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Egypt Today
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Truce proposal requiring Hamas to disarm not Egyptian, reflects Israel's 'military failure': SIS head
FILE – Israel renews airstrikes in Gaza – WAFA CAIRO – 17 April 2025: The head of the State Information Service (SIS) has clarified that a recent demand for Hamas to disarm as a condition for a ceasefire in Gaza is part of an Israeli proposal, not an Egyptian one. In TV remarks on Wednesday, Diaa Rashwan refuted claims by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz that Egypt was behind the proposal. Katz claimed that Egypt had, for the first time, proposed the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal. Rashwan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is imposing 'impossible' conditions for a ceasefire to avoid a permanent end to the war, which amounts to 'political suicide' for him. He described this demand as an admission of Israel's complete 'military failure,' emphasizing that Israel has been unable to eliminate Hamas's weapons since the war began in October 2023. 'How can Israel now resort to a political condition at the negotiating table and seek to do what it has failed to do with an army backed by all types of American weapons? This is an admission of Israel's complete military failure,' Rashwan stated. The Israeli proposal currently under consideration by Hamas suggests a 45-day ceasefire, during which the movement would release nine living Israeli captives and 16 deceased captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, both living and deceased. During this period, Hamas and Israel would negotiate a permanent end to the war and the disarmament of the Gaza Strip. Hamas has consistently referred to its weapons as a 'red line,' firmly rejecting any demands to disarm, making acceptance of such an offer highly unlikely. The Israeli proposal also includes the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, supposedly the last living American captive held in Gaza, on the first day. However, Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Tuesday that they had lost contact with the captors of Edan Alexander following an Israeli airstrike on their location, leaving his fate uncertain. In a video recorded by Hamas from captivity on Saturday, Alexander addressed former President Trump, blaming him for believing 'Netanyahu's lies,' and wondering why he is still held there. Hamas continues to hold 59 captives, with at least 22 believed to be alive, and has expressed readiness to release all remaining captives in exchange for an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops under a permanent ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Israel has only shown willingness to accept a temporary truce for the release of captives from Gaza, without any commitment to end the war. Rashwan emphasized that Hamas will not abandon its demand for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, insisting that the movement will not release all captives it holds unless an agreement is guaranteed by the US or has explicit Israeli approval signed as part of a permanent ceasefire. On March 18, Israeli forces resumed the war in Gaza, shattering a ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the US, and killing over 1,600 Palestinian, predominantly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. The original multi-phase ceasefire agreement, which took effect in January, led to the release of 38 captives held by Hamas, 30 of them alive, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, under the first phase. Israel, however, has refused to move to the second phase of the agreement, which included a permanent end to the war in exchange for the release of all captives, living and dead.
Egypt Today
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Israeli forces order evacuation of residents from Tal Al-Sultan of Gaza's Rafah
FILE - Israeli forces stationed in Gaza - WAFA CAIRO – 23 March 2025: The Israeli army issued an order on Sunday for the immediate and full evacuation of the Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, southern Gaza, designating the area as a 'dangerous combat zone.' Israeli forces have resumed attacks on Gaza since last week, breaking a ceasefire that had allowed for the release of dozens of captives taken by Hamas during the 7 October 2023 attacks. Extensive airstrikes have targeted several parts of the enclave and ground operations have been renewed, resulting in over 600 fatalities among Gazans. The US has expressed 'full support for Israel and the Israeli army in the actions they've taken in recent days.' The Israeli army instructed residents of Tal Al-Sultan to walk to the so-called 'humanitarian area' in Al-Mawasi, according to the Palestinian News and Info Agency (WAFA). Al-Mawasi has experienced mass killings of civilians by the Israeli army over the course of the war besides lacking essential infrastructure, including water, leading to the spread of diseases. Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Israel has repeatedly evacuated residents from various areas and also launched assaults without warnings, killing nearly 50,000 fatalities, most of whom are women and children, and forcing most of the population to leave their homes.
