Mediators tell Hamas new Gaza talks to begin in Doha
'Mediators informed Hamas that a new round of indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel will begin in Doha today, Sunday,' the official, who is familiar with the talks and close to Hamas, told AFP.
The official said the Hamas delegation, led by its top negotiator Kahlil al-Hayya, was already in the Qatari capital.
The renewed talks are expected to focus on the conditions for a potential ceasefire agreement, with particular attention to the details of a possible hostage release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas is also seeking increased humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip and assurances for a lasting end to the conflict.
Two Palestinian sources close to the discussions said the latest US-backed proposal included a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and several bodies in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.
On Friday, Hamas said it was ready 'to engage immediately and seriously' in negotiations, and that it had submitted its response to the proposal, without offering any details.
On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that 'the changes that Hamas is seeking to make in the Qatari proposal... are unacceptable to Israel'.
Netanyahu however ordered negotiators to head to Doha to discuss 'the Qatari proposal that Israel has agreed to', the statement from his office said, later adding the delegation would travel on Sunday. – AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Trump eyes African mineral wealth in trade-focused summit
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised West Africa's natural resource potential as he hosted five of its leaders at the White House for a summit aimed at deepening trade ties and countering China and Russia's growing influence. In a luncheon meeting with the presidents of Senegal, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon, Trump said his administration was "working tirelessly to forge new economic opportunities" with African partners."There's great economic potential in Africa, like few other places," Trump said. "Vibrant places, very valuable lands, great minerals, great oil deposits." The talks focused on commercial partnerships and regional security, particularly around the stable supply of critical minerals, such as manganese, cobalt, lithium, iron ore and gold. All five nations represented are rich in such resources, with several supplying key inputs for batteries, steel and EV manufacturing. The summit comes amid a recalibration of US-Africa relations. The Trump administration recently shuttered the US Agency for International Development (USAID), signalling a shift away from a traditional aid model to a trade-based strategy. The decision is expected to disproportionately impact regions like West Africa, where USAID support remains substantial. Despite the aid cuts, the attending leaders offered praise for Trump. Liberian President Joseph Boakai said his country supported Trump's economic diplomacy, noting: "Liberia is a long-time friend of the United States... and we also go a long way with you in your diplomacy that has to do with economic development and commercial friendship." President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal said: "You can only do business when there is peace and security, and you build peace everywhere in the world," in reference to recent US diplomatic efforts, including in the Middle East and Central Africa. Security issues, particularly drug trafficking and instability in the Sahel, also featured in the discussions. Guinea-Bissau, a known transit point for cocaine shipments to Europe, remains a US concern. Meanwhile, reports last month indicated that Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal are among 36 nations being reviewed for potential US travel restrictions, a policy under consideration by the Trump administration. The US is also looking to reduce dependency on rival suppliers. China currently receives 22% of its manganese used in batteries from Gabon, while Russia has increased support for the Alliance of Sahel States. As part of the economic pivot, Trump reiterated his administration's stance: "We're moving away from charity and toward real partnerships." While critics warn the policy shift could undercut critical health and development gains, supporters argue it reflects a pragmatic approach to advancing US commercial and strategic interests across the African continent.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
US private sector committed to Malaysia, Asean despite trade tensions
KUALA LUMPUR: The United States private sector remains committed to investing in Malaysia and Asean, despite persistent trade tensions and tariff uncertainties. Tina Jamaluddin, chief country representative for Malaysia at the US-Asean Business Council (US-ABC), said the country gained nearly RM9.9 billion in approved investments from the US. She said despite all the noise coming out of the US and the tariffs, private sector commitment to Malaysia and Asean remains unchanged. "As far as the tariffs are concerned, we are not seeing any of our member companies saying that they're going to leave Malaysia or they're going to leave Asean. They're still very committed to being with us," she added. She said this to the media following the launch of the landmark white paper titled "Driving Asean Unity: Malaysia's Vision for 2025", a collaborative initiative led by Social and Economic Research Initiative (SERI) and the US-ABC. Tina further stressed the importance of inclusivity as Asean works towards finalising the Digital Economic Framework Agreement, which Malaysia hopes to conclude by the end of this year. "There are 10 individual countries in Asean, each at different levels of development. It's challenging to get everyone on the same page, but that shouldn't stop progress. "The key is to set a minimum standard and include everyone, including countries like Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, in the process," she added. Meanwhile, SERI managing director Rashaad Ali said Malaysia will forever remain of strategic interest to the US. "Malaysia, for decades, has successfully positioned itself as a middle power in the region, balancing influence from both the US and China," he said. He added that successive Malaysian administrations, current and past, have shown a steady hand in managing geopolitical shifts, including those brought about by changing US policies. Rashaad said cooperation is no longer optional in a fast-evolving digital and energy landscape. "Whether it's energy transition or increased digitalisation, isolation is not an option. "For example, to power data centres and build digital infrastructure, a shared regional power grid is essential. "It's not going to be easy, but collaboration is the only way forward," he added.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
EU Parliament revises rules after Huawei probe blunder targets wrong lawmaker
BRUSSELS: A major blunder in a Belgian corruption investigation linked to Huawei has forced the European Parliament to revise its rules, aiming to protect lawmakers from unfounded accusations. Italian MEP Giusi Princi was mistakenly named in the probe, despite having no connection to the case. Princi, a member of Forza Italia, was shocked when she learned Belgian prosecutors sought to lift her parliamentary immunity in May. Authorities alleged she attended a dinner with Huawei lobbyists in June 2023, but records showed she was not even in Belgium at the time. Instead, she was in Calabria attending her daughter's school play. 'I cannot understand how they could have made such a blatant mistake,' Princi told AFP. Despite submitting nearly 100 pages of evidence, including geo-tagged photos, her name was still publicly announced before prosecutors withdrew the request. The error prompted EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola to tighten procedures. Future immunity waiver requests must now include clear details of alleged crimes before being disclosed. 'I will not accept the targeting and tarnishing of MEPs without a solid basis,' Metsola stated. The mishap has raised concerns over Belgium's handling of EU corruption cases. Some lawmakers, like Green MEP Daniel Freund, argue such investigations should be handled by the European Public Prosecutor's Office. 'Some question marks hang over the Huawei probe,' Freund said. The Huawei case, involving alleged bribes to influence EU policy, has seen eight people charged. Four other MEPs named alongside Princi deny wrongdoing. - AFP
