Newspapers highlight attacks in Homs, Ukraine negotiations, assassination of Hezbollah commander

International newspapers today focused on the violence that struck the Syrian city of Homs, the ongoing US–Ukraine negotiations, and the assassination of a high-ranking Hezbollah figure.

Alawite homes torched in new sectarian attacks in Homs

Residents of Homs told the UAE-based newspaper The National that Bedouin gunmen set fire to homes belonging to members of the Alawite community, in retaliation for the killing of a married couple from the Bani Khaled tribe by unidentified assailants. It marks the latest wave of sectarian violence in Syria.

Cars were also set ablaze in the mixed al-Muhajireen neighborhood in eastern Homs, near the crime scene, though the extent of the damage remains unclear.

According to the paper, this latest flare-up represents another setback for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which took power after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad’s government, and the country has since seen several mass killings targeting Alawites and Druze in multiple regions.

One resident told the newspaper that the motive behind the couple’s murder is still unknown, adding that tensions were “easily ignited” due to longstanding disputes over property and business predating the war, as well as the city’s proximity to major smuggling routes into Lebanon.

The paper noted that killings and enforced disappearances of Alawites are still ongoing along the coast and in central and western Syria.

Progress in US–Ukraine negotiations

Ukrainian and American officials told The New York Times that significant progress was made Sunday in Geneva during talks on a controversial US plan to end the war with Russia, despite President Donald Trump’s attacks on Ukraine and accusations that its leadership is insufficiently grateful.

Trump has given Kyiv a deadline until Thursday to respond to the 28-point plan, which many Ukrainians initially described as a “surrender,” due to the major concessions it offers to Moscow. In a joint statement, both sides said “much has been accomplished” and that an “updated and revised peace framework” has been drawn up.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two teams were working through the plan “point by point” and that the gaps were narrowing, expressing optimism that a deal could be reached. He added that Russia, too, “has a say” in any agreement.

For his part, Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian delegation, emphasized “significant progress” in the talks.

Israel assassinates Tabatabai in biggest strike against Hezbollah since ceasefire

The Israeli Air Force carried out its most forceful attack against Hezbollah since the November 2024 ceasefire on Sunday, targeting a secret facility in the heart of Beirut and killing the group’s military commander and deputy secretary-general, Ali Tabatabai, along with four other members, according to Israel and Hezbollah, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government said the decision to assassinate Tabatabai followed recommendations from the defense minister and army chief, after a year of less aggressive measures failed to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding its arsenal, which still includes tens of thousands of rockets.

While Israeli strikes during the past year typically targeted field operatives near the border, hitting such a high-profile figure in Beirut marks a major escalation and could prompt a response from Hezbollah, though no immediate indications of retaliation have emerged.

American officials confirmed they were not informed in advance of the strike, despite previous Israeli claims to the contrary. Netanyahu stressed that Israel acts with full independence in its national security decisions, even though Washington had pressed for several ceasefire deals during the war.

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