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Asharq Al-Awsat
28 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Hamas Says it's Open to Gaza Truce but Stops Short of Accepting a Trump-backed Proposal
Hamas suggested Wednesday that it was open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel, but stopped short of accepting a US-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump hours earlier, insisting on its longstanding position that any deal bring an end to the war in Gaza. Trump said Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US leader has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire, and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war. Trump said the 60-day period would be used to work toward ending the war — something Israel says it won't accept until Hamas is defeated. He said that a deal might come together as soon as next week. But Hamas' response, which emphasized its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could materialize into an actual pause in fighting, according to The AP news. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said that the militant group was 'ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement.' He said Hamas was 'ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war.' A Hamas delegation is expected to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the proposal, according to an Egyptian official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, because he wasn't authorized to discuss the talks with the media. Disagreement on how the war should end Throughout the nearly 21-month-long war, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly faltered over whether the war should end as part of any deal. Hamas said in a brief statement Wednesday that it had received a proposal from the mediators and is holding talks with them to 'bridge gaps' to return to the negotiating table to try to reach a ceasefire agreement. Hamas has said that it's willing to free the remaining 50 hostages, less than half of whom are said to be alive, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel says it will only agree to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms and exiles itself, something the group refuses to do. An Israeli official said that the latest proposal calls for a 60-day deal that would include a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid to the territory. The mediators and the US would provide assurances about talks to end the war, but Israel isn't committing to that as part of the latest proposal, the official said. The official wasn't authorized to discuss the details of the proposed deal with the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. It wasn't clear how many hostages would be freed as part of the agreement, but previous proposals have called for the release of about 10. Israel has yet to publicly comment on Trump's announcement. On Monday, Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, days after Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu adviser, held discussions with top US officials about Gaza, Iran and other matters. Trump issues another warning On Tuesday, Trump wrote on social media that Israel had "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War.' 'I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,' he said. Trump's warning may find a skeptical audience with Hamas. Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would see the release of more hostages and a return of more aid for Gaza's civilians. Still, Trump views the current moment as a potential turning point in the brutal conflict that has left more than 57,000 dead in the Palestinian territory. Gaza's Health Ministry said the death toll passed the 57,000 mark Tuesday into Wednesday, after hospitals received 142 bodies overnight.
Arab News
44 minutes ago
- Arab News
Africa Day celebrations in Riyadh focus on unity, shared growth
RIYADH: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji has reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnership with African countries, promoting trade and integration and enhancing consultation and coordination on shared issues. Speaking at the Africa Day ceremony at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, the minister described Africa as a continent of opportunities with natural resources, a young population and renewable potential. He said African countries were important in Saudi foreign policy, stating: 'Africa hosts the largest number of Saudi diplomatic and consular missions, and the Kingdom intends to increase its embassies in Africa to more than 40 in the coming years.' Artists performing at the Africa Day 2025 held under theme: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. (AN photo/Basheer Saleh) Elkhereiji added that the Kingdom had provided more than $45 billion in support for development and humanitarian projects in 54 African countries, with Saudi aid agency KSrelief alone delivering more than $450 million in assistance across 46 African nations. Elkhereiji added that the Kingdom's goal was to invest $25 billion in Africa, secure $10 billion in exports and offer $5 billion in development financing to the continent by 2030. The event, 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,' was attended by more than 400 guests, including Saudi officials, diplomats, businesspeople and society members. The dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Djibouti's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, highlighted the day's symbolic and political importance, calling it a reminder to pursue an Africa based on dignity, fairness, and justice. Guests at exhibition of the Africa Day 2025 held under theme: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. (AN photo/Basheer Saleh) 'It is a day for remembrance, unity, and collective responsibility. We honor our ancestors, recognize our leaders' vision, and reaffirm our commitment to an African future founded on dignity, equity, and justice,' he said. He stressed the need for African states to raise their voices in international forums, strengthen pan-African cooperation, and promote youth, indigenous knowledge and cultural identities. Bamakhrama added: 'On its path to development, Africa does not walk alone and relies on the solidarity of its partners, especially Saudi Arabia. We welcome the resolutions adopted by the Saudi Arabia-Africa summit held in Riyadh in 2023, which marked a significant step in strengthening the strategic partnership. A guest at exhibition of the Africa Day 2025 held under theme: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations. (AN photo/Basheer Saleh) 'The Saudi Vision 2030 offers new opportunities to build lasting bridges between our people. Together we can transform this cooperation into a lasting alliance.' The head of the African Diplomatic Corps and Cameroon's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Iya Tidjani, paid tribute to the vision of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism, who saw African unity as essential for the continent's development and global standing. 'Sixty-two years ago, when Africa still bore the scars of slavery, colonization, apartheid and discrimination, African heads of state laid the foundations for the Organization of African Unity's charter, marking a turning point in the quest for independence. Their successors, supported by the African Union, remain committed,' he said. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khuraiji (center) with Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and ambassador of Djibouti Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama & Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors Iya Tidjani. (AN photo/Basheer Saleh) 'Africa Day, formerly African Freedom Day and later African Liberation Day, originates from the collective resistance of the African people. The 2025 commemoration under the theme of justice for Africans continues this legacy.' He urged younger generations to draw inspiration from the legacy and work toward the African Union's Agenda 2063 goals of inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the continent. On the sidelines of the reception, Africa's cultural diversity was highlighted by a handicraft exhibition representing various countries. Through the celebration, the African Diplomatic Corps aimed to convey solidarity, unity and determination to the international community while calling for dialogue, historical recognition and concrete action for justice for Africans and people of African descent.
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Hamas says studying new ceasefire offers
Hamas says it is studying new ceasefire offers which it has received from the mediators, adding in a statement that it seeks an agreement that will end the Gaza war and achieves Israeli army pullout from the strip.
