South Korea expressed hope Thursday for a diplomatic solution for peace and stability in the Middle East, following the announcement on the ceasefire deal committing to pausing the war in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli government on Friday approved a cease-fire deal with Hamas that will see the release of all hostages held by the Palestinian group after more than seven hours of debate, local media reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office postponed a cabinet meeting to approve a cease-fire and hostage release deal with Hamas indefinitely, accusing the group of going back on parts of the agreement.

Among GCC countries, Qatar ranks second after the UAE, which holds 10th place with visa-free access to 185 destinations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says his Cabinet won’t meet to approve the agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages until Hamas backs down,

Law enforcement authorities have requested a warrant to formally arrest impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is spending his third day at a detention center after his lawyers failed in a last-minute attempt to secure his release.

South Korean police detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday local time, ABC News confirmed.

Yoon’s detention, after a tense standoff outside the presidential residence, marks the latest chapter in a bewildering series of events since his martial law decree.

A South Korean court granted on Sunday an extension of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s detention, saying there was “concern” that Yoon could “destroy evidence” in a criminal probe related to his short-lived declaration of martial law in early December.

Lawyers for South Korea’s impeached president say he will appear at a hearing in a Seoul court to oppose a formal arrest over last month’s imposition of martial law.

The 31st FIBA Asia Cup is set in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 5-17 and so far, seven countries, including the Philippines, have qualified. There’s still a third qualifying window in the schedule but it’ll be no-bearing for Gilas.