Latest news with #MatanAngrest
Egypt Today
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Israel to send delegation to Qatar to advance Gaza ceasefire talks Monday
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - FILE CAIRO – 8 March 2025: Israel is set to send a delegation to the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday to advance talks regarding Gaza ceasefire, according to an announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office today. The Israeli delegation's visit comes in acceptance of an invitation from mediators. Meanwhile, a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Friday to discuss the continuation of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas announced on Saturday that there are "positive indications" regarding the negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel in the Gaza Strip. The negotiations continue while Israel has halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2, the day after the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, expired. The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, halted a war that has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. It also allowed for the release of 38 captives held by Hamas, including 30 living individuals, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Hamas, which still holds 59 captives, seeks to transition to the second phase of the agreement, which includes the release of all captives in exchange for an end to the war. Israeli captive soldier Matan Angrest sent a message of distress in a few-minute new video released by Hamas on Friday. He urged his government to advance the ceasefire and captive-prisoner swap agreement with Hamas, stating that he and his fellow… — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025 Hamas stated it is prepared to release all captives at once if the second phase is initiated, which also entails the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, paving the way for a major reconstruction process. However, Israel aims to extend the expired first phase to facilitate the release of more captives without the obligation to end the war. Israel's aid blockade is intended to pressure Hamas into accepting the ceasefire extension, a proposal that the movement has rejected and described as an attempt to evade the continuation of the agreement. Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou stated in press remarks today that efforts by Egyptian and Qatari mediators are ongoing to finalize the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and initiate discussions for the second phase. He affirmed Hamas's commitment to engaging in negotiations that meet the demands of the Palestinian people and called for increased humanitarian efforts in Gaza along with the lifting of the blockade. Additionally, Al-Qanou noted that a delegation from the Hamas leadership has been in Cairo since Friday to explore ways to commence the second phase of negotiations and ensure Israeli compliance with the agreement.
Egypt Today
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Hamas reports ‘positive indications' in ceasefire talks amid Israeli Gaza aid blockade
Children in Gaza celebrate as the ceasefire in Gaza takes effect on Sunday, 19 January CAIRO – 8 March 2025: Hamas announced on Saturday that there are "positive indications" regarding the negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel in the Gaza Strip. Hamas's statements come as Israel continues to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2, the day after the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, expired. The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, halted a war that has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. It also allowed for the release of 38 captives held by Hamas, including 30 living individuals, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israeli captive soldier Matan Angrest sent a message of distress in a few-minute new video released by Hamas on Friday. He urged his government to advance the ceasefire and captive-prisoner swap agreement with Hamas, stating that he and his fellow… — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025 Under the ceasefire, thousands of humanitarian aid trucks have entered Gaza to address severe levels of hunger and food insecurity faced by the 2.3 million people in the enclave in the wake of the war. A Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo to discuss the continuation of the agreement. Hamas, which still holds 59 captives, seeks to transition to the second phase of the agreement, which includes the release of all captives in exchange for an end to the war. Hamas stated it is prepared to release all captives at once if the second phase is initiated, which also entails the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, paving the way for a major reconstruction process. However, Israel aims to extend the expired first phase to facilitate the release of more captives without the obligation to end the war. Israel's aid blockade is intended to pressure Hamas into accepting the ceasefire extension, a proposal that the movement has rejected and described as an attempt to evade the continuation of the agreement. Yemeni Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi announced on Friday that his group will resume naval operations against Israel if Tel Aviv does not lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza within four days#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps:// — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025 Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou stated in press remarks today that efforts by Egyptian and Qatari mediators are ongoing to finalize the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and initiate discussions for the second phase. He affirmed Hamas's commitment to engaging in negotiations that meet the demands of the Palestinian people and called for increased humanitarian efforts in Gaza along with the lifting of the blockade. Additionally, Al-Qanou noted that a delegation from the Hamas leadership has been in Cairo since Friday to explore ways to commence the second phase of negotiations and ensure Israeli compliance with the agreement.
Egypt Today
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Israel kills 3 in Gaza as Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for phase two ceasefire talks
A file photo showing destruction in Gaza due to the Israeli war - WAFA CAIRO – 8 March 2025: An Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed two Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing medical sources. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted a drone that had crossed into Gaza from Israel, along with "several suspects" attempting to retrieve it in what was described as a botched smuggling operation. The airstrike follows a similar incident on Friday, when an Israeli drone strike killed two individuals in Gaza. The military claimed the attack was aimed at a group of suspected militants near Israeli troops in northern Gaza who were allegedly planting an explosive device. The attacks come while officials from Hamas have arrived in Cairo to discuss the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel, after the first phase of the agreement that took effect on 19 January expired on 1 March. Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) announced that these discussions aim to address the procedures for implementing the ceasefire and to advance negotiations into the second phase of the agreement. Egypt is conducting intensive diplomatic efforts with Qatar, the US as well as Hamas leaders to expedite the transition into this next phase, the SIS said, highlighting Egyptian-Qatari efforts to provide pertinent essential guarantees. As tensions persist, both Hamas and Israel are under increasing pressure to uphold the ceasefire, while mediators of the ceasefire: Egypt, Qatar and the US continue facilitating negotiations. Hamas still keeps 59 captives in Gaza, including at least 22 who are still alive. Israeli captive soldier Matan Angrest sent a message of distress in a few-minute new video released by Hamas on Friday. He urged his government to advance the ceasefire and captive-prisoner swap agreement with Hamas, stating that he and his fellow… — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025 Israel is striving to extend the expired first phase to allow for the release of more captives without the obligation to end the war. The first phase saw Hamas release 38 captives, including eight deceased, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has rejected the extension proposal, initially suggested by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, calling it an attempt by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to evade the agreement. To pressure Hamas into accepting the extension, Israel has imposed a blockage on all humanitarian aid entering Gaza since 2 March. Yemeni Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi announced on Friday that his group will resume naval operations against Israel if Tel Aviv does not lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza within four days#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps:// — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025 Hamas has expressed its readiness to release all remaining captives in Gaza in one go in exchange for ending the war and withdrawing Israeli troops under the second phase of the deal. The US, under President Donald Trump, has intensified negotiations to release the remaining captives in Gaza with American negotiators engaging in direct talks with Hamas last week. Two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told Axios that the US, represented by presidential envoy for captive affairs Adam Boehler, and Hamas discussed the possibility of a broader deal to end the Israeli war in Gaza. Direct US-Hamas negotiations are unprecedented and represent a significant departure from the US longstanding policy of avoiding direct engagement with the movement.
