Bill and Melinda Gates attend a debate on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in Brussels January 22, 2015. — Reuters
Melinda French Gates has spoken publicly about the renewed attention on her previous marriage after her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, was named in newly released files linked to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, BBC reported.
Speaking on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, Melinda said the disclosures had brought back “very painful times” from her marriage and left her with a deep sense of sadness. She said she was relieved to have moved on from that period of her life, adding that any unanswered questions raised by the files should be addressed by those named in them.
“For me, it’s personally hard whenever those details come up,” she said, noting that she no longer wished to be associated with the controversy.
The couple divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage.
“I am so happy to be away from all the muck,” she added.
The comments follow the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice related to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The files include references to a wide network of powerful figures from business, politics and entertainment.
Bill is mentioned in some of the records, including emails said to have been drafted by Epstein, one of which contains an unverified and strongly denied claim referring to a “sexually transmitted disease”.
However, there is no evidence that the messages were ever sent, and Bill has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing. His spokesperson has strongly denied the claims contained in the documents, describing them as false and misleading.
In statements to the media, Bill acknowledged that meeting Epstein had been a mistake but said the interactions were limited to a small number of dinners and that he had no involvement in Epstein’s illegal activities. He has also said he never visited Epstein’s private island and regrets any association with him.
Melinda said she would not speak on her former husband’s actions, stressing that responsibility lay with those directly involved. “They need to answer to those things, not me,” she said.
The latest file release has again highlighted Epstein’s extensive contacts, many of whom have faced renewed scrutiny despite no formal allegations being made against them.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a seventh term, becoming the latest Republican lawmaker to step aside amid a growing wave of GOP retirements ahead of the next election cycle.
Loudermilk released a statement announcing his retirement, saying it has been a “tremendous honor” to represent the people of Northwest Georgia for six terms.
He also said that during his tenure, he focused on upholding the U.S. Constitution and representing the 11th Congressional District.
“I first ran for election to Congress in 2014 and, as I stated then, representing the people in Congress is a service, not a career; and although I continue to have strong support from the people of the 11th Congressional District, I believe it is time to contribute to my community, state, and nation in other ways,” he said. “Therefore, I have decided not to seek reelection at the end of my current term in Congress.”
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., speaks during a House Select Subcommittee on Jan. 6th hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Jan. 14, 2026 in Washington, DC.(Getty Images)
Loudermilk said he learned throughout his life that doing what is right is not always easy, popular or convenient, and that he and his wife prayed and discussed the decision extensively.
“This is not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one,” he said. “While serving my constituents in Congress ranks among my greatest honors, being a husband, a father and a grandfather holds even greater importance to me, and at this time I wish to spend more dedicated time with my family.”
He concluded by thanking the people of his district for allowing him to serve, as well as his staff for their “outstanding service” to the district, state and nation.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., chairs the House Administration Committee Subcommittee on Oversight hearing on “Oversight of the U.S. Capitol Police Office of Inspector General” on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.(Getty Images )
Loudermilk’s decision comes as lawmakers in both parties consider the toll of another election cycle, with redistricting, an early primary calendar and an increasingly national political climate influencing decisions ahead of the next midterm elections.
Loudermilk is at least the 29th Republican to announce plans not to seek re-election at the end of the current term, part of a broader wave of departures from the House. Twenty-one House Democrats have also announced they will not seek re-election.
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., attends the House Ways and Means Committee markup of the reconciliation directive of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 in the Longworth House Office Building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.(Bill Clark/Getty Images)
Last Tuesday, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., said he would not seek re-election, ending a two-decade career in Washington at age 74.
“After 20 years of service, I believe it’s the right time to pass the torch and begin a new chapter in my life,” Buchanan said in a statement.
Myron Medcalf covers college basketball for ESPN.com. He joined ESPN in 2011.
Multiple Authors
Feb 4, 2026, 08:45 AM ET
Trying to assess the men’s college basketball Coach of the Year race is more difficult than ever.
In the pre-transfer portal era, we would compare preseason rankings to current ones, figure out which teams overachieved most and then identify our candidates. But with so many rosters changing dramatically from year to year, preseason rankings are much less predictive than in past decades.
