Latest news with #StevenWeitekamp
Al Bawaba
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Netanyahu "Manipulates the world" with sudden withdrawal
ALBAWABA - Amid rising tensions and delayed ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his high-level negotiating team to leave Doha. As part of the first phase of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" prisoner exchange arrangement, the first group of Israeli inmates was freed in Gaza at the same time as the action. The technical team is still in Doha, while the top negotiating group has returned to Israel for talks, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office. Although Hamas is said to still oppose the idea, the Israeli government says it has accepted a proposal for the release of captives made by U.S. ambassador Steven Weitekamp. Threats from the Military During a Diplomatic Deadlock In the event that discussions are unsuccessful, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi threatened to escalate military action, warning Hamas that its only choice is to free the captives. In addition, he said that if an agreement is struck, the Israeli force is ready to modify its approach while extending its ground operation and destroying what he referred to as "terrorist infrastructure." Families of Israeli prisoners of war responded with indignation, claiming that the delegation's departure shows that the government does not really want to put an end to the war. In a statement, they urged the government to prioritize a solution, even if it meant stopping the assault, saying, "This move means the loss of the captives and deeper entrenchment in Gaza." According to a Channel 13 survey, 67% of Israelis are in favor of an agreement that would put an end to the conflict and guarantee the repatriation of all prisoners. Netanyahu Is Misleading the World About Hamas In response, Hamas made harsh charges, claiming that Netanyahu is deceiving the world by sending a team to talk without any actual power. The organization called Israeli claims of letting supplies into Gaza "optical illusions" and said there haven't been any meaningful negotiations since last Saturday. No supply trucks, including those that are said to have arrived at the Kerem Shalom border, have entered the Strip, Hamas said. The organization also said that Netanyahu's refusal to find a peaceful solution is shown by Israel's intentional bombardment of civilian facilities and massacres. Hamas reaffirmed its determination to actively participate in any effort aimed at bringing the conflict to a conclusion and fully blamed the Israeli government for the discussions' derailment. Read "Elon Musk's Grok AI Once Again Going Haywire, Is Now Spontaneously Generating Images Of Jeffrey Epstein, Hitler, Netanyahu' on SmartNews — nickymac (@genekraszewski1) May 20, 2025 United States and Qatar Continue Mediation Efforts Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar, affirmed that the United States, Egypt, and Qatar are still working on a truce. He lamented that the release of captive Idan Alexander did not result in a de-escalation but rather in more intense Israeli attacks while speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. Al Thani further admitted that the continuing Doha negotiations are still stalled by a considerable divide between the parties. He underlined that the only practical way to resolve the problem is still via diplomacy. Spokesman for the White House Karoline Leavitt, meantime, reaffirmed that US President Donald Trump supports a ceasefire and the release of all captives. Washington is interacting with all sides and has called on Hamas to release the prisoners, she said. Progress is being made, according to U.S. captive envoy Adam Boehler, who also said that he is open to any meaningful offer from Hamas. The Washington Post claims that the United States has increased pressure on Israel and warned that Washington's continuing backing might be contingent on Tel Aviv ceasing its military assault in Gaza.
Al Bawaba
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Last Update: Baghdad hosts 34th Arab league summit
ALBAWABA - U.S. President Donald Trump openly questioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's capacity to reach an agreement to release Israeli prisoners in Gaza as hostage talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Doha. Yedioth Ahronoth said that while there hasn't been any major progress, the Israeli negotiation delegation is still in Doha and is following the American plan spearheaded by Trump's Middle East envoy, Steven Weitekamp. According to Israeli authorities, the delegation's withdrawal has not yet been decided. Trump added, "I don't know if Netanyahu is capable of signing a hostage deal and securing their release," in response to the situation. We will soon find out. He said he is negotiating with Israel to get the captives home, acknowledging that their circumstances are not good. The discussion delegation is expected to remain in Doha until at least Saturday night, according to Axios, which cited anonymous Israeli sources. According to reports, the team urged Netanyahu to go on with negotiations, claiming that there is still a potential for a resolution. But annoyances are growing. Qatari mediators claim that the Israeli side has not presented any substantive suggestions in recent days, creating the appearance that they arrived in Doha to obstruct negotiations and defend the continuation of military operations in Gaza rather than engage in dialogue. According to one Israeli minister cited by Axios, while Netanyahu says he is trying to reach an agreement, talks have effectively come to a standstill. Protests are still going on in Israel. Demanding a hostage exchange, protesters gathered in front of the Jerusalem home of the Knesset Speaker. Israel is "just steps away" from missing another chance for a deal, according to the Israeli Hostage Families Forum. The forum charged Netanyahu of squandering a vital opportunity to bring the captives back and put a stop to the conflict. "Israel is being pulled further into the Gaza quagmire rather than bringing the conflict to an end," the organization said. Additionally, it urged Trump and Netanyahu to work harder to advance the cause before it's too late. Recently, President Trump wrapped up a four-day visit to the Middle East. He said that "good things" would occur with relation to Gaza in the next month, but he did not elaborate. He also said that the United States should assist the hungry Palestinians and reaffirmed his concern for the humanitarian situation in the Strip.
