Latest news with #Israeli-U.S.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bodies of an Israeli-American couple held by Hamas recovered by Israeli military
Bodies of dual citizen Israeli-U.S. husband and wife killed in Hamas' October 7th attack have been recovered by the Israeli military.
United News of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Israel says no ceasefire for release of US-hostage Edan Alexander
Jerusalem, May 13 (UN) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that there would be no ceasefire in exchange for the release of Edan Alexander, an Israeli-U.S. hostage who was freed by Hamas today. The United States informed Israel on Sunday that Hamas would release Edan Alexander, a U.S. born soldier in the Israeli army, who was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, in a Hamas-led raid on southern Israel that resulted in the kidnapping of 251 people and the killing of about 1,200 others. "Israel has not committed to a ceasefire of any kind or the release of terrorists but only to a safe corridor that will allow for the release of Edan," Netanyahu said in a statement. "We are in the midst of critical days in which Hamas has been presented with a deal that would enable the release of our hostages," he said. "The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting," he added. The Israeli Army Radio reported that the Israeli fighting had been halted since the morning hours, including airstrikes and surveillance drones, to enable the release of Alexander. A security official told Xinhua that Alexander was expected to be handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza, and from there he would be transferred to Israel's Re'im military base adjacent to the Gaza Strip to reunite with his family. Alexander is the last surviving hostage with U.S. citizenship, out of the remaining 59 hostages in Gaza, of whom Israel believes at least 21 are still alive. Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, arrived in Israel on Monday for talks with Netanyahu and other senior officials, a senior Israeli official said. According to Gaza's health authorities, Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 52,862 people since October 2023. UNI/XINHUA ANV GNK
United News of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Hamas to free Israeli-American hostage in bid to secure ceasefire, reopen crossings
Gaza, May 12 (UNI) Hamas said on Sunday it will release Israeli-U.S. hostage Edan Alexander from the Gaza Strip as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire and reopen border crossings for aid delivery. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and head of the group's negotiating team, said in a statement that Hamas had been in contact with the U.S. administration in recent days and had shown "great positivity" toward mediation efforts. "As part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire, open crossings, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the movement will release Edan Alexander," al-Hayya said. He added that Hamas is prepared to begin intensive negotiations immediately and engage seriously in talks aimed at ending the war, reaching a prisoner exchange deal, and establishing an independent, professional body to govern the Gaza Strip. Suhail al-Hindi, a senior official of Hamas, told Xinhua that the release would be within 48 hours. Alexander, 18, is believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza. A temporary ceasefire was reached in January, allowing for the release of some hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid during an initial six-week phase. However, talks collapsed after the first phase ended on March 1, halting both the prisoner exchange and aid deliveries. UNI XINHUA ARN
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
The 'College Thing' that Bill Gates didn't let his daughter Phoebe Gates do, despite being a poster boy of it himself
Iran's War Threat To U.S. & Israel Sends Chills Across Middle East | Big Tussle Over Houthi Attacks Tensions are rapidly escalating near Pakistan's western border as Iran issues a stern warning to the U.S. and Israel. Tehran's UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned recent threats from both nations over Yemen's missile strike on Israel's Ben Gurion airport. Iran rejected the allegations as 'provocative' and 'unfounded,' asserting its right to defend its sovereignty under international law. The statement follows coordinated Israeli-U.S. airstrikes inside Yemen, sparking fears of a wider regional war involving Iran—right next to Pakistan. Times Of India
Axios
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
UN and aid groups denounce Israeli-U.S. plan for Gaza aid delivery
The UN and all aid organizations operating in Gaza jointly announced they would not cooperate with an Israeli-U.S. plan to establish a new mechanism for aid delivery to Palestinians in the enclave because it "contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles." Why it matters: Israel has been blocking the delivery of all food, water, and medicine to Gaza since the ceasefire broke down two months ago. Now that the UN has rejected the new plan, it's very unlikely donor countries will fund it, putting the resumption of aid further into doubt. UN aid agencies say food supplies in Gaza will run out within days. Israeli officials claim they will completely run out in three to four weeks. Catch up quick: Axios reported on Friday that the U.S., Israel and representatives of a new international foundation were close to an agreement on how to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza without it being controlled by Hamas. According to that plan, aid operations in Gaza would be channeled through an internationally governed foundation, backed by nation states and philanthropic entities. Israeli officials said that according to the plan, several compounds would be built in part of Gaza and Palestinian civilians will be able to go there once per week to receive one aid package per family that will be sufficient for seven days. What they're saying: The heads of all UN agencies and NGO's who operate in Gaza said in a joint statement on Sunday that the plan Israeli officials presented them was unacceptable and would not enable the delivery of aid to "less mobile and most vulnerable people." "It contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic — as part of a military strategy. It is dangerous, driving civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement," they said in the statement. The UN and the aid organizations said they see the plan as a way for Israel to shut down the existing aid distribution system run by the UN and replace it with a new system controlled by the Israeli military. "The UN Secretary-General and the Emergency Relief Coordinator have made clear that we will not participate in any scheme that does not adhere to the global humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality. The heads of all UN entities and non-governmental organizations have unanimously affirmed this position", they added. The other side: A State Department official criticized the decision by the UN and the aid groups. "Folks found a creative, outside the box thinking solution to a difficult problem. This is something people should celebrate and support, especially given the needs of Gazans. Not to mention that it is a really bad optic for these groups to be on the same side as terrorist Hamas on this," the official told me. State of play: The suspension of aid deliveries and the resumption of Israeli strikes have once again displaced thousands of Palestinian civilians, delving the enclave further into a chaotic situation that has resulted in widespread looting and lawlessness.