And how do we factor in the talent, or lack thereof, on a team’s roster? In the NIL and portal era, the line between head coach and general manager is blurry and different for every team. Is it a boost for a coach to overachieve with middling talent? Or should he be dinged for assembling an average roster in the first place?
ESPN college basketball reporters Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf attempted to answer all these questions. They each submitted their top 10 candidates for 2025-26 Coach of the Year, then debated until they reached a consensus top 12 — with a few honorable mentions — heading into the final stretch of the season.
Lloyd has guided Arizona to a top-four seed in the NCAA tournament in each of his four seasons in Tucson, including a 1-seed in 2022. Now he has his best roster since taking over. One of the final two unbeatens of the season, the Wildcats’ 22-0 record includes wins away from home over UConn, BYU, Florida and Alabama. Arizona lost five of its top eight players from last season, including leading scorer Caleb Love and NBA draft lottery pick Carter Bryant, but are on an eight-week run at No. 1 in the AP poll after debuting at No. 13 in the preseason. — Jeff Borzello
After finishing 7-13 in the Big Ten last season, Nebraska’s athletic director had to release a statement to temper hot-seat talk around Hoiberg. Now Hoiberg is authoring one of the greatest turnarounds in Division I basketball history, coaching his team to a program-record 20-game winning streak to open the season. The Cornhuskers could capture their first conference title since 1950 with Rienk Mast, who missed last season due to injury, and Iowa transfer Pryce Sandfort leading a top-25 offense. — Myron Medcalf
Byington did a terrific job in Year 1, turning a program that won four SEC games under Jerry Stackhouse in 2023-24 into an NCAA tournament team in 2024-25. He’s doing an even better job in Year 2. Vanderbilt opened the season with 16 straight wins, with a marquee victory over Alabama to go with defeats against likely NCAA tournament teams SMU, Saint Mary’s and UCF. The Commodores were picked to finish 11th in the SEC preseason poll but are a locked-in top-25 team and would be a top-four seed if the season ended today. — Borzello
May was a Coach of the Year candidate last season, when he guided Michigan to a 19-win improvement in his first season in Ann Arbor, leading the Wolverines to the Sweet 16 a year after finishing 8-24. This season, he has a legitimate national championship contender despite losing three starters year over year. They put together a dominant nonconference run, including a string of three wins by a combined 110 points over San Diego State, Auburn and Gonzaga en route to the Players Era championship during Feast Week. And the Wolverines have been ranked in the top five of the AP poll since December. — Borzello
Self has earned these honors only two times in his 33-year coaching career. He’s worthy of consideration again this season given the turbulence he’s had to endure. Yes, he has Darryn Peterson, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. But Peterson has missed 10 games and has failed to play more than 25 minutes in five others due to injuries. That has forced Self to manage a day-to-day unpredictability none of his competitors on this list have endured. Even with the uncertainty, Kansas entered the week with a top-25 offense and defense and a third-place standing in one of the strongest conferences. — Medcalf
Underwood’s roster was decimated this past offseason: He lost two players to the 2025 NBA draft while four others transferred to programs they are now averaging double figures for. But he rebooted with a new group led by Keaton Wagler — a former four-star recruit turned projected first-round NBA draft pick — and has shepherded Illinois to wins over Purdue and Nebraska without star guard Kylan Boswell (14.3 points per game). Underwood’s team also leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency, per BartTorvik. — Medcalf
Otzelberger has Iowa State trending toward its third straight top-three NCAA tournament seed despite losing three starters, including the top two scorers, from last season. The Cyclones have gone from No. 16 in the AP preseason poll to No. 5 in this week’s edition as bona fide Final Four and Big 12 title contenders. With one of the season’s best wins — a 23-point victory at Purdue in early December — Iowa State once again has one of college basketball’s elite defenses and the best offense of the Otzelberger era. — Borzello
Izzo is worthy of a spot on this list most seasons. He’s here now because he didn’t raid the portal to reset after a 30-win Michigan State team lost its top three scorers after last season. Instead, he chose to develop the remaining players from that Elite Eight squad — without any former five-star recruits — in what has been one of his most impressive coaching jobs. Jeremy Fears Jr. (8.8 assists per game) is a top-five point guard nationally. Coen Carr has gone from 50th to 11th in defensive efficiency in the Big Ten year over year, per Evan Miya. Jaxon Kohler is a strong All-Big Ten candidate. And Carson Cooper has doubled his scoring average from last season. — Medcalf
