Chris Klieman steps down at K-State; former QB Collin Klein reportedly set to replace

A major coaching change is occurring in Manhattan, Kan., with a replacement reportedly already lined up.

Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement at 58 on Wednesday afternoon. His successor is expected to be former Kansas State quarterback and offensive coordinator Collin Klein, currently offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, according to multiple reports.

"After many deep and thoughtful conversations with my family, we have decided that the time is right for me to retire from coaching," Klieman said. "This decision was not taken lightly and was the culmination of many factors, including my own personal health. I absolutely love coaching the game of football and developing players into young men, but now is the time for me to step away and spend more time with (wife) Rhonda and our three kids.

"I truly am thankful to (athletic director) Gene Taylor for trusting me with this program in 2018, and we have accomplished many great things, including winning the 2022 Big 12 Championship. K-State will always be a special part of our family's story, and we will forever be Wildcats."

Klieman, 54-34 at Kansas State, is the school's second-winningest coach behind predecessor Bill Snyder (215-117-1).

In addition to the Big 12 title in 2022, he guided the Wildcats to five bowl appearances since being hired away from North Dakota State, where he won four FCS National Championships.

Klein, 36, was an assistant coach under Klieman and spent two of his five seasons on staff as the Wildcats' offensive coordinator. He has been the offensive coordinator at Texas A&M for the past two seasons.

Reports indicate that Klein would continue coaching the Aggies' offense during its expected upcoming playoff run.

Among his many accomplishments on the field at Kansas State, Klein was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2012 and piloted the Wildcats to the Fiesta Bowl.

--Field Level Media

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December 03, 2025

Chris Klieman steps down at K-State; former QB Collin Klein reportedly set to replace

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Colts QB Daniel Jones turns to college friends for extra help with injured leg

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is getting a little more help from his friends.

Seven years after two teammates created a special pad to protect Jones' fracture collarbone, the same duo has done it again, this time to fit over Jones' injured lower left leg. Jones said Wednesday he first wore it in a loss at Kansas City and then again in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans.

"Lucky to have smart friends who are really close friends," Jones said. "It's pretty low profile and fits to my leg pretty well. I didn't really notice it Sunday."

Jones didn't elaborate much on what the extra padding does exactly other than noting Colts doctors and trainers gave him the approval to wear it.

Former Duke center Clark Bulleit and former Duke linebacker Kevin Gehsmann started the company, Protect3D, to produce custom-printed 3D braces and orthotics that help athletes recover from injuries. They created an app that allows the products to be scanned to mobile phones or tablets and are then printed out. The Durham, North Carolina,-based company also says it works with an advisory board of physicians and trainers that arelisted on the website.

Bulleit's initial experience in a 3D-printing lab came one semester at Duke when he was able to work closely with the technology before Jones suffered the collarbone injury in 2018. It allowed him to return after just three weeks, and Colts coach Shane Steichen has no qualms with Jones getting some more help from his former teammates.

"I'm an UNLV guy, I'm not a Duke graduate so nothing against my alma mater — I love my alma mater — but Duke there's like a high (intelligence) level," he said. "I guess it was a couple of players and there were like 'Hey, what if we do this and create this system?' and they've been doing good. It's pretty impressive."

But Jones didn't need anyone to help him print out this pad.

"My buddy Kevin actually delivered it to me in Kansas City," Jones said. "He flew (in) and came to the game, I got to see him afterward."

Jones continues to maintain he still feels healthy enough to play and has no intention of sitting out Sunday's game at Jacksonville (8-4), a matchup featuring the two teams tied for the AFC South lead.

"I've been cleared to play, and I know it's safe," he said. "I feel good, I think I'm feeling better every week and continue to be able to do more and more, just being mindful of the injury and doing whatever I can to put the team in position to win."

Jones' performance has declined over the past month with Indy (8-4) losing three of its past four games, including the Colts' first back-to-back losses of the season. As defenses have put increasingly more pressure on Jones, he has looked less mobile, at times, and has been less accurate completing throws than he was in Indy's first eight games.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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December 03, 2025

Colts QB Daniel Jones turns to college friends for extra help with injured leg

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Terence Crawford fires back after WBC strips him of super-middleweight world title

Terence Crawford told the WBC it can keep its super-middleweight world title.

