Latest news with #StevenWitkoff
Saba Yemen
4 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
U.S. Rejects "Hamas" Response Emphasizing Rights of Palestinian People
Washington - (Saba): The United States, through its special envoy, Steven Witkoff, rejected on Sunday the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)'s response to the latest US proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, deeming it "totally unacceptable." Hamas, however, confirmed that it had submitted its response to mediators after a round of national consultations, stressing that "the content of the response reflects its commitment to a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal of enemy forces from Gaza, and ensuring the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid, in addition to a prisoner exchange agreement that includes the release of ten living Israeli prisoners and the return of the bodies of 18 others, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners," according to Quds Press. For their part, the resistance factions clarified in a joint statement that they "worked diligently on a formula to halt the famine, provide shelter, end the genocide, and pave the way for a state of stability that preserves the dignity of our people." They emphasized that "since the beginning of the war, no real plan has been presented to them to halt the aggression or guarantee the basic rights of the Palestinian people." The enemy forces reneged on the January 19 agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, and resumed their aggression on March 18, continuing their policy of genocide. Meanwhile, the resistance remained open to any effort to stop the war and protect civilians. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hamas announces release of last U.S. hostage in Gaza
May 11 (UPI) -- Hamas has announced it will release the man believed to be the last living U.S. citizen held hostage in Gaza, the group announced Sunday. Evan Alexander, 21, a dual citizen of Israel and the United States, has been at the center of recent negotiations and confusion about his whereabouts and ultimate release by Hamas, which said it had lost contact with the group holding him captive. Hamas originally agreed to release Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages in March, but changed course after saying it lost contact his captors, and blamed Israeli airstrikes for attacking the area where Alexander was reportedly being held. In light of Hamas' Sunday announcement, special U.S. to the Middle East Steven Witkoff told NBC News Sunday that he will travel to Israel to secure Alexander's release. "We are picking him up probably tomorrow," Witkoff said. There was a long negotiation with lots of people to thank. The family is ecstatic." The Hostage Family Forum released a statement confirming that it had been informed about Alexander's potential release. The group said it is "in ongoing contact with the U.S. administration regarding Alexander's release. Alexander's release is among a series of "the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid," Khalil al-Hayya, the leader of the Hamas negotiating team, said Sunday. He did not provide details on Alexander's physical condition, Middle East Eye reported. Alexander was among roughly 250 people serving in the Israel Defense Forces when he was captured and taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023 when the latest spasm of violence between a decades old war between Israel and Hamas erupted and resulted in the death of tens of thousands of people.
Al Manar
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Putin-Witkoff Meeting Ends after Lasting Three Hours
Russian President Vladimir Putin has concluded his meeting with U.S. special envoy Steven Witkoff. The talks, held in the Kremlin, lasted three hours, according to Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov. 'A three-hour conversation took place. It was constructive and very useful,' the Kremlin official. This marks their second meeting in the past two weeks and the fourth since the start of the year. The previous encounter took place in St. Petersburg on April 11 and lasted for more than four hours. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the issues discussed are multifaceted and highly complex, which naturally leads to lengthy conversations.
Asharq Al-Awsat
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
US Mideast Envoy: Trump's Gaza Plan is About Better Prospects, Not Eviction
The United States' envoy to the Middle East said on Thursday that President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza was not about evicting Palestinians, and the conversation about Gaza's future was being shifted towards how to create a better future for Palestinians. Trump proposed on February 4 the US should take over Gaza, with Palestinians resettled in other places including Egypt and Jordan, a suggestion which caused an international outcry. However, speaking at a Miami conference hosted by a non-profit, US envoy Steven Witkoff said that Trump's comments on Gaza were more about trying different solutions to those proposed over the previous 50 years, Reuters reported. He said that the war between Israel and Hamas has left much of Gaza destroyed and littered with unexploded ordnance, and it was impossible to see how people could return. "It's going to take a lot of clean-up and imagination, and a great master plan, and that doesn't mean we're on an eviction plan, when the President talks about this," Steven Witkoff told the FII Institute event. "It means he wants to shake up everyone's thinking, and think about what is compelling and what is the best solution for the Palestinian people. "For instance, do they want to live in a home there, or would they rather have an opportunity to resettle in some sort of better place, to have jobs, upside and financial prospects," he added.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US Mideast envoy says Trump's Gaza plan is about better prospects, not eviction
By David French MIAMI (Reuters) -The United States' envoy to the Middle East said on Thursday that President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza was not about evicting Palestinians, and the conversation about Gaza's future was being shifted towards how to create a better future for Palestinians. Trump proposed on February 4 the U.S. should take over Gaza, with Palestinians resettled in other places including Egypt and Jordan, a suggestion which caused an international outcry. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. However, speaking at a Miami conference hosted by a non-profit linked to the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, U.S. envoy Steven Witkoff said that Trump's comments on Gaza were more about trying different solutions to those proposed over the previous 50 years. He said that the war between Israel and Hamas has left much of Gaza destroyed and littered with unexploded ordnance, and it was impossible to see how people could return. "It's going to take a lot of clean-up and imagination, and a great master plan, and that doesn't mean we're on an eviction plan, when the President talks about this," Steven Witkoff told the FII Institute event. "It means he wants to shake up everyone's thinking, and think about what is compelling and what is the best solution for the Palestinian people. "For instance, do they want to live in a home there, or would they rather have an opportunity to resettle in some sort of better place, to have jobs, upside and financial prospects," he added.