As the coach of one of the final two unbeatens, Steele deserves a spot on this list. Miami (Ohio) wasn’t even picked to win the Mid-American Conference entering the season, with Akron earning 11 of the 13 first-place votes (Miami had the other two). But the RedHawks started the season with 23 straight wins, and while none would be classified as marquee, victories away from home over the likes of Wright State, Bowling Green, Kent State and Toledo are not insignificant. They also beat preseason favorite Akron. Steele, who has steadily improved the program in each of his four seasons at Miami, has the it ranked for the first time since 1999 and off to the best start in program history. — Borzello
In a landscape of older and more experienced players, Scheyer continues to win with young teams. This year, his team is led by freshman Cameron Boozer, a front-runner for National Player of the Year, and other early career standouts. The Blue Devils have one loss (82-81 to Texas Tech on Dec. 20), and marquee wins over Kansas, Arkansas, Michigan State, Florida and Louisville (twice). They’re also top five in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. Even more impressive? The average Division I experience of the other nine rosters in KenPom’s top 10 is 1.98 years; Duke’s is just 0.88, 309th out of 365 teams. — Medcalf
Could Bucky Ball translate to the SEC? The answer has been a resounding yes so far. Texas A&M, which was picked 13th in the SEC preseason poll, sits atop the conference standings at 7-1 with only two losses since Nov. 14 — both of which came in overtime. McMillan is in his first season in College Station after five years at Samford, and he’s brought his distinctive brand of basketball — fast-paced, lots of 3-pointers, suffocating pressure defense — with him. Despite returning zero players from the Aggies’ rotation last season, he has the squad on track for the NCAA tournament and in contention for an SEC title. — Borzello
Schertz turned Lincoln Memorial in Harrogate, Tennessee, into a Division II powerhouse, then launched a turnaround during his three years at Indiana State. Now, he has rebuilt Saint Louis, an effort that warrants a place in this conversation. If the sport had an executive of the year award, he would be a candidate for that, too. Schertz tapped the portal for Trey Green (Xavier), Brady Dunlap (St. John’s) and Ishan Sharma (Virginia), each of whom has made more than 40% of their 3-point attempts this season. Those additions, along with the growth of Robbie Avila and Dion Brown, have turned the Billikens into one of the best teams in America (40th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 20th in adjusted defensive efficiency). — Medcalf
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The ICC has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board that it faces the prospect of legal action from T20 World Cup’s official broadcasters JioStar for boycotting its February 15 game against India, a PCB source said on Tuesday. Pakistan decided to boycott the match in Colombo on February 15 on instructions of their government but haven’t yet officially specified the reasons to ICC.
As reported by PTI, there is a possibility that the ICC will withhold the entire annual revenue share of Pakistan, which is around $35 million and pay the broadcasters from that purse.
A PCB source informed that although chairman Mohsin Naqvi had taken advice from the board’s legal experts before briefing PM Shehbaz Sharif on the issue last week, the board is bracing for some serious consequences.
“If Pakistan doesn’t relent and play against India, not only will they face financial penalties, perhaps a lawsuit from broadcasters but also any efforts to go to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) are likely to fail,” a PCB source told PTI.
ICC’s DRC is an internal committee which doesn’t hear appeals against the decisions made by its own board.
“The PCB might face problems regardless of their government directive to not play India as they are playing all their matches at a neutral venue (Sri Lanka) as per their wishes and not in India,” another PCB source said.
“Secondly, while the Indian government has not given permission to its team to play in Pakistan, it has not stopped them from playing against Pakistan at neutral venues in Asia Cup or ICC events even after the May conflict,” the board source, who tracks Naqvi closely, added.
The PCB is yet to communicate in writing to the ICC but it the boycott decision is being seen as an act of solidarity with Bangladesh after their ouster.