Crawford responded Wednesday after the sanctioning body stripped his belt by claiming the undefeated American had failed to pay $300,000 in sanctioning fees from his fight with Canelo Alvarez.

Crawford became the undisputed super-middleweight champion when hebeat Alvarez by unanimous decisionin September, but the WBC said it hasn't received its 0.6% sanction fee on Crawford's reported $50 million earnings.

On his Instagram account, Crawford disputed the earnings figure and accused WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman of favoritism.

"You want me to pay you more than the other sanctioning bodies because you feel like you're better than them. You can take the belt," Crawford said, adding an expletive.

He said in comments to Sulaiman: "You don't know how much I made. Once again, you're speculating." He added that Sulaiman was "mad that I beat Canelo."

"Still the champion, can't take that away from me, history already been made baby," he said.

The WBC had also claimed that Crawford didn't pay bout fees for hisfight against Israil Madrimovin August 2024.

"The WBC sent multiple communications to champion Crawford, his manager, and his legal counsel. Very unfortunately, the WBC did not receive an acknowledgment of receipt nor any response to any of those communications," it said in a statement Wednesday.

"The WBC had no choice but to act, considering champion Crawford had received ample notification and multiple opportunities to address and resolve the situation."

The sanctioning body reportedly ordered a fight between Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz and Christian Mbilli for the vacant title.

AP Boxing:https://apnews.com/hub/boxing

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December 03, 2025

Terence Crawford fires back after WBC strips him of super-middleweight world title

Terence Crawford told the WBC it can keep its super-middleweight world title. Crawford responded Wednesday after...

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Football signing day live updates: 2026 commits, rankings for early signing period

On Sunday, 12 teams will see theirnational championshiphope live on when they hear their name called for theCollege Football Playoff.

A few days before that, the building blocks for those future championship dreams will be put into place.

Theearly signing periodbegins on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and continues through Friday, Dec. 5, with many of the top recruits from across the country putting pen to paper (and, in a rarity in 2025, paper into fax machines) to formalize their relationship with their new college home for the next three or four (or five) years. The three-day stretch has become the primary time for high-school prospects to sign with schools, effectively replacing the once-customary National Signing Day in February.

REQUIRED READING:Coaches created this college football calendar mess. It's on them to fix it

It will be a frenzied 72 hours, particularly on Wednesday, with hundreds of players signing with schools they've been committed to for weeks or months while others unveil their college decisions with news conferences, hats and, if the recent past has taught us anything, live animals.

USA TODAY Sports will be providing live updates from college football's early signing period. Follow along.

Early signing period live updates

This section will be updated as recruits are announced as signees.

USC flips Ohio State WR commit

One historic powerhouse has snagged a prized recruit away from one of its Big Ten foes.

USC has flipped four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt from Ohio State, with Dixon-Wyatt signing with the program Wednesday. Dixon-Wyatt, who plays at Southern California juggernaut Mater Dei High School, is the No. 135 overall recruit and No. 21 wide receiver in 247's composite rankings.

Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has signed with the USC Trojans.Wide Receiver, out of Mater Dei High School (CA)pic.twitter.com/IossWchR1x

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb)December 3, 2025

Dixon-Wyatt is one of four Mater Dei players in USC's top-ranked 2026 class.

Calvin Russell delays signing with Syracuse

Four days after wrapping up a disappointing 3-9 season, Syracuse got even more bad news Wednesday.

Wide receiver Calvin Russell, the No. 70 player in 247 composite rankings and the centerpiece of coach Fran Brown's 2026 recruiting class, has postponed his signing, he announced Wednesday. Russell committed to the Orange back in July, with the Miami Northwestern star choosing them over Michigan and Miami.

