Egypt says negotiations between Israel and Hamas have begun

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Egypt says negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire have begun in Cairo. Egypt’s state information service said officials from Israel, Qatar and the U.S. on Thursday started “intensive discussions” on the second phase of the ceasefire. Earlier in the day, an Israeli official had said its military will not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip. The pullout was part of the ceasefire and Israel’s refusal could spark a crisis with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce.

At least 11 dead in Congo after blasts at M23 rebel leaders’ rally, rebels say

BUKAVU, Congo (AP) — At least 11 people have been killed and scores injured in the eastern Congo city of Bukavu where explosions struck a rally held by leaders of the M23 rebel group that took control of the city earlier this month. Rebel leaders are blaming the bombing on Congo’s government and say attackers were among those killed in the blasts. There have conflicting reports among rebels and local officials about the number of attackers and victims. Congo’s president blamed the attack on unspecified “foreign” forces. Corneille Nangaa, the leader of the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 group, says the blasts killed 11 people and injured 65, six of them seriously.

Kurdish leader Ocalan issues message from prison

ISTANBUL (AP) — Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan has called on his militant group to lay down its arms and dissolve as part of a bid to end a four-decade long conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Ocalan issued the message from his prison on an island off Istanbul on Thursday. He said that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK should hold a congress and decide to disband. The 75-year-old Ocalan said that “all groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself.” The latest peace efforts began in October when Erdogan’s coalition partner suggested that Ocalan could be granted parole if the PKK renounces violence and disbands.

Suspected Islamic extremist charged in deadly German knife attack

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s top prosecutor has charged a suspected Islamic extremist with murder, attempted murder and membership in a terrorist organization abroad in connection with a deadly knife attack last year at a festival in the western German city of Solingen. The violence on Aug. 24 left three people dead and 10 wounded at a festival marking the city’s 650th anniversary. Prosecutors previously said the alleged perpetrator shared the radical ideology of the Islamic State extremist group. The group later claimed responsibility. The suspect was only identified as Issa Al H. in accordance with German privacy rules.