Palestinian Territories – AFP Israeli forces struck Gaza on Friday as truce efforts failed to make progress and tensions surged on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. Witnesses reported strikes on the southern city of Rafah and central areas of the Gaza Strip. At Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah, men...
Savelletri, Italy – AFP US President Joe Biden said Thursday that “the biggest hang-up so far” to a deal on a Gaza truce and prisoner release is Hamas. “I’ve laid out an approach that has been endorsed by the UN Security Council, by the G7, by the Israelis, and the biggest hang-up so far is […]
Madrid, Spain – AFP Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday hailed Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for his stance on the Gaza war which has seen the Spanish leader emerging as an outspoken critic of Israel. “Mr Sanchez has pursued a principled and consistent policy from day one (of the war) and has a special […]
Bari, Italy – AFP G7 leaders on Thursday called on Hamas to accept a roadmap towards a cease-fire in Gaza announced by US President Joe Biden in May. The UN Security Council had supported the plan and “now it is important that everyone implements it,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at the Group of Seven […]
Doha, Qatar – AFP Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed Wednesday to keep pressing to seal a Gaza cease-fire deal, saying that not all Hamas demands were acceptable but voicing hope that gaps could be closed. Consulting with key mediator Qatar on the Hamas response to President Joe Biden’s plan, Blinken said Hamas could have [&h...
LONDON (AA) – UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron has welcomed the UN Security Council’s adoption of a US draft resolution aimed at a comprehensive cease-fire in Gaza, calling it a crucial step towards ending Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. In a statement on X, Cameron emphasized the importance of the resolution in alleviating the p...
United Nations, United States – AFP The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a US-drafted resolution supporting a cease-fire plan in Gaza, as Washington leads an intense diplomatic campaign to push Hamas to accept the proposal. The text — passed with 14 votes in favor and Russia abstaining — “welcomes”...
WASHINGTON (AA) – Continuing the push for a cease-fire in Gaza, the top US diplomat is set for a four-nation Mideast tour next week. Starting Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar, the State Department said. “The Secretary will discuss with partners the need to reach a ceasefire [&helli...
Palestinian Territories – AFP As many as 77 Palestinians have been killed and 221 wounded in the past 24 hours by Israeli strikes, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza reportedly received 54 bodies and numerous injured individuals on Friday. Hospital spokesperson Khalil Al-Dakran has confirme...
ATHENS (AA) – Seventeen countries from around the globe have lent their support to the new roadmap for a cease-fire in Gaza revealed by President Joe Biden. “We fully support the movement towards a cease-fire and hostage release deal now on the table and as outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024. There is […]