🚨NEWS🚨 Elite Syracuse WR commit Calvin Russell will postpone his signing, via@BenjaminRivals👀Read:https://t.co/a7L9aunHrrpic.twitter.com/8eMusq8xMg

— Rivals (@Rivals)December 3, 2025

A report from On3 Sportsadded that Russell is expected to sign Friday, with Michigan and Miami described as "other factors."

Lamar Brown to hold off signing with LSU

The top-ranked player behind Jared Curtis won't be signing with a school — at least not yet.

Lamar Brown, the No. 2 overall player and No. 1 athlete in 247's composite rankings, is not expected to sign with LSU during the early signing period,according to a report Wednesday from ESPN. The report added that Brown plans to wait for newly hired Tigers coach Lane Kiffin to assemble his staff.

Brown, a Baton Rouge native, committed to LSU and then-head coach Brian Kelly on July 10, choosing the Tigers over Texas A&M and Miami.

Jared Curtis signs with Vanderbilt

The top recruit in the country is officially off the board.

Quarterback Jared Curtis, the No. 1 overall player in 247's composite rankings, signs with Vanderbilt, one day after flipping to theCommodoresfrom Georgia. The Nashville native is the highest-ranked recruit in Vanderbilt history and gives coach Clark Lea a nice potential succession plan once Diego Pavia (we think) runs out of eligibility this season.

Signed 🖋️Welcome to Commodore Nation,@Jaredcurtis37pic.twitter.com/XbXUjkvi73

— #14 Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball)December 3, 2025

Carter Meadows signs with Michigan

Carter Meadows, the No. 2 edge rusher and No. 6 overall player in the 2026 class, signs with Michigan and coach Sherrone Moore. Meadows is one of the more physically impressive players in the class, standing at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds.

Building our future with@CarterMeadows_🧱Welcome home, Carter! »https://t.co/ilH2IYpCiy#GoBlue|#BrickByBrick26pic.twitter.com/9bH6X9agcU

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball)December 3, 2025

Dia Bell signs with Texas

Whenever Arch Manning leaves Texas, theLonghornswill have at least one enticing option to replace him at quarterback. Dia Bell, the No. 9 overall player and the No. 4 quarterback in 247's composite rankings, has signed with Texas, becoming the first player to sign with the Longhorns on what should be a busy Wednesday for coach Steve Sarkisian's program.

The first one is in! Welcome to the Forty,@DiaBell3QB1🤘#AllGas26|#NSD26pic.twitter.com/KErQDmdQAn

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball)December 3, 2025

Faizon Brandon signs with Tennessee

Josh Heupel's quarterback-friendly system at Tennessee may soon include an impressive young passer. Faizon Brandon, the No. 7 overall player and No. 3 quarterback in 247's composite rankings, has signed with the Vols, giving the program an intriguing option to play at the game's most important position in the years to come.

Home sweet home!The signal caller from North Carolina is officially a Vol!@faizon_brandon|#RockyTop26🍊pic.twitter.com/dXk7LZAfq8

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football)December 3, 2025

Jackson Cantwell signs with Miami

Throughout his coaching career, Mario Cristobal, a former offensive lineman himself, has been praised for his work with offensive linemen. On Wednesday, he got a pretty impressive one to join his team.

Jackson Cantwell, the No. 4 overall player in 247's composite rankings, has signed with Miami. In their announcement of his signing, the Hurricanes listed the Missouri native at 6-foot-8 and 330 pounds.

Welcome to the Canes family,@jcantwell2499🏈: Offensive Lineman🏡: Nixa, Missouri📚: Nixa@CanesFootball|#NSD26pic.twitter.com/0copjGrs0a

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball)December 3, 2025

Early signing period: Player rankings for 2026 class

This section will be updated live as players sign.

Here's the full list of the top 100 players in the 2026 class,according to 247Sports' composite rankings:

5-star recruits

1. Jared Curtis (No. 1 QB), Vanderbilt commit

2. Lamar Brown (No. 1 athlete), LSU commit

3. Keisean Henderson (No. 2 QB), Houston commit

4. Jackson Cantwell (No. 1 OT), signed with Miami

5. Zion Elee (No. 1 edge rusher), Maryland commit

6. Carter Meadows (No. 2 edge rusher), Michigan commit

7. Faizon Brandon (No. 3 QB), signed with Tennessee

8. Savion Hiter (No. 1 RB), Michigan commit

9. Dia Bell (No. 4 QB), signed with Texas

10. Chris Henry Jr. (No. 1 WR), Ohio State commit

11. Tristen Keys (No. 2 WR), signed with Tennessee

12. Rodney Durham (No. 3 edge rusher), Notre Dame commit

13. Felix Ojo (No. 2 OT), signed with Texas Tech

14. Ezavier Crowell (No. 2 RB), signed with Alabama

15. LaDamion Guyton (No. 4 edge rusher), signed with Texas Tech

16. Immanuel Iheanacho (No. 1 IOL), Oregon commit

17. Xavier Griffin (No. 1 LB), Alabama commit

18. Kendre Harrison (No. 1 TE), Oregon commit

19. Kodi Greene (No. 3 OT), Washington commit

20. Tyler Atkinson (No. 2 LB), Texas commit

21. Ian Premer (No. 2 TE), Notre Dame commit

22. Jalen Lott (No. 3 WR), Oregon commit

23. Mark Bowman (No. 3 TE), USC commit

24. Khary Adams (No. 1 CB), Notre Dame commit

25. Jorden Edmonds (No. 2 CB), signed with Alabama

26. Anthony Jones (No. 5 edge rusher), Oregon commit

27. Kelvin Obot (No. 4 OT), Utah commit

28. Richard Wesley (No. 6 edge rusher), Texas commit

29. Richard Anderson (No. 1 DL), LSU commit

30. Bralan Womack (No. 1 S), Mississippi State commit

31. Joey O'Brien (No. 2 S), Notre Dame commit

32. Jireh Edwards (No. 3 S), signed with Alabama

33. Ekene Ogboko (No. 5 OT), signed with Georgia

34. Brandon Arrington (No. 2 athlete), signs with USC

4-star recruits

• 35. Kaiden Prothro (No. 4 TE), Georgia commit

• 36. Jett Washington (No. 4 S), Oregon commit

• 37. Darius Gray (No. 1 IOL), signed with South Carolina

• 38. Ryder Lyons (No. 5 QB), BYU commit

• 39. Ethan Feaster (No. 4 WR), signed with USC

• 40. Cederian Morgan (No. 5 WR), Alabama commit

• 41. Chauncey Kennon (No. 3 S), signed with Florida State

• 42. Khary Wilder (No. 2 DL), Ohio State commit

• 43. KJ Edwards (No. 3 RB), Texas A&M commit

• 44. Luke Wafle (No. 7 edge rusher), signed with USC

• 45. Salesi Moa (No. 3 athlete), Tennessee commit

• 46. Elbert Hill (No. 4 CB), signed with USC

• 47. Davon Benjamin (No. 5 S), Oregon commit

• 48. Jaimeon Winfield (No. 3 DL), signed with USC

• 49. Davian Groce (No. 6 WR), Florida commit

• 50. Cincere Johnson (No. 3 LB), Ohio State commit

• 51. Sam Greer (No. 6 OT), Ohio State commit

• 52. Jamarion Matthews (No. 4 DL), Alabama commit

• 53. Nolan Wilson (No. 5 DL), Alabama commit

• 54. Deuce Geralds (No. 6 DL), LSU commit

• 55. TJ White (No. 4 LB), Tennessee commit

• 56. Zyan Gibson (No. 5 CB), signed with Alabama

• 57. Tony Cumberland (No. 7 DL), Oregon commit

• 58. Justice Fitzpatrick (No. 6 CB), Georgia commit

• 59. Somourian Wingo (No. 7 WR), signed with Miami

• 60. Bryce Perry-Wright (No. 8 DL), Texas A&M commit

• 61. Naeem Burroughs (No. 8 WR), Clemson commit

• 62. Kevin Brown (No. 7 OT), signed with West Virginia

• 63. Devin Jackson (No. 6 S), Oregon commit

• 64. Jay Timmons (No. 7 CB), Ohio State commit

• 65. Joel Wyatt (No. 4 athlete), Tennessee commit

• 66. Jermaine Bishop (No. 5 athlete), Texas commit

• 67. Trenton Henderson (No. 8 edge rusher), LSU commit

