Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The 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, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict 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 pummel Hezbollah before the ceasefire takes hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. There appeared to be some lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement after it was presented by 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. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt. 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. 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.” The ceasefire 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 troopsand U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. 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.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. 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," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it says are Hezbollah targets across Lebanon as the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — 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. 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. 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 on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its 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. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed.
I've hand-picked the 42 top deals worth buying from the Best Buy Black Friday saleLINCOLN – The clock trickled down in the fourth quarter, and Central Valley coach Chip Bartos called timeout. His starters got together and placed their helmets on the bench. Their services would no longer be needed. “Not to brag, but we’re up by a lot, we trust our younger kids, they put up a good fight with us at practice; they pushed us really hard this year,” Central Valley senior Zaden Wolf said. “We put the helmets up, that’s how we know we got it. That last feeling, and it just feels amazing.” For the first time in program history, Central Valley won a state championship as it defeated Riverside 52-12 for the Class D-2 crown. The Central Valley football team holds up the trophy after winning the Class D-2 state championship on Monday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Central Valley and Riverside are familiar with each other. They’re 22 miles away from each other, just a trip down Highway 56. The players and coaches see each other at fairs, track meets, baseball games, and some players even joined forces in fifth and sixth grade to play football. But on Monday, they were on opposite sides, on the biggest stage of all at Memorial Stadium with a championship on the line. “Close proximity and then that relationship of playing youth football together, it’s pretty special,” Bartos said. Central Valley won the coin toss before the game and elected to receive. It wanted the ball and to put the first points on the board. The Cougars marched down the field on their first drive. It took five plays to get in the end zone on a 21-yard run by sophomore Luke Shoemaker, who’d stepped up in big moments all season long. He saw his role improve dramatically after senior Grady Kelly got hurt three games into the regular season after he ran for 2,006 yards as a junior. Central Valley football head coach Chip Bartos gets water dumped on him after the Cougars won the Class D-2 state championship in Lincoln on Monday. “It was really great to have him grow and mature as a sophomore, and it looks like our future’s bright at running back for the next couple of years,” Bartos said. For Central Valley the journey to this moment started when its season was cut short of its goal last season in a 28-22 loss to South Loup in the quarterfinals. “We took that loss last year and that heartbreak and we really used it as motivation for us to not have that feeling again. The kids did just that when they came into the postseason with extra determination, extra motivation to do everything in their power for us to be successful,” Bartos said. “I really like this feeling. It’s a pretty special feeling.” But the dream of winning a state championship was formed many years ago for those that wore Navy jerseys Monday morning. “Football is my life. It means so much to me. I’ve dreamt of it since I can remember anything,” Wolf said. “Me and my friends, we’ve always talked about it and it would be so cool, so cool, so cool. We just didn’t realize it could really happen until this year, we had a real shot.” Central Valley's Grady Kelly holds off Riverside's Trevor Carraher during the Class D-2 state championship game on Monday in Lincoln. The writing was on the wall early on in the season as Central Valley was ranked as the No. 1 team in Class D-2 by the Omaha World-Herald. It held that spot until the very end and will head back to Greeley with the state championship trophy. Central Valley and Riverside met in week one, with the Cougars winning by a score of 50-42. In week three, Central Valley lost to Stanton, the defending Class D-1 state champ who was playing in the D-1 title game, in a matchup that was much closer than the score suggested. After that the Cougars waltzed through the rest of the regular season undeterred by the one in the loss column. They scored over 50 points in all but two games all season. When the playoffs came, Central Valley was ready and first beat Elm Creek 62-8, then St. Mary’s 72-26. In the quarterfinals Central Valley beat Wynot 44-6 and in the semifinals it left no doubt against previously undefeated and No. 1 seed Archangels Catholic with a 50-8 win. Riverside's Adam Glaser rushes the ball against Central Valley during the Class D-2 state championship game on Monday in Lincoln. “Boston Wood told me that every playoff game this year was (a) running clock,” Wolf said. “That’s just really special, it shows a lot about us how hard we’re going in that first half.” Monday was no different as Central Valley imposed its will early and often and jumped out to a 24-0 lead after the first quarter. “It was a great start,” Bartos said. The points kept coming for Central Valley, which took a 46-6 lead at halftime and led 46-0 at one point. Wolf had an unforgettable first half with three rushing touchdowns and finished the game with 153 yards on the ground. His longest run of the day was a 60-yard touchdown down the left side. He finished the run past the temporary eight-man end zone and ran into the “HUSKERS” lettering, where he’d seen touchdowns scored by those who’d played in state championships before him. Central Valley's Grady Kelly holds off Riverside defenders during the Class D-2 state championship game on Monday in Lincoln. “I come here every year to watch state football, and I’m like, ‘It’d be so nice to play on that field.’ And it happened and it is the greatest feeling ever,” Wolf said. The defense came out and dominated from the start for Central Valley as Riverside was unable to get much momentum. Cougars flocked to the Chargers ball carriers every play and by the end had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns by Gunnar Vanosdall and Wood. “That’s pretty special that we were able to get the hands on the ball, get pressure on the quarterback and make big plays like that,” Bartos said. “The offense got us going and then the defense maintained it for the rest of the game.” Riverside’s journey to the championship was a memorable one. After it lost week one to Central Valley, it won two straight before it ran into Archangels Catholic. The Chargers wouldn’t lose again until Monday as the team rattled off eight straight wins and put big numbers on the scoreboard. They were playing as well as anyone in the state. Riverside coach Cory Valasek has been alongside the senior class since it was in middle school. “They mean a lot to me. I’m gonna miss these guys,” Valasek said, fighting back tears. He helped guide them past Winside, then Creighton, beat Sandhills/Thedford in the quarterfinals 73-50 after being down at halftime. In the semifinals, Riverside beat Bruning-Davenport/Shickley 50-20 and celebrated its trip to Lincoln with fireworks and surrounded by those close to them. Riverside's Jack Molt rushes the ball against Central Valley during the Class D-2 state championship game on Monday in Lincoln. “I’m super proud of them. The way they bought into everything we did. Wish it could’ve ended different than it did. I can’t be more proud of how they’ve been leaders for our program,” Valasek said. “They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do. They bought in and done it to the best of their ability. I’m just super proud of these guys.” Kelly, who came back in time for the playoffs, was ready for the biggest and last game of his high school career. He ran for 92 yards and a touchdown and went out on top alongside some of his closest friends. “Ending my career with a state championship is really something special,” Kelly said. “This team has really become a brotherhood, and I’m really going to miss these guys.” As the minutes ticked down and the inevitable became a reality. Central Valley’s fans that were regulars at home games in Wolbach got loud. There was no parking lot on top of a hill to back trucks into and watch the game from the bed of the tailgates, but Memorial Stadium would do. The players egged them on after shaking hands with those from Riverside. The chants and cheers continued. Players were awarded their medals and were met with hugs from Bartos and the coaching staff. After pictures and some interviews, the players and coaches celebrated with those who’d supported them all season. “Yesterday we had the entire main street packed with cars and stuff, like it’s a great support system around this community in this program and it’s a great place to be at,” Bartos said. “I’m just proud that our kids and this group can bring back a state championship.” The Cwntral Valley football team poses for a team photo after beating Riverside in the Class D-2 state championship game on Monday in Lincoln. Central Valley 52, Riverside 12 Riverside;0;6;6;0 Central Valley;24;22;6;0 First Quarter CV – Luke Shoemaker 21-yard run (2-pt good), 9:58. CV – Zaden Wolf 41-yard run (2-pt good), 5:37. CV – Zaden Wolf 60-yard run (2-pt good), 3:22. Second Quarter CV – Grady Kelly 1-yard run, 11:25. CV – Zaden Wolf 9-yard run (2-pt good), 8:39. CV – Gunner Vanosdal 33-yard interception return (2-pt good), 7:46. RIV – Dane Schalk 11-yard reception from Larry Diessner, 4:33. Third Quarter CV – Boston Wood 68-yard interception return, 4:52. RIV – Dane Schalk 8-yard reception from Larry Diessner, 1:20. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing: R, Adam Glaser 9-70, Jack Molt 9-44, Brady Carraher 1-6, Diessner 16-1. CV, Wolf 13-153, Kelly 15-92, Shoemaker 4-38, Ky Cargill 1-2. Passing: R, Diessner 11-26-3 113, Molt 1-2-0 (-)1. CV, Wolf 1-3-0 6, Lane Foltz 0-1-1 0. Receiving: R, Schalk 4-48, Nicholas Berger 4-44, Trevor Carraher 3-7, Molt 1-13. CV, Wood 1-6. Fumble recoveries: CV, Soto, Straka. Interceptions: R, Dodds 1-2. CV, Wood 2-73, Vanosdal 1-33. Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sports Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Farage: Badenoch must apologise for ‘crazy conspiracy theory’ on Reform numbers
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