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JERUSALEM — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” Netanyahu's office later said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but "reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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Green scores 20 as Rhode Island downs Detroit Mercy 81-75
Lewandowski joins Ronaldo and Messi in the Champions League century club with goal No. 100Need help with filling out your fantasy football lineups for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season? It's an important part of the year ahead of the fantasy playoffs, so every decision becomes more crucial. Vinnie Iyer is here for you again, back with another edition of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit ‘em advice. Let's get into breaking down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good price values to target in DFS. Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks Regular starts Stronger starts 9. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (vs. LAC): He should be busy chucking against a team with a good run defense and Herbert lighting it up. 10. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. CLE): He keeps crushing at home, and the Browns will oblige on Monday night. 11. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at JAX): Stroud has the best possible matchup to get back on track big time. 12. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): He should be busy working off play-action to battle Burrow. 13. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI): Goff needs the run to work to play well, and he should be motivated to stop a division rival after last year's Thanksgiving loss to the Packers. 14. Anthony Richardson, Colts (at NE): Richardson should have his way passing downfield and running on the Patriots. 15. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU): Should he return after the bye, he can rebound with an adjusted offense vs. a bad pass defense. 16. Drake Maye, New England Patriots (vs. IND): He should see some things open up all over the field at home vs. the Colts' defense. WEEK 13 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers DFS pick Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (vs. TB, $4,700 on DraftKings, $6,600 on FanDuel): Let's try this again on the Buccaneers as Young is coming off a 16.5-point DK effort against the Chiefs at home. And Tampa Bay offers the best possible passing matchup in what should be another negative game script. There's an easier path to 3X or 4X value than other QBs given those prices. Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks Weaker starts 17. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs. MIA): The Packers should stay run-oriented and win with that and defense on Thursday. 18. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at MIN): He's been a roller coaster, especially on the road against tougher defenses. 19. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (at GB): He has been ripping bad teams in good weather of late, and the Packers offer neither. 20. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI): Darnold might be sucked into more of a defensive-minded matchup at home with Murray. 21. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at NO): Stafford should also see the running game and defense being much more effective on the road. 22. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (at NYJ): It is a revenge game, but he needs help from the running game and defense to win on the road in weather. 23. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (at DET): Don't chase the points from the home game vs. the Vikings given the Lions' defense is getting better every week, and this is a tough, short-week road game. DOMINATE YOUR NFL PICKS POOL Sign up for free ATS and straight up picks advice on NFL pick'em with PoolGenius Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Running backs Regular starts Stronger starts 24. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR): Irving should smash on the road as a rising rookie. 25. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. IND): He should rebound with more regular volume in an even or positive game script. 26. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR): He should be deployed with Irving as their preferred dynamic duo (forget about Sean Tucker). 27. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): Warren should find some room to rumble often on the outside. 28. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (at DEN): Chubb should stay hot with a big workload to take pressure off the passing game. 29. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): Harris should get a solid workload with a good chance for a short TD. Week 13 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE Stock Watch | Sleepers | Busts DFS Picks Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at NE, $6,900 on DraftKings, $7,900 on FanDuel): Taylor has downright stunk of late because of not getting enough volume in the 1-2 punch of bad matchups and negative game scripts. Here's being mainstream contrarian by saying he's needed a spot like this to get well, and he has a strong history vs. the Patriots' defense. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,700 on FanDuel): He looked great vs. the Bears coming on strong late in the season again, and he can rip into the Cardinals' shaky run defense at home. Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Running backs Weaker starts 30. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (if he plays, at ATL): This matchup is really tough, and that knee is a concern on a short week. 31. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. TEN): The Titans just shut down Mixon, so you can't trust him with an injury. 32. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV): You cannot be sure of his post-injury touches with Hunt playing so well if he finally returns. 33. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU): You can't go here against this run defense, not knowing his workload running or receiving. 34. Ameer Abdullah, Las Vegas Raiders (at KC): Whoever's the healthiest Raiders back should be avoided in this brutal Black Friday matchup. 35. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. CLE): He probably will randomly go off this week... or not. This also goes for trying to play Audric Estime... or Jaleel McLaughlin. Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Wide receivers Regular starts Stronger starts 32. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (vs. LAR): He should be busy stretching the field as their default No.1. wide receiver. 33. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (at WAS): All he does is make big plays and score for Will Levis. 34. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL): Johnston should get in on the fun as he and McConkey can rip the Falcons' cornerbacks. 35. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. SF): Shakir can destroy them in the slot often. 36. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ARI): He's hot for Darnold, and the USC-USC connection continues. 37. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV): He should hop into the end zone once on Black Friday. 38. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills (vs. SF): He should return and also do well outside. 39. Tank Dell, Houston Texans (at JAX): He should deliver here as the passing game has a much-needed bounce-back. Week 13 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE Full Waiver Wire Recommendations | How to Spend FAAB | Top Waiver Targets DFS picks Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. LAC, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): London's size and strength can give the Chargers some problems all over the field as Cousins peppers him with high-leverage volume in what can be a high-scoring affair. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU, $5,500 on DraftKings, $6,700 on FanDuel): Thomas should dominate targets after the bye and is playable regardless of the quarterback because the Texans will have trouble slowing him down through a lot of key targets. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (at NE), $5,200 on DraftKings, $6,600 on FanDuel): Josh Downs is hurting and is iffy for the game, and Pittman resurfaced for a big game at the right time vs. the Lions. Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers Weaker starts 40. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI): That big outside play won't be coming in this spot. 41. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (at BUF): He's hard to trust anymore, especially with an iffy QB sitch and a bad matchup on the road. 42. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (at DEN): This goes for all their wide receivers against Pat Surtain and the Broncos. 43. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (at GB): Don't chase the randomness of last week given his previous usage. 44. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (at DET): Not in the slot vs. these guys. 45. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (at DET): Only Moore is playable here. 46. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (at KC): See Waddle, Jaylen. 47. DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (vs. IND): This is actually tougher for him inside than for the tight ends and outside wideouts. Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Tight ends Must starts Stronger starts 11. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (at GB): He's been very consistent of late and is an integral part of the adjusted passing game. 12. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. IND): He has gone off before against them and has a solid floor in the matchup. 13. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN): He's made a case to be busier for Wilson, and it happens in a great matchup. 14. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (at BAL): He should make several plays in what should be an offensive explosion for the visitors. 15. Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL): He can get the job done with Herbert, going back and forth with Cousins and Pitts. 16. Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG): The numbers say no, but he is a key part of the offense with Jake Ferguson out and Rush has good chemistry with him. DFS pick Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN, $3,500 on DraftKings, $5,100 on FanDuel): Muth came to life with a few more big plays vs. the Browns, and the Bengals have been very giving to the tight end position. Expect Wilson to look more his way playing off the deep threat of Pickens for good ROI. Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Tight ends Weaker starts 17. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at PHI): He should be quieted with the Eagles' inside coverage rolling. 18. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (vs. MIA): He scored last week, but not much else happened, so no. 19. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. CHI): He's just not getting the looks from last season. 20. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (if he plays, vs. SF): Fred Warner is a tough draw, and we'll see about the knee. 21. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (at DET): Nyet on Kmet again because the Lions are nasty on tight ends. 22. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. TEN): The Titans are tough everywhere on receivers such as this. Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Defense/special teams Stronger starts 9. Los Angeles Rams (at NO): They should return to making more plays on the road while not facing the Eagles. 10. Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG): They get Tommy DeVito to go after at home on a short week. 11. New York Giants (at DAL): Their defense is built well to handle the compressed offense around Cooper Rush. 12. Buffalo Bills (vs. SF): The 49ers face a tough road night game with Brock Purdy uncertain to go. 13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at CAR): The Panthers should make enough mistakes to make this a worthy back-end D. 14. Seattle Seahawks (at NYJ): They crushed the Cardinals at home last week, and they can take advantage of some Jets dysfunction. DFS pick Los Angeles Rams (at NO), $2,700 on DraftKings, $4,500 on FanDuel): The Eagles' result will have many shying away, but the Saints on the road is a different story as the sacks and takeaways can happen to make them viable vs. Derek Carr. Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Defenses Weaker starts 15. Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL): You can't go here in a game that should have plenty of passing and points. 16. Arizona Cardinals (at MIN): The Cardinals aren't good on the road defensively, either. 17. Cleveland Browns (at DEN): Not with the way Nix and the Broncos' offense is performing at home. 18. Miami Dolphins (at GB) : Love can turn it over, but the Dolphins also can get run over. 19. Philadelphia Eagles (at BAL): Find a big pivot this week vs. Lamar. 20. New York Jets (vs. SEA): They're not trustworthy against better offenses. Get more of Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer's Week 13 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast .