JERUSALEM -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the establishment of a new government directorate to promote the "voluntary departure" of Gaza's Palestinian population, the Defense Ministry said Monday.

Consisting of representatives from different government ministries and security agencies, the directorate will operate within the Defense Ministry and be "dedicated to facilitating" the departure process, according to a statement from the ministry. (Israel-Government Body-Palestinian Departure)

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BEIRUT -- Lebanon's cabinet approved a ministerial statement on Monday asserting the "exclusive state control over arms," amid long-standing tensions over Hezbollah's independent military presence, the National News Agency reported.

The statement declares the government as the sole entity authorized to possess weapons and enforce security in the country. (Lebanon-State-Arms Control)

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DAMASCUS -- A powerful explosion shook neighborhoods in the city of Hama on Monday, with thick plumes of smoke rising from the western part of the city, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor.

The cause of the blast remains unclear, and there has been no immediate confirmation from local authorities regarding casualties or damage. (Syria-Explosion-Hama)

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RIYADH -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh on Monday for talks with Saudi officials, focusing on a controversial U.S. proposal for Gaza, as part of his first Middle East tour as the top U.S. diplomat.

Rubio's trip to Saudi Arabia followed U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to "take over" Gaza and relocate millions of Palestinians from the besieged enclave. (Saudi Arabia-US-Russia-Talks) Enditem

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