Latest news with #US-Hamas
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Report Claims Trump Threatened To "Abandon" Israel, US Official Denies
Tel Aviv: As Israel intensified its offensive in Gaza to take "total control" of the Palestinian territory, some of its closest allies, including the United States, might be threatening to withdraw their support from Jerusalem in the face of mass starvation in the enclave. The Trump administration has warned the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu government that Israel's failure to conclude the war in Gaza would lead to a withdrawal of American backing, according to a report by The Washington Post. Quoting an anonymous source familiar with the discussions, the newspaper reported that Trump's representatives have informed Israel that the US will "abandon" the country if it does not end the war. "Trump's people are letting Israel know, 'We will abandon you if you do not end this war,'" the source said. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt also said that "The president wants the war in Gaza to end," following last week's surprise release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, which was secured through direct US-Hamas negotiations without Israel's involvement. The report about the Trump administration's behind-the-scenes pressure followed a very public exclusion of Netanyahu during US President Donald Trump's Middle East visit last week. During his tour, where he met leaders of Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Trump said that "a lot of people are starving" in Gaza. "People are starving. Terrible things are happening there," Trump said, adding that during a call with Netanyahu in April, he asked him to allow more food and medicine into the enclave. "Gaza came up, and I said we need to be good to Gaza. People there are suffering." Pressure Mounts From Other Allies The leaders of Britain, France and Canada on Monday also condemned Israel's "egregious actions" in Gaza and warned of joint action if it did not halt a heightened military offensive in the Palestinian territory. Starmer, Macron and Carney slammed Israel's blocking of aid and comments by ministers in Netanyahu's government who have threatened the mass displacement of Palestinians. "We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response," the leaders said. They did not say what action could be taken but added: "We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end." Netanyahu's U-Turn Netanyahu seemed to be responding to the mounting pressure, saying on Monday that he'd be willing to end the conflict "if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarised." He also said it was necessary for Israel to prevent a famine in Gaza for "diplomatic reasons", after his government announced it would allow limited food aid into the territory. "We must not let the population (of Gaza) sink into famine, both for practical and diplomatic reasons," Netanyahu said in a video posted to his Telegram channel, adding that even "friends of Israel" would not tolerate "images of mass starvation". This was the first time Israel publicly acknowledged the threat of hunger in Gaza, despite repeated warnings from global hunger experts. Israel has said its blockade since March 2 was aimed at forcing concessions from the Palestinian group. 'US Official Deny Report' Israeli media countered The Washington Post report, quoting a US official who reportedly said there may be disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem, but "the idea that we would abandon Israel is preposterous." Talking to Times of Israel, the US official also denied reports that Israel's agreement to allow a small amount of aid into Gaza on Monday after a 78-day blockade was part of a secret deal with Hamas that saw the terror group release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander last week. "This was a goodwill gesture. The release was unconditional," the US official told The Times of Israel. US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, also reportedly dismissed The Washington Post report. "Their reporting is nonsense. They need to listen to what the President says - not what some uninformed 'source' pretends to know," he told Ynet news site.
Egypt Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Israel ramps up Gaza strikes, kills over 250 including women and children
Men in Gaza perform the funeral prayers for victims killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza who are wrapped in coffins for burial - WAFA CAIRO – 16 May 2025: Israeli forces have ramped up strikes on Gaza, killing more than 250 people, many of them women and children, bringing the total fatalities since the start of the war 19 months ago to over 53,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Hamas reported in a statement that the recent strikes across northern and southern Gaza have killed entire families, condemning the United Nations and its agencies for their 'complete absence of any effective action' in response to these 'acts of genocide.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed in May to escalate the offensive in Gaza, aiming to seize the enclave indefinitely despite widespread outcry. Israel is pressuring Hamas to accept a temporary weeks-long ceasefire that facilitates a prisoner exchange and allows humanitarian aid deliveries with Netanyahu pledging to resume attacks once the truce ends to 'destroy' Hamas. Hamas, which still holds 58 captives—at least 20 of whom are presumed alive—stated it will only agree to a prisoner swap if Israel approves a permanent ceasefire and withdraws its troops from the entire enclave. Tel Aviv is intensifying pressure on Hamas this week as Doha hosts rounds of indirect talks between Hamas and Israeli officials, led by US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Direct US-Hamas talks resulted in Hamas releasing US-Israeli captive Edan Alexander on Monday after more than 580 days in captivity since October 7, 2023. Hamas handed over captive Edan Alexander, the last US captive held by the movement in Gaza, to the Red Cross to then be transported to Israel on Monday afternoon, after reaching an agreement between the US administration and the movement to release the captive for allowing the… — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) May 12, 2025 Hamas described Alexander's release as part of its commitment to alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people by halting aggression and opening crossings for humanitarian aid. In a statement on Thursday, Hamas expressed its expectation for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza immediately, based on agreements reached with the US and communicated to mediators following Alexander's release. The group warned that any delay could hinder a potential prisoner exchange deal. Hamas also expressed its anticipation of a call for a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive negotiations on all issues aimed at achieving regional security and stability in line with these understandings. The US is leading efforts to resume aid to Gaza through a US-backed aid foundation, despite the UN's reluctance to collaborate due to concerns that this newly-established foundation may not adhere to the principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher criticized the plan as a 'fig leaf for further violence and displacement' of Palestinians in Gaza. US President Donald Trump said his administration 'shares the hope of a future of safety and dignity for the Palestinian people,' as he addressed the US-Gulf summit, held in Riyadh on Wednesday#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps:// — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) May 14, 2025 The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced on Thursday that it will begin aid deliveries to Gaza by the end of May, stating that Israel has agreed to resume aid following a blockade lasting over two months, according to media reports. The GHF asserted that Tel Aviv has approved 'the flow of transitional aid into Gaza under existing mechanisms' until the construction of Safe Distribution Sites (SDSs) is completed, although this will take time. Israel violated a ceasefire on March 18, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US two months earlier, which had allowed thousands of humanitarian aid trucks to enter the hunger-stricken enclave and resulted in the release of 38 captives, 30 of whom were alive.