Egypt Today
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Israel strikes Gaza as Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for phase two ceasefire talks
A file photo showing destruction in Gaza due to the Israeli war - WAFA CAIRO – 8 March 2025: An Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed two Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing medical sources. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted a drone that had crossed into Gaza from Israel, along with "several suspects" attempting to retrieve it in what was described as a botched smuggling operation. The airstrike follows a similar incident on Friday, when an Israeli drone strike killed two individuals in Gaza. The military claimed the attack was aimed at a group of suspected militants near Israeli troops in northern Gaza who were allegedly planting an explosive device. The attacks come while officials from Hamas have arrived in Cairo to discuss the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel, after the first phase of the agreement that took effect on 19 January expired on 1 March. Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) announced that these discussions aim to address the procedures for implementing the ceasefire and to advance negotiations into the second phase of the agreement. Egypt is conducting intensive diplomatic efforts with Qatar, the US as well as Hamas leaders to expedite the transition into this next phase, the SIS said, highlighting Egyptian-Qatari efforts to provide pertinent essential guarantees. As tensions persist, both Hamas and Israel are under increasing pressure to uphold the ceasefire, while mediators of the ceasefire: Egypt, Qatar and the US continue facilitating negotiations. Hamas still keeps 59 captives in Gaza, including at least 22 who are still alive. Israeli captive soldier Matan Angrest sent a message of distress in a few-minute new video released by Hamas on Friday. He urged his government to advance the ceasefire and captive-prisoner swap agreement with Hamas, stating that he and his fellow… — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025 Israel is striving to extend the expired first phase to allow for the release of more captives without the obligation to end the war. The first phase saw Hamas release 38 captives, including eight deceased, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has rejected the extension proposal, initially suggested by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, calling it an attempt by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to evade the agreement. To pressure Hamas into accepting the extension, Israel has imposed a blockage on all humanitarian aid entering Gaza since 2 March. Yemeni Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi announced on Friday that his group will resume naval operations against Israel if Tel Aviv does not lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza within four days#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps:// — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 8, 2025 Hamas has expressed its readiness to release all remaining captives in Gaza in one go in exchange for ending the war and withdrawing Israeli troops under the second phase of the deal. The US, under President Donald Trump, has intensified negotiations to release the remaining captives in Gaza with American negotiators engaging in direct talks with Hamas last week. Two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told Axios that the US, represented by presidential envoy for captive affairs Adam Boehler, and Hamas discussed the possibility of a broader deal to end the Israeli war in Gaza. Direct US-Hamas negotiations are unprecedented and represent a significant departure from the US longstanding policy of avoiding direct engagement with the movement.
Khaleej Times
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Gaza war: Hamas releases video showing Israeli hostage alive
Hamas released a video on Friday showing Israeli hostage Matan Angrest alive, footage that his family said had left them "shaken" as they accused his captors of torturing him in captivity. In the footage, Angrest, who turned 22 in November, calls on the Israeli authorities to implement the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal. "We are shaken by the video we just saw, in which we see our Matan looking drained and desperate after 518 days in Hamas's tunnels," the family said in a statement issued by Israeli campaign group, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Angrest says in the video he has been held for 511 days, suggesting it was shot last week. The family said the video showed Angrest had been "tortured" in captivity and provided further evidence that time was running out for the remaining hostages. "Beyond the severe psychological state evident in the footage, his right hand is non-functional, his eyes and mouth are asymmetrical, and his nose is broken — according to testimonies from those who have returned," the family said. "All due to interrogations and torture in captivity. What more proof is needed to understand that time has run out?" Angrest was abducted from the Nahal Oz base after trying in vain to contact his family during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. In September, during a demonstration for the hostages, his mother, Anat, released an audio recording of him found in Gaza by the Israeli army, in which he asks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to swap Palestinian prisoners for the hostages. Angrest, who comes from Kiryat Bialik in northern Israel, is a supporter of Maccabi Haifa football club, according to his family. On Friday, the family urged US President Donald Trump to proceed with the ceasefire deal and not stop until "the last hostage comes home". The first phase of the ceasefire ended last weekend, after six weeks of relative calm that included exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. While Israel has said it wants to extend the first phase until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on a transition to the second phase, which should lead to a permanent end to the war. Of the 251 hostages taken during the 2023 attack, 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military has said are dead.