Al Bawaba
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
'Can he do It?' – Trump questions Netanyahu's grip
ALBAWABA - U.S. President Donald Trump openly questioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's capacity to reach an agreement to release Israeli prisoners in Gaza as hostage talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Doha. Yedioth Ahronoth said that while there hasn't been any major progress, the Israeli negotiation delegation is still in Doha and is following the American plan spearheaded by Trump's Middle East envoy, Steven Weitekamp. According to Israeli authorities, the delegation's withdrawal has not yet been decided. Trump added, "I don't know if Netanyahu is capable of signing a hostage deal and securing their release," in response to the situation. We will soon find out. He said he is negotiating with Israel to get the captives home, acknowledging that their circumstances are not good. Behind-the-scenes tensions and uncertainties The discussion delegation is expected to remain in Doha until at least Saturday night, according to Axios, which cited anonymous Israeli sources. According to reports, the team urged Netanyahu to go on with negotiations, claiming that there is still a potential for a resolution. But annoyances are growing. Qatari mediators claim that the Israeli side has not presented any substantive suggestions in recent days, creating the appearance that they arrived in Doha to obstruct negotiations and defend the continuation of military operations in Gaza rather than engage in dialogue. According to one Israeli minister cited by Axios, while Netanyahu says he is trying to reach an agreement, talks have effectively come to a standstill. Growing Stress at Home Protests are still going on in Israel. Demanding a hostage exchange, protesters gathered in front of the Jerusalem home of the Knesset Speaker. Israel is "just steps away" from missing another chance for a deal, according to the Israeli Hostage Families Forum. The forum charged Netanyahu of squandering a vital opportunity to bring the captives back and put a stop to the conflict. "Israel is being pulled further into the Gaza quagmire rather than bringing the conflict to an end," the organization said. Additionally, it urged Trump and Netanyahu to work harder to advance the cause before it's too late., 🇺🇸 #Trump Rejects Gaza Ceasefire, Proposes Controversial "Freedom Zone" As Israeli strikes kill 80+ Palestinians in Gaza, Trump concludes his Middle East tour with no aid breakthrough: — RRN News (@RRNupdates) May 16, 2025 Regional and U.S. Context Recently, President Trump wrapped up a four-day visit to the Middle East. He said that "good things" would occur with relation to Gaza in the next month, but he did not elaborate. He also said that the United States should assist the hungry Palestinians and reaffirmed his concern for the humanitarian situation in the Strip.
Al Bawaba
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Israel strikes Hamas again — is Abu Ubaida dead?
ALBAWABA - In order to achieve a truce in the Gaza Strip and make it easier for humanitarian supplies to enter, Hamas is engaged in direct and advanced talks with the U.S. administration, a senior Hamas official acknowledged on Sunday. According to reports, the negotiations have been going on for a few days. The talks center on resolving the humanitarian situation in the besieged area and bringing an end to the conflict, which is currently in its twentieth month, the official told Al Jazeera. A senior Palestinian source also told Reuters that the goal of the talks with the United States is to put a stop to the fighting and get much-needed aid into Gaza. U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steven Weitekamp is reportedly working with Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, who act as middlemen with Hamas, to discuss a possible prisoner swap and investigate a broader peace agreement, according to an Axios article. Before or during President Donald Trump's impending trip to the area in mid-May, Weitekamp has also voiced expectations for a breakthrough. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a high-level security conference with defense officials and senior ministers on Sunday night to discuss the possibilities of starting full-scale military operations in Gaza or proceeding with a prisoner exchange in the midst of the increasing diplomatic activity. أبو عبيدة، الذي يترقّب الجمهور الإسرائيلي بأكمله خبر استشهاده، ينشر قبل قليل تغريدة يبارك فيها عملية إطلاق النار غرب سلفيت، والتي قُتلت فيها مستوطِنة وأُصيب آخر بجراح حرجة، فيما انسحب المنفذ من المكان . — Tamer | تامر (@tamerqdh) May 14, 2025 Meanwhile, Israel's Security Cabinet will meet at 6:30 PM local time to evaluate the situation in Gaza, particularly in light of President Trump's expected visit and increased international attempts to mediate a ceasefire, according to a report in the Maariv daily. According to reports, U.S. authorities are increasing pressure on the Israeli government to make a deal with Hamas. The Biden administration sees a truce as a strategic priority and has cautioned Israel that any additional delay might result in its diplomatic isolation, according to people familiar with the situation who spoke to Haaretz. Envoy Weitekamp allegedly cautioned that further military action puts the hostages' lives at greater danger at a recent discussion with the relatives of Israeli prisoners. He underlined that if the battle goes on without a deal, Israel would be held accountable. According to sources who spoke to Haaretz, Weitekamp ordered the purposeful release of his comments of the Israeli government, indicating Washington's mounting annoyance. Israeli media, meanwhile, said that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu's relationship was deteriorating. The U.S. president has suspended direct contact with Israeli leader Netanyahu after receiving advice from his inner circle that Netanyahu is trying to influence U.S. policy for domestic political advantage, according to Israeli Army Radio.