“When the ICC signed its four year deal with the broadcaster for all ICC events, the contract included Pakistan and India matches based on which the broadcaster made the payments to the ICC,” the source explained.
“So the broadcaster will be within its rights to take the PCB and ICC to court over a major breach of the contract.”
It is reliably learnt that the PCB approached other members boards for support on the matter but failed to find any backers.
Will Naqvi make U-turn after Bangladesh elections?
There is a school of thought that Naqvi, who is also the interior minister of his country, might just make a U-turn once the general elections are held in Bangladesh on February 12 and a democratic government takes charge instead of the present one headed by Mohammed Yunus.
“Naqvi more than a cricket administrator is a politician, who is not one bit bothered about the welfare of the national team. He is trying to score a brownie point with his and could well flip once elections are held on February 12.
“There would still be two days before the India game and things could just change. Else he knows that Pakistan could be ostracised,” another source tracking Pakistan cricket said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If you’ve ever booked a train or flight ticket, you’ve probably noticed a unique code printed on it. That little string of numbers is more than just a random sequence, it’s your key to travel. This code is called PNR, and it plays a crucial role in modern transportation systems. But what exactly does PNR stand for, and why is it so important? Let’s dive in.
Full Form of PNR: The full form of PNR is Passenger Name Record. It is essentially a digital record stored in the database of a computer reservation system (CRS). This record contains all the essential details about a passenger’s journey, making it a vital part of the ticketing process.
What Does a PNR Contain? A PNR is not just a name; it’s a complete travel profile. Typically, it includes the passenger’s personal details (name, age, gender, contact information), the travel itinerary (train/flight number, date, time, boarding and destination stations/airports), ticket details (seat number, booking status, fare information), and any special service requests (like meal preferences or wheelchair assistance). This information ensures that both the passenger and the transport provider have a synchronized record of the journey.
How Is a PNR Generated? When you book a ticket, whether online or through a counter, the reservation system automatically generates a unique PNR number. In India, for example, train tickets booked through the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) come with a 10-digit PNR. Airlines also issue PNRs, though the format may vary. The uniqueness of the PNR ensures that no two passengers share the same record, even if they are traveling together.
Why Is PNR Important? PNR serves multiple purposes: – Verification: It acts as proof of booking and is required during check-in or boarding. – Status Updates: Passengers can check their booking status (confirmed, waitlisted, or RAC in trains) using the PNR. – Coordination: It helps airlines and railways manage passenger data efficiently. – Safety: In case of emergencies, authorities can quickly access passenger details through the PNR system. Without PNR, managing millions of passengers daily would be chaotic.
PNR in Railways vs. Airlines: While the concept is the same, there are slight differences in how PNR works in railways and airlines. – Railways: In India, the PNR is crucial for checking ticket confirmation status. Since train seats are limited, passengers often rely on PNR to know if their waitlisted ticket has been upgraded. – Airlines: In aviation, PNR is more about itinerary management. It helps airlines coordinate multiple legs of a journey, especially for international travel.
Fun Fact: Did you know that a single PNR can contain details of multiple passengers traveling together? For instance, if a family of four books tickets in one go, all their details are stored under one PNR. This makes group travel easier to manage.
A 9-year-old boy is recovering after a popular toy caused second-degree burns to his face and hands.
Caleb Chabolla, a fourth-grader in Illinois, was injured after heating up a NeeDoh in the microwave late last month.
The NeeDoh, a sensory toy similar to a stress ball, is described on the company’s website as a “gratifying super soft, super stretchy dough filled groovy glob.”
After microwaving the toy to soften it, Chabolla removed it and began squeezing it when it exploded in his face.
Caleb Chabolla, a fourth-grader in Illinois, was injured after heating up a NeeDoh in the microwave late last month.(Whitney Grubb)
“I heard him screaming loudly and saw him take off running toward the bathroom, and he just kept yelling, ‘it burns, it burns,’” Whitney Grubb, the boy’s mother, told Fox News Digital.
Grubb saw that the right side of Chabolla’s face was covered in a thick gel, with bright red skin underneath. She initially tried to wash off the substance, but it was too painful, so she drove her son to the emergency room.