• 68. Bowe Bentley (No. 6 QB), Oklahoma commit

• 69. Jett Thomalla (No. 7 QB), signed with Alabama

• 70. Calvin Russell (No. 9 WR), Syracuse commit

• 71. Blaine Bradford (No. 7 S), Ohio State commit

• 72. Jake Kreul (No. 9 edge rusher), signed with Oklahoma

• 73. Keenyi Pepe (No. 8 OT), signed with USC

• 74. Jonathan Hatton Jr. (No. 4 RB), Oklahoma commit

• 75. Caden Harris (No. 8 CB), Georgia commit

• 76. John Turntine III (No. 9 OT), Texas commit

• 77. Brian Bonner (No. 5 RB), Washington commit

• 78. Talanoa Ili (No. 5 LB), USC commit

• 79. Izayia Williams (No. 6 LB), Florida State commit

• 80. Tommy Tofi (No. 3 IOL), Oregon commit

• 81. Ayden Pouncey (No. 8 S), signed with Notre Dame

• 82. J'Zavien Currence (No. 9 S), South Carolina commit

• 83. Brysten Martinez (No. 10 OT), signed with LSU

• 84. Aaron Gregory (No. 10 WR), signed with Texas A&M

• 85. Kentavion Anderson (No. 10 S), signed with Clemson

• 86. Brayden Rouse (No. 7 LB), signed with Tennessee

• 87. James Johnson (No. 9 DL), Texas commit

• 88. Jordan Smith (No. 11 S), Georgia commit

• 89. Jamarion Carlton (No. 10 DL), signed with Texas

• 90. Gabriel Osenda (No. 11 OT), signed with Tennessee

• 91. Aiden Harris (No. 11 DL), South Carolina commit

• 92. Craig Dandridge (No. 11 WR), signed with Georgia

• 93. Havon Finney (No. 9 CB), LSU commit

• 94. Chase Campbell (No. 12 WR), signed with Texas Tech

• 95. Jase Mathews (No. 13 WR), Auburn commit

• 96. Julian Walker (No. 10 edge rusher), Michigan commit

• 97. Jaquez Wilkes (No. 8 LB), signed with Auburn

• 98. Pierre Dean (No. 11 edge rusher), signed with Georgia

• 99. Derrek Cooper (No. 6 RB), Texas commit

• 100. Victor Singleton (No. 10 CB), signed with Texas A&M

REQUIRED READING:College football bowl projections: CFP race, postseason lineup down to final weekend

Early signing period: Team rankings 2026 class

This section will be updated live as class rankings shift

Here are the top 10 teams in the 2026 class rankings,according to 247Sports' Composite rankings:

1. USC (34 commits)

2. Alabama (24 commits)

3. Notre Dame (27 commits)

4. Oregon (19 commits)

5. Ohio State (28 commits)

6. Georgia (28 commits)

7. Texas (24 commits)

8. Tennessee (24 commits)

9. Texas A&M (26 commits)

10. Miami (29 commits)

To see the full rankings,click here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Football Signing Day live updates for 2026 commits, team rankings

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December 03, 2025

Football signing day live updates: 2026 commits, rankings for early signing period

On Sunday, 12 teams will see theirnational championshiphope live on when they hear their name called for theCollege Footb...

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NBA fines 76ers for violating rules leading up to Joel Embiid's return

The Philadelphia 76ers were fined $100,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for violating league injury reporting rules.

Per the league, the 76ers failed to accurately disclose the availability status of center Joel Embiid prior to their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

Embiid was listed as "out" on Philadelphia's initial injury report and subsequently played in the game, scoring 18 points in 30 minutes during the 76ers' 142-134 double-overtime loss to the Hawks.

The seven-time All-Star and 2022-23 NBA MVP has been nursing left knee issues for most of the past two years after tearing his meniscus midway through the 2023-24 season.

