Israeli FM rejects international pressure for Gaza ceasefire
Israel's foreign minister rejected on Tuesday what he called a "distorted campaign" of international pressure for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and recognition of a Palestinian state.
Gideon Saar told reporters that Israel ending the conflict while Hamas is still in power in Gaza and holding hostages would be a "tragedy for both Israelis and Palestinians".
"It ain't gonna happen, no matter how much pressure is put on Israel," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
2 hours ago
- LBCI
Trump says he did not discuss UK plan to recognize Palestinian state with Starmer
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not discuss London's plan to recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel takes a number of steps to improve life for Palestinians. Starmer said on Tuesday that Britain was prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly in response to growing public anger over the images of starving children in Gaza. "We never did discuss it," Trump told reporters on board Air Force One while traveling back to the U.S. after meeting Starmer in Scotland. Trump said recognizing a Palestinian state would reward Palestinian militant group Hamas. "You're rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don't think they should be rewarded," he said. Trump said the U.S. had sent money for food aid for Palestinians in Gaza, and that he wanted to make sure it's properly spent. "I want to make sure the money is spent wisely and is spent judiciously, and that food is distributed in a proper manner," he said.
Nahar Net
3 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Berri says Lebanese pinning their hopes on army
by Naharnet Newsdesk 9 hours Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday hailed the Lebanese Army on the 80th anniversary of its founding. 'Eighty years have passed since the creation of this unifying national institution and it still baptizing our holidays with loyalty, safeguarding sovereignty through great sacrifices, and protecting unity with the honor of belonging," Berri said in a statement. He added: "I salute with pride and appreciation the Lebanese Army with its command, officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, martyrs and wounded. It is the bet and focus of the Lebanese people's hopes for security, safety, defending the land and people, and creating Lebanon's revival." Berri's remarks come after President Joseph Aoun said that 'nothing represents a guarantee more than the army's weapons in the face of aggression.' 'Let us all stand behind the army, for experience has proven that its weapons are the most powerful, its leadership is the most reliable, and loyalty to it is the firmest,' Aoun added. He accordingly called on Hezbollah and its 'environment' to "bet on the Lebanese state alone," saying he "will not be lenient with those not concerned with rescuing the country" or those who "don't care" for it.
Ya Libnan
3 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
Canada and Malta join France and UK in plan to recognize Palestinian state
Canada and Malta say they will recognise Palestine, joining France and UK It comes as high-level representatives met at a UN conference on a two-state solution, which Israel and the United States have boycott. Canada and Malta announced Wednesday they will recognize the state of Palestine in September, joining France and the United Kingdom in stepping up pressure to end the nearly 80-year Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement after a Cabinet meeting. Christopher Cutajar, the permanent secretary at Malta's Foreign Ministry, made his country's announcement earlier at the U.N. General Assembly's meeting on a two-state solution to the conflict which was extended to a third day because of the high number of countries wanting to speak. Cutajar said Malta has long supported self-determination for the Palestinian people, and 'as responsible actors, we have a duty to work to translate the concept of a two-state solution from theory into practice.' 'It is for this reason that the government of Malta has taken the principled decision to formally recognize the state of Palestine at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly in September,' he said. Carney said Canada will also make its announcement at the annual gathering of world leaders which starts Sept. 23. He said the intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority 'holding general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state.' Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made those promises in a June 10 letter and it's unclear what more Carney is seeking. Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela earlier announced the decision by his country, a former British colony, to recognize a Palestinian state on Facebook, saying it is part of the nation's efforts 'for a lasting peace in the Middle East.' The Mediterranean island nation and European Union member will join more than 147 countries, including over a dozen European nations, in recognizing the state of Palestine. French President Emmanuel Macron announced ahead of this week's meeting that his country will recognize the state of Palestine at the annual gathering of world leaders at the 193-member General Assembly which starts Sept. 23. United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that Britain would recognize the state of Palestine before September's meeting, but would refrain if Israel agrees to a ceasefire and long-term peace process in the next eight weeks. France and Britain are the biggest Western powers and, with Canada, three members of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations have now made such a pledge. Israel opposes a two-state solution and is boycotting the meeting along with its closest ally, the United States. Israel's U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, on Tuesday sharply criticized about 125 countries participating in the conference and new recognitions of a Palestinian state, saying 'there are those in the world who fight terrorists and extremist forces and then there are those who turn a blind eye to them or resort to appeasement.' 'While our hostages are languishing in Hamas terror tunnels in Gaza, these countries choose to engage in hollow statements instead of investing their efforts in their release,' Danon said. 'This is hypocrisy and a waste of time that legitimizes terrorism and distances any chance of regional progress.' Malta's Cutajar countered that 'recognition is not merely symbolic – it is a concrete step towards the realization of a just and lasting peace.' High-level representatives at the U.N. conference on Tuesday urged Israel to commit to a Palestinian state and gave 'unwavering support' to a two-state solution, and they urged all countries that haven't recognized the state of Palestine to do so quickly. The seven-page 'New York Declaration' sets out a phased plan to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan would culminate with an independent, demilitarized Palestine living side by side peacefully with Israel, and their eventual integration into the wider Mideast region. A separate one-page statement titled the 'New York Call' approved late Tuesday by 15 Western nations says they have recognized, 'expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration … to recognize the state of Palestine, as an essential step towards the two-state solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call.' It included six that have recognized the state of Palestine and nine, including Malta and Canada, that had not. The seven that still haven't are Andorra, Australia, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino. Saudi Arabia's U.N. ambassador, Abdulaziz Alwasil, suspended the meeting 'until further notice' after the 128th and final speaker, saying an outcome document has been sent to all 193 U.N. member nations. States have until the beginning of September to endorse the document.