Chabolla was ultimately transferred via ambulance to the Loyola Burn Center, where he stayed overnight. Doctors “debrided” the burn, which involves cleaning burn wounds by removing dead, damaged or infected skin and debris.
“Because his eye ended up swelling all the way closed, they also brought in ophthalmology to make sure he didn’t have any injury to his eye,” Grubb said.
The doctors at Loyola informed Grubb that they had recently treated four other children who had been burned by heating up NeeDohs, stemming from a viral trend on TikTok.(Whitney Grubb)
The doctors at Loyola informed Grubb that they had recently treated four other children who had been burned by heating up NeeDohs, stemming from a viral trend on TikTok.
“Caleb had heard about it through word of mouth through friends at school,” Grubb said.
After two weeks of recovery and daily wound cleanings, Chabolla was released to return to school on Wednesday.
“For the most part, Caleb is just happy to be back at school to see his friends, so he’s in better spirits now.”
Grubb wants to spread the word to warn other parents about the potential dangers of putting these types of toys in the microwave.
“For the most part, Caleb is just happy to be back at school to see his friends, so he’s in better spirits now,” the boy’s mother told Fox News Digital.(Whitney Grubb)
“It’s hard to micromanage every little thing your kid does, and unfortunately, kids are going to experiment and try things — they don’t know the risks of these kinds of things, and they don’t know how hot things can get in a short amount of time.”
Hundreds of people have been evaluated and treated at various healthcare facilities after a carbon monoxide leak Wednesday at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Ballad Health said that as of 6 p.m. local time, it is actively caring for more than 200 people across six Ballad Health hospitals.
Crews are continuing to respond to the exposure, though the total number of people affected has not yet been released. It is unclear how many are students and staff members.
Milligan University told Fox News Digital it identified a carbon monoxide leak Wednesday morning in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
The Steve Lacy Fieldhouse at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tenn.(Google Maps)
The building was immediately evacuated, and students and employees were transported to receive medical evaluation, school officials said.
The source of the leak was identified, repaired and levels have returned to normal, according to the university.
Milligan officials said the fieldhouse was equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors that did not alarm, and maintenance staff is actively investigating why the detectors did not activate.
Additional carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in the building and testing of all carbon monoxide detectors across campus is underway to confirm proper operation.
Hundreds of people have been hospitalized after a carbon monoxide leak, Wednesday, at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
“The health and safety of our students and employees remain our highest priority. We are being diligent and deliberate in our communications to ensure that all information shared is accurate,” the school wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We are grateful to Ballad Health for their partnership and care, and we appreciate the prayers and support from our community.”
Ballad Health released a statement noting all hospitals remain fully prepared to care for patients.
After evaluation, the hospital said patients are provided with the care appropriate for their needs.
Some patients may require more extended observation or treatment, including supplemental oxygen and longer-term monitoring, officials said. For those with significant exposure, treatment includes oxygen therapy and monitoring for 12 to 24 hours.
The carbon monoxide detectors did not alarm, the university said.(iStock)
Patients with minimal symptoms may require up to six hours of observation.
Ballad Health said in order to manage the “mass event,” it activated its Corporate Emergency Operations Center to support system-wide coordination and response efforts.
An emergency medicine physician was also deployed to the Milligan University campus to assist with on-site triage and coordination of care. Milligan is a small, private Christian university located roughly two hours east of Knoxville.
The university said a mechanical contractor verified the system was safely shut down, and the school’s maintenance team will coordinate with the fire department Thursday morning to conduct a thorough final inspection prior to the building reopening.
Carbon monoxide is acolorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas that at high levels can cause loss of consciousness and death.
Symptoms of exposure include headache, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and nausea.
Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.
She has covered major national crises, including the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.
Kristen Stewart is restoring the Highland Park movie theater in Los Angeles.
The actress and director has purchased the long-shuttered Highland Theatre in Highland Park, with plans to restore the nearly century-old movie house and reintroduce it as a community-centered cultural space.
Stewart recently shared in a new interview that she has long been “fascinated by broken-down old theaters.”