Embiid, 31, sat out Philadelphia's next game, a 121-102 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday. due to his chronic knee injury.

The fine also accounts for the 76ers' prior history for violating injury reporting rules, the NBA announced in its release.

Embiid has been limited to seven games this season and is averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

--Field Level Media

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December 03, 2025

NBA fines 76ers for violating rules leading up to Joel Embiid's return

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Israel says it will reopen the Rafah border crossing. Here's what it means for Palestinians in Gaza

CAIRO (AP) — Israel said Wednesday thatit would reopen the Rafah border crossingin the coming days, allowing Palestinians to leave Gaza. That could bea major development for residentsof the devastated strip, for whom leaving has been extremely difficult — if not impossible — for most of the war.

The announcement has raised hopes that thousands of sick and wounded people in Gaza will finally be able to access the care they need. Gaza's health system was decimated by the two-year war, rendering advanced surgical procedures out of reach.

But, there are complications. For one, Israel says Palestinians wanting to leave Gaza will have to get Israeli and Egyptian security approval. It's unclear what criteria that will involve.

Another key dispute: Israel says that until militants in Gaza return all the hostages they took in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war, it will only allow Palestinians to exit Gaza, not enter.

Egypt, meanwhile, says it wants the crossing immediately opened in both directions, so Palestinians in Egypt can enter Gaza. That's a position rooted inEgypt's vehement opposition to Palestinian refugeespermanently resettling in the country.

A lifeline for Gaza

Before the war, Rafah bustled with goods and people passing to and from Egypt and Gaza. Although Gaza has four other border crossings, they are shared with Israel, and only Rafah links the territory with another country.

After Hamas-led militants invaded southern Israel in 2023, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage, Egypt tightened its restrictions on traffic through the Rafah crossing. After Israeltook control of the Gaza sidein May 2024 as part of its offensive that has killed more than 70,100 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, it closed the crossing except to the occasional medical evacuation.

The ministry does not distinguish between militants and civilians, though it says roughly half of those killed have been women and children. The ministry operates under the Hamas-run government. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

A reopened Rafah crossing would make it easier for Palestinians in Gaza to seek medical treatment, travel internationally or visit family in Egypt. The World Health Organization says there are more than 16,500 sick and wounded who need to leave Gaza for medical care.

It would also help Gaza's decimated economy, allowing Palestinian merchants to market products beyond the borders of the pummeled territory.

Last-minutes hurdles delay reopening

Israel said the crossing would be opened in the coming days. An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational plans, said the European Union mission supervising the crossing needed to finalize the logistics before the crossing can open.

The crossing, heavily damaged during the war. may also require repairs. A dispute between Israel and Egypt over Palestinian entry into Gaza may also delay the opening.

Citing an unnamed Egyptian official, Egypt's State Information Service said Wednesday that the crossing, if an agreement is reached, will be used for travel in both directions, in accordance with aceasefire plan advanced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Egypt is opposed to accepting Gaza refugees. It is already home to tens of thousands of Palestinians and hosts a migrant population of some 9 million people. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has warned of the security implications of transferring large numbers of Palestinians to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, bordering Gaza.

Egypt supports the creation of a Palestinian state in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem ,and fears a permanent displacement could erode that possibility.

But Israel's government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said that entry into Gaza would not be permitted until Israel receives all hostages remaining in Gaza. Before the most recent return of remains, there were believed two deceased hostages in Gaza — an Israeli and one Thai national. The remains returned Wednesday have not yet been identified.

Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Sam McNeil in Brussels contributed to this report.

Find more of AP's Israel-Hamas coverage athttps://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

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December 03, 2025

Israel says it will reopen the Rafah border crossing. Here's what it means for Palestinians in Gaza

CAIRO (AP) — Israel said Wednesday thatit would reopen the Rafah border crossingin the coming days, allowing Palestinians...

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Lebanon 'far from' diplomatic normalization or economic relations with Israel, prime minister says

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's prime minister said Wednesday that his country was "far from" diplomatic normalization or economic relations with Israel, despite a move toward direct negotiations between the two countries aimed at defusing tensions.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's comments to a small group of journalists in Beirut came in contradiction to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel would send an envoy to talks with Lebanese diplomatic and economic officials, which he described as an "initial attempt to create a basis for relations and economic cooperation" between the two countries.

