Talks for a two-month truce in Gaza appear to have stalled, with disagreements over aid distribution and unresolved questions about a permanent cessation of hostilities.

Humanitarian officials see a pattern of Israel retaliating against those who criticize its conduct in Gaza and toward Palestinians.

The fires, estimated to be the worst in Israel’s history, began Wednesday, marring Israel’s Memorial Day, a solemn occasion, as well as Independence Day, which began Wednesday night.

Israel threatened to escalate attacks on Syrian government forces unless they withdrew from Sweida, a southern province dominated by the country’s Druse minority.

Israel has bombed the entrance of the Syrian defense ministry in Damascus amid clashes between the government security forces and Druze armed groups

The fires, estimated to be the worst in Israel’s history, began Wednesday, marring Israel’s Memorial Day, a solemn occasion, as well as Independence Day, which began Wednesday night.

Despite Israel's recent military gains and a rapidly changing Middle East, Lebanon remains wary of making peace with its long-time enemy, at least for now.

A large forest fire broke out in the Jerusalem Hills on Wednesday afternoon, with multiple firefighting teams responding at the location, Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority confirmed. Reports of a fire were first received at 5:30 p.m., the authority added.