Shafaq News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israeli attack kills 15 at Gaza school
Shafaq News/ At least 15 Palestinians were killed early Monday when Israeli airstrikes targeted a school sheltering displaced families in Jabalia, northern Gaza, according to Palestinian media reports. Medical officials later reported a total of 17 fatalities since midnight. Since hostilities resumed in March following a two-month ceasefire, Israeli forces have expanded their ground control in the enclave, tightened restrictions on humanitarian aid, and designated roughly one-third of Gaza as a "security zone." According to Gaza's Health Ministry, more than 61,700 Palestinians—most of them women and children—have been killed since the war began in October 2023. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces continued their campaign in the city of Jenin and its refugee camp for the 113th consecutive day, according to the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA). Military bulldozers have intensified demolitions inside the camp, aiming to alter its infrastructure and layout while maintaining a blockade that prevents entry or exit. Jenin Municipality estimates that around 600 homes in the camp have been completely destroyed, with hundreds more partially damaged and rendered uninhabitable. Residents report ongoing live fire and widespread destruction, particularly in the eastern neighborhood and Hayy al-Hadaf area. The municipality also reported that more than 22,000 people from the camp and surrounding areas have been forcibly displaced since January 21, when the offensive began. Since then, at least 40 Palestinians have been killed, with dozens more injured or arrested, amid growing humanitarian concerns. The Israeli escalation came despite a US-Hamas agreement to release Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander.
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Hamas to release US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander amid ceasefire efforts
Varda Ben Baruch, grandmother of US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander, points at a portrait of the captive PHOTOI:Reuters] Listen to article Hamas has announced plans to release Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old American-Israeli hostage held in Gaza, as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave. His release is expected within the next 48 hours, as confirmed by US President Donald Trump and US envoy Steve Witkoff, who is scheduled to travel to Israel to oversee the handover . The decision to release Alexander is part of broader negotiations involving the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, focusing on ending hostilities, reopening Gaza's border crossings, and allowing the entry of essential aid. Hamas has emphasised that the release is contingent upon the implementation of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, which includes the cessation of Israeli military attacks, the lifting of the blockade, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. This development marks a significant shift in US-Hamas relations, with direct talks taking place for the first time since 1997. While Israeli officials have expressed concerns over the potential implications of these negotiations, Hamas maintains that the release is a goodwill gesture aimed at advancing peace and stability in the region. The international community has largely welcomed the move, viewing it as a potential step towards de-escalation and the alleviation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This development follows despite Israel's recent invasion on Gaza that involved striking a school-turned-shelter and killing at least 15 people, as its total blockade of the besieged Strip extends into its 71st day. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have also launched attacks on Yemen's Hodeidah following warnings for civilians to evacuate three Houthi-controlled ports – Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Salif. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the Israeli onslaught has killed at least 52,829 Palestinians and injured 119,554.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hamas Says It Agreed to Release US-Israeli Hostage, Four Bodies
(Bloomberg) -- Hamas said it was ready to release a living American hostage and four bodies, though it was unclear if the US and Israeli governments sought such a move and whether they would accept it unconditionally. Trump DEI Purge Hits Affordable Housing Groups Electric Construction Equipment Promises a Quiet Revolution NYC Congestion Pricing Toll Gains Support Among City Residents Open Philanthropy Launches $120 Million Fund To Support YIMBY Reforms Prospect Medical's Pennsylvania Hospitals at Risk of Closure The Palestinian militant group has agreed to 'release Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, in addition to the bodies of four other dual nationals,' it said in a statement on Friday. It added that it was responding to a proposal from the mediators between itself and Israel — a group that includes Qatar, Egypt and the US. 'The movement affirms its complete readiness to begin negotiations' about a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Hamas said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Bloomberg. Hamas didn't specify if the four dead hostages were American-Israeli. The main Israeli forum for the hostages' families said there are that number of deceased American-Israeli captives in Gaza. US President Donald Trump's administration has said that getting Alexander released is a priority. But while an American official recently held direct talks with Hamas — designated a terrorist organization by Washington — the White House insisted it would not seek a deal favoring Alexander over the other hostages still held in Gaza. The US-Hamas talks angered Israel and Washington has since signaled there won't be any more direct negotiations. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was in Qatar this week to meet other mediators and Israeli negotiators. The US is aiming to get all the roughly 60 remaining hostages released from Gaza and ensure a ceasefire that began in January does not collapse. How America Got Hooked on H Mart How Trump's 'No Tax on Tips' Could Backfire for the Working Class How Natural Gas Became America's Most Important Export Disney's Parks Chief Sees Fortnite as Key to Its Future Germany Is Suffering an Identity Crisis 80 Years in the Making ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
