Syria's Assad is now in Moscow, Russian state media says

The Syrian government collapsed after a surprise rebel offensive.

ByDavid Brennan, Julia Reinstein, Ivan Pereira, and Jack Moore
Last Updated: December 9, 2024, 4:23 AM EST

Rebel forces in Syria captured the capital Damascus and toppled the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country.

As Assad resigned and fled Syria, rebel forces moved into Damascus as citizens celebrated there and in the streets of Aleppo, where the rebel offensive began 11 days ago.

Meanwhile, the ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group.

The Israel Defense Forces continued its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza, particularly in the north of the devastated Palestinian territory.

Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Dec 05, 2024, 4:15 AM EST

Amnesty accuses Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza

Amnesty International released a new report Thursday accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip amid its ongoing war with Hamas.

Israel, Amnesty alleged, has sought to intentionally destroy Palestinians via direct attacks, the destruction of vital infrastructure and the prevention of food, medicine and other aid deliveries.

A boy stands on the rubble of a building after an Israeli strike in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on Dec. 5, 2024.
Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli conduct, the report suggested, cannot be justified by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel, or the presence of Palestinian militants among civilians in Gaza.

"Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this is genocide. It must stop now," Agnes Callamard, the secretary general of Amnesty International, said.

Israel's Foreign Ministry rejected the report as "fabricated," "entirely false and based on lies." In a statement to X, the ministry said Amnesty was a "deplorable and fanatical organization."

"The genocidal massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, was carried out by the Hamas terrorist organization against Israeli citizens," the ministry wrote. "Since then, Israeli citizens have been subjected to daily attacks from seven different fronts."

"Israel is defending itself against these attacks acting fully in accordance with international law," it added.

The ministry also shared an image of a bloodied room which it said was a photo of a child's bedroom immediately after Oct. 7. The image, the ministry said, "tells you everything you need to know about Amnesty's report."

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman and Zoe Magee

Dec 04, 2024, 1:57 PM EST

Body of Israeli hostage recovered in Gaza

Israeli forces have recovered the body of Israeli hostage Itay Svirsky from Gaza, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Svirsky was declared dead in January. His parents were also killed on Oct. 7.

As of Wednesday, 96 hostages remain in Gaza, 34 of whom have been confirmed dead.

This undated photo provided by the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters shows the late Itay Svirsky who was taken hostage alive in the Oct.7, 2023 Hamas' attack.
Hostages Families Forum Headquarters via AP

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Dec 04, 2024, 1:57 PM EST

At least 20 killed in strike outside Khan Younis

At least 20 people were killed in a large strike in Al-Mawasi, west of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

A camp where displaced people were staying was hit in the attack, injuring many. A search and rescue operation is underway.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

Dec 04, 2024, 1:42 PM EST

IDF confirms another strike in southern Lebanon

After warning people this morning to stay away from southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said they had carried out a strike in Majdal Zoun on a rocket launcher they said violated the ceasefire.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

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