Lebanon and Israel both announced the appointment of civilian members to a previously military-only committee monitoring enforcement of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted the latest war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah a year ago. The civilian members took part in Wednesday's meeting of the mechanism, alongside representatives of the U.S., France and the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL.

Lebanon and Israel don't have diplomatic relations and have been officially in a state of war since 1948. The move to hold civilian talks appeared to be a step toward the direct bilateral talks between Israel and Lebanon that Washington has pushed for.

However, Salam said Lebanon that is still committed to the 2002 Arab peace plan that conditions normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel on the creation of a Palestinian state — a prospect to which Netanyahu's administration has been adamantly opposed.

"Economic relations would be part of such normalization, so then obviously anyone following the news would know that we are not there at all," Salam said.

A debate over weapons

His comments also come amid fears of a new escalation by Israel against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since the November 2024 ceasefire, Israel has continued to launch near-daily attacks in Lebanon that it says aim to stop the group from rebuilding its capabilities after it suffering heavy blows in the recent war.

Lebanon has been deeply divided over calls for Hezbollah to disarm. In August, the Lebanese government announced a plan to consolidate all weapons in the hands of the state by the end of the year, but it later backed off of the deadline.

Hezbollah officials have said the group will not consider disarmament until Israel withdraws from all Lebanese territory and halts its attacks.

Salam said Lebanon is on track to implement the first phase of the disarmament plan - under which the Lebanese army should have a monopoly on arms in the area south of the Litani river, near the border with Israel - by the end of the year. The exception is several border points that Israeli forces are still occupying, he said.

The remaining phases of the five-phase plan, which would cover the rest of the country, currently "don't have a time frame," he said.

The lack of a firm timeline is unlikely to satisfy Israel, which has been threatening to escalate its military actions in Lebanon if Hezbollah is not fully disarmed.

Salam said that Lebanon had appointed a civilian representative to the ceasefire committee at the request of the U.S. and Israel.

"We are ready to negotiate with civilian participation," he said. "I hope that this will help defuse the tension."

A ceasefire with vague enforcement

Salam also said Lebanon is ready to put in place a "verification mechanism" to investigate alleged violations of the ceasefire.

The November 2024 agreement required Lebanon to stop armed groups from attacking Israel and Israel to halt "offensive" military actions in Lebanon. It said Israel and Lebanon can act in "self-defense," without elaborating.

Under the ceasefire agreement, both sides can report violations to the monitoring committee, but the deal is vague on enforcement.

In practice, Israel has largely taken enforcement into its own hands and has maintained that its ongoing strikes are in self-defense. Hezbollah has claimed one attack since the ceasefire.

Salam said that in many cases, Israel strikes without reporting violations via the monitoring committee.

"Clearly, we cannot we be responsible for information that wasn't shared with us," he said. He added that Lebanon is willing to have U.S. and French troops on the ground to investigate and verify reported violations.

Salam said that Israel should fully implement its part of the ceasefire by withdrawing from Lebanese territory and should release Lebanese citizens captured during and after the war and currently detained in Israel.

While he insisted that Hezbollah is required disarm under the ceasefire and in accordance with the plan adopted by the government, the Lebanese state's options appear to be limited if the group refuses to do so.

"We have lived civil war - civil wars - in Lebanon. I don't think anyone is tempted to repeat that," he said.

Meanwhile, the country is facing the end of UNIFIL's peacekeeping mandate in southern Lebanon, which expires in just over a year, leaving greater uncertainty over the situation in the border area.

Salam said he would be discussing "what will come post-UNIFIL" with a delegation of representatives of the U.N. Security Council that is set to visit Lebanon later this week.

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December 03, 2025

Lebanon 'far from' diplomatic normalization or economic relations with Israel, prime minister says

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon's prime minister said Wednesday that his country was "far from" diplomatic normalizat...

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