News & Events

Hamas has rejected a ceasefire proposal that would have brought the release of a small number of Israeli captives and a 30-day cessation of hostilities, but no withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s weekend airstrikes against Iran have inspired the usual commentary. Some fear that it marks a severe escalation, spurring the region closer to all-out war. Others hope that it could spark a winding-down of tensions, possibly creating the conditions for a broad cease-fire.

Egypt has proposed a two-day ceasefire in Gaza which would entail an exchange of four Israeli hostages for some Palestinian prisoners, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Sunday.

Negotiations over a potential Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal are set to resume in Doha in the coming days, officials from the US, Israel and Qatar have said.

With Israeli forces pounding targets in northern Gaza and Lebanon despite U.S. objections, Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked Monday for the Middle East to try to bring about a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas amid signs of Washington’s limited influence over Israeli policy.

US president joins western leaders in urging Israeli PM to seek end to war, as Iran suggests death inspires future generations and Hezbollah vows escalation.

Palestinian group, Hamas, said Thursday that a call by the EU-Gulf summit for a Gaza ceasefire and opening border crossings requires “practical steps” to oblige Israel to halt its genocidal war on the Palestinian enclave, Anadolu Agency reports.

The plan is based on ideas developed by Israel and the United Arab Emirates.