Syria’s president declared a ceasefire after nearly a week of sectarian bloodshed in the south, but civilians said there was no let-up in the violence.

Israel last week attacked the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, killing three people and wounding 10 others, according to the parish priest.

Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking on Sunday after his Angelus prayer, he urged the international community to respect humanitarian laws and protect civilians.

By Laila Bassam DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Sectarian clashes escalated in Syria's predominantly Druze region of Sweida on Saturday, with machinegun fire and mortar shelling ringing out after days of bloodshed as the Islamist-led government struggled to implement a ceasefire.

Armed Bedouin tribes withdrew from the southern Syrian province of Sweida on Sunday, following a week of bloody factional fighting with Druze militias that has threatened to unravel Syria’s postwar transition.

The Israeli military has issued new evacuation warnings for central Gaza, an area where ground operations have been rare.

Congo and Rwanda-backed rebels on Saturday signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end decades-long fighting in eastern Congo that commits them to a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive peace agreement to be signed in one month.

At an online meet, leaders of 24 opposition parties finalised a joint strategy to corner the Centre over at least eight issues in the monsoon session.

The official proclamation showing that July 18 is now known as "Ceasefire Indy Day" in honor of activist Ron Gee. Frieson said, "My dad was seen, that his voice was heard, and I hope to be like him someday. She came up with a new campaign too using a catchphrase kids say all the time.