The United States will deploy 200 troops as part of a joint task force for Gaza stability, with no Americans on the ground in the Palestinian enclave, two senior US officials said on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump held a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday morning, a day after announcing that the “first phase” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas would begin soon.

A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake jolted the Mindanao region of the Philippines on Friday. The seismic event originated at a considerable depth of 62 kilometers, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. This significant tremor has raised concerns across the affected area, prompting immediate attention and further investigation into its impact.