Israeli strike in Gaza kills 23 as Arab mediators seek long-term truce

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An overnight Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City has killed 23 people and set tents ablaze, burning people alive. Arab mediators are meanwhile working on a proposal to end the war with Hamas that would include a five-to-seven year truce and the release of all remaining hostages. France, Germany and Britain say Israel’s seven-week blockade on all imports to Gaza is “intolerable.” That’s unusually strong criticism from three of the country’s closest allies. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Hamas to release the hostages in order to “block Israel’s pretexts” for continuing the war.

A magnitude 6.2 quake shakes Istanbul and injures more than 230 people

ISTANBUL (AP) — An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 has shaken Istanbul and other areas in Turkey. The quake prompted widespread panic and scores of injuries in Istanbul, though there were no immediate reports of serious damage. More than 230 people were hospitalized with injuries sustained while attempting to flee buildings on Wednesday. There were several aftershocks, including one measuring 5.9. Turkey lies on two major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake in February 2023, followed by a powerful tremor hours later, killed over 53,000 people and destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings.

Trump says Zelenskyy is prolonging war in Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Donald Trump has lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once more. Trump says Zelenskyy is prolonging the ‘killing field’ after the Ukrainian leader pushed back on ceding Crimea to Russia as part of a potential peace plan. Zelenskyy on Tuesday ruled out the idea of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia as part of any potential peace agreement. Talks are set for Wednesday in London among U.S., European and Ukrainian officials. During similar talks last week in Paris, U.S. officials presented a proposal that included allowing Russia to keep control of occupied Ukrainian territory as part of a deal. That’s according to a European official.

India suspends water treaty and downgrades ties with Pakistan

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — India has downgraded its diplomatic ties with Pakistan and suspended a water-sharing treaty with the rival neighbor, blaming Islamabad for the previous day’s attack by gunmen that killed 26 people in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, announced the move at a news conference in New Delhi after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a special security cabinet meeting late Wednesday. Misri said India was suspending the Indus Water Treaty “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.” At least 26 people were killed and 17 others wounded when gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists Tuesday. India describes militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism. Pakistan denies the allegation.