“I always want to see what mysteries they hold,” she told Architectural Digest on Wednesday. The Highland Theatre, which closed in February 2024 just weeks shy of its 100th anniversary, immediately stood out.
Designed by architect Lewis Arthur Smith, the venue first opened in 1925 and was part of a wave of neighbourhood cinemas that once defined Los Angeles moviegoing.
Stewart admitted she hadn’t been consciously searching for a theater, but once the Highland came onto her radar, the decision felt urgent and instinctive. “I didn’t realize I was looking for a theater until this place came to my attention,” recalled Stewart. “Then it was like a gunshot went off and the race was on. I ran toward it with everything I had.”
The Chronology of Water director added that she sees the restoration project as “an opportunity to make a space to gather and scheme and dream together,” she told AD.
“We want to make it a family affair, something for the community. It’s not just for pretentious Hollywood cinephiles,” she said. “I see it as an antidote to all the corporate b*******, a place that takes movie culture away from just buying and selling. I think there’s a huge desire and craving for what this kind of space can offer.”
Stewart’s directorial feature The Chronology of Water is currently in theaters, with more projects already in development, including The Wrong Girls, which is directed by her wife, Dylan Meyer. Stewart stars in the film and co-wrote the script with Meyer.
The Hamas terrorist who murdered surveillance soldier Corporal Noa Marciano while she was held captive in Gaza has been eliminated, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Wednesday.
The strike on a group of terrorists, including Muhammad Issam Hassan al-Habil, had reportedly followed a Hamas attack overnight that wounded IDF troops in northern Gaza, in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Al-Habil, a key Hamas cell commander, was killed in the airstrike in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp, the IDF said in a statement.
“In response to the blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement overnight, earlier today (Wednesday), the IDF and ISA struck and eliminated the terrorist Muhammad Issam Hassan al-Habil, head of a Hamas terrorist cell,” the IDF confirmed.
The bodies of Noa Marciano (pictured) and Yehudit Weiss were discovered by the IDF in the vicinity of Shifa hospital last year.(Courtesy: Bring Them Home Now)
The IDF also said that via Israeli Security Agency (ISA) questioning, al-Habil had brutally murdered Marciano, 19, in Hamas captivity.
The IDF soldier had been abducted from the Nahal Oz outpost during the terrorist organization’s October 7th massacre.
She was wounded in an IDF airstrike on Nov. 9, 2023, while being held by Hamas and was later taken to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Her body was eventually recovered by Israeli forces in November 2023 and returned to Israel for burial in Modi’in, where she had lived with her family.
Following the announcement of al-Habil’s death, Marciano’s mother, Adi Marciano, said the family had been promised that everyone involved in her daughter’s murder would be brought to justice, according to The Times of Israel.
“There is no real comfort in this,” she said. “But there is knowledge that justice was done, even if only partially. Nothing will bring Noa back to us.”
Noa Marciano, 19, was abducted from Nahal Oz outpost during Oct. 7 massacre and later murdered at Shifa Hospital.(Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
“This elimination brings closure for the Marciano family, and to the IDF and ISA,” the IDF said.
“The IDF and ISA will continue to operate against any terrorist involved in the brutal Oct. 7 massacre and against any attempts by terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to carry out terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians.”
Israeli forces had been responding to multiple security incidents overnight, including attacks on IDF troops.
Israeli soldiers take part in an IDF exercise to enhance operational readiness along the Lebanon border in Oct. 2025. (IDF)(IDF)
At around 1 a.m., terrorists had opened fire on IDF forces in the Daraj Tuffah area, severely wounding a reserve officer.
IDF troops returned fire and carried out additional strikes in the area to eliminate the threat.
In the attack where al-Habil was killed, three suspects were identified approaching the yellow line in southern Khan Younis and were deemed a threat to the troops. The suspects were subsequently struck, the IDF said.
In addition to al-Habil, those killed included Bilal Abu Assi, a Hamas Nukhba platoon commander who led the massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7.
Abu Assi was believed to have taken part in holding deceased hostages in captivity while directing terrorist plots against IDF troops.
Ali Raziana, commander of the Northern Gaza Brigade of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization was also killed, according to the IDF.
Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.
