Hamas / Israel / Middle East…1/29/2025…More Israeli hostages to be Released…IDF in West Bank…New Syria Govt…..

Abdelghani said Sharaa will be president during a “transitional phase,” without clarifying further.

Syria’s parliament was also dissolved, Abdelghani said, adding that the president will form a temporary legislative council until a new constitution enters into effect. He gave no time frame for that to occur.

Syria’s new president was previously the leader of Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, a group the U.S. government considers a terrorist organization. Sharaa was formerly known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.

Abdelghani also said former president Bashar al-Assad’s Baath Party will be dissolved, along with all affiliated institutions and organizations. “Their reformation under any other name is prohibited, and all their assets will revert to the Syrian state,” he said.

Here’s what else to know

• In a visit to the West Bank city of Jenin on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel has “declared war on Palestinian terrorism in Judea and Samaria,” referring to the West Bank. “After the operation is completed, the [Israel Defense Forces] will remain in the camp to ensure that terrorism does not return,” he added, referring to the refugee camp in Jenin.
• More than 375,000 people have returned to northern Gaza since Monday, according to estimates cited by the U.N. humanitarian agency. Allowing residents to return to the north was a key demand of Hamas during negotiations ahead of the ceasefire agreement.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making calls as the Trump administration ramps up its diplomacy efforts in the region. Rubio spoke Tuesday with Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as well as Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, according to the State Department. Rubio spoke to Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Monday.
• Israel has received a list of the hostages set to be released Thursday under its ceasefire with Hamas, the Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement. The list “aligns” with the arrangement agreed upon in the deal, according to the statement….

More….

The Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS)-led interim Syrian government held a “victory conference” on January 29, during which it formalized much of its consolidation of power since the fall of Bashar al Assad. The conference announced the appointment of HTS leader Ahmed al Shara as the transitional president, though has informally been the de-factor of the interim government for months. Shara is now responsible for forming an interim legislative council until a new constitution is drafted and approved, according to the conference