Hamas demands pressure on Israel over Gaza ceasefire agreement
On August 16 (local time), according to TASS news agency, Hamas called on mediators and the Peace Council to put pressure on Israel to implement its commitments in the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and to agree to move to phase 2 of the peace plan.
After the talks in El Alamein, Hamas announced that it accepted the "proposed roadmap" but did not disclose the specific content. The meeting was attended by Hamas representatives, Mr. Jared Kushner - son-in-law of US President Donald Trump - along with intermediary parties Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, senior representative of the Gaza Peace Council, also attended.
According to quoted sources, Hamas wants the weapons of the forces supporting this movement to continue to be maintained in Gaza, while the US requires the removal of these weapons from the Gaza Strip.
In October 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement with the mediation of the United States, Egypt and Qatar. The agreement consists of 3 phases, of which the first phase includes ceasing hostilities, handing over detainees, increasing humanitarian aid and withdrawing part of Israeli forces. The next phases aim to end the conflict, withdraw Israeli forces and rebuild Gaza.
President Trump directs downsizing military exercises with South Korea
US President Donald Trump said he had directed Secretary of State for War Pete Hegseth to significantly reduce the scale of joint military exercises between the US and South Korea.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr. Trump commented that the exercises are costly and send "hostile signals" to North Korea. He also reiterated the relationship that he described as "very good" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The US President said that completely canceling the exercises at the present time is not feasible, but has requested a significant reduction in scale. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise is scheduled to begin on August 17 and last until August 27.
Russia claims to have shot down nearly 1,500 UAVs in 24 hours
According to Xinhua news agency, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that the country's air defense forces have shot down 1,478 fixed-wing UAVs in 24 hours. Russia also announced the interception of 14 guided bombs, a US-made HIMARS projectile and 9 Flamingo long-range cruise missiles.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that about 600 UAVs tried to attack the Moscow area from the night of August 15 to the morning of August 16 (Moscow time). About 1/3 of the UAVs approached the suburbs before being intercepted and destroyed, injuring 3 civilians.
In the city of Gorlovka in the Donetsk region, local leader Denis Pushilin said one person was killed and 10 civilians, including a child, were injured in UAV attacks on August 16.