Egypt Today
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Israeli defense minister threatens to seize more Gaza territory unless Hamas frees captives
FILE - WAFA CAIRO – 21 March 2025: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened that his forces will seize and annex more territory in Gaza if Hamas does not release all the captives they still hold in the enclave. Katz emphasized that if Hamas refuses to release the captives, Israeli forces will maintain 'permanent Israeli control of the territory,' while 'evacuating the population and expanding security zones around Gaza to protect Israeli communities and soldiers.' Israeli officials' threats have been flying in the air since Tel Aviv launched renewed airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, shattering a two-month ceasefire and killing hundreds of people since then. On Wednesday, Katz directed a message to Gaza residents, urging them to 'remove Hamas' and 'return the hostages,' or face 'total devastation.' He warned in a video message on Twitter, 'Soon, the evacuation of the population from combat zones will resume, and what follows will be far more severe—you will pay the full price.' Israeli forces dropped leaflets in Gaza on Wednesday, urging people to leave voluntarily or face forced displacement, stating that 'the world map will not change if all the people of Gaza vanish.' The leaflets referenced US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, asserting that the plan 'will force you to leave, whether you like it or not.' The message also offered assistance to those willing to cooperate, stating, 'We will not hesitate for a moment to help.' It concluded with, '[To] whoever wishes to save themselves before it is too late, we are here and will remain until the Day of Resurrection.' An Israeli airstrike on a United Nations headquarters in central Gaza City on Wednesday killed a foreign national and injured five other foreign UN workers, according to the Gaza health ministry#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps:// — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 20, 2025 The US has expressed 'full support to Israel and the [Israeli army] in the actions that they've taken in recent days.' The Israeli attacks come after Trump threatened Hamas in March that there will be "hell to pay" if the captives are not released. In addition to airstrikes, the Israeli military announced the resumption of ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip, extending to the Netzarim Corridor that bisects Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israeli forces will strike Hamas with "increasing force," stating that future ceasefire talks facilitated by mediators will "only take place under fire." Hamas denied reports on Friday that it withdrew from ceasefire negotiations, including a possible prisoner swap. The movement stated it has 'responsibly and seriously' engaged with mediators regarding the proposal from US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Witkoff's proposal reportedly aims to extend the ceasefire until after Ramadan and Passover in exchange for additional captive releases. Hamas currently holds 59 captives in Gaza, including at least 22 believed to be alive. Hamas has rejected proposals to extend the expired first phase of the ceasefire to allow for more captive releases without Israel committing to end the war. Instead, Hamas has expressed readiness to transition to the second phase of the agreement, which includes a permanent end to the war, affirming its willingness to release all captives in one go in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. WITKOFF PROPOSAL While Hamas says it is studying Witkoff's proposal, Head of Hamas Abroad Khaled Mashal stated that the plan seeks to 'extort Hamas.' "The occupation seeks through this plan to extort Hamas by recovering prisoners from the first phase of the agreement, without addressing the requirements of the second phase related to sustainable calm and the complete withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza,' said Mashal in a statement released on Friday. He noted that Israel wants to 'negotiate with Hamas about Gaza's future, its governance, and its weapons, after being assured that the resistance had lost the leverage of the captives card.' Mashal highlighted that during the talks, Hamas accepted Witkoff's plan on the condition that it be part of the second phase, which guarantees a lasting ceasefire, the entry of aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Egypt Today
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Israeli forces resume Gaza ground operations after airstrikes shattered ceasefire, killed hundreds
A file photo of Israeli soldiers in Gaza - WAFA CAIRO – 20 March 2025: The Israeli military announced on Wednesday the resumption of ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip, extending to the Netzarim Corridor that bisects Gaza. The renewed operations follow waves of Israeli airstrikes that have battered Gaza over the past 48 hours, killing Hamas officials alongside hundreds of individuals across the enclave, the majority of whom are women and children. According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 436 people have been killed, including 183 children and 94 women, raising the total death toll since the start of the Israeli war in October 2023 to over 49,500. On Wednesday, Israeli attacks also struck a UN site in central Gaza City, killing a foreign staff member and injuring five other foreign workers, according to the ministry. Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services, stated, 'Israel knew that this was a UN premises, that people were living, staying and working there, it is a compound. It is a very well-known place." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a full investigation, noting that at least 280 UN workers have been killed since the war began in Gaza. DIVIDING GAZA The Israeli army indicated that the new ground operations aim to establish a partial buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of Gaza. Hamas condemned these moves, holding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for the repercussions of the ground incursion into the Netzarim Corridor. The Palestinian movement warned that this action constitutes 'a new and dangerous violation of the signed ceasefire agreement.' On Tuesday, Israel shattered a ceasefire with Hamas that had been in place since January 19, resuming airstrikes and interrupting ongoing negotiations regarding the future of the agreement. Under the first phase of the agreement, which expired on March 1, Hamas released 30 living captives and the bodies of eight of the deceased in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas expressed readiness to free all remaining captives in one go if Israel agrees to end the war, as stipulated by the second phase of the agreement, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. However, Israel has avoided transitioning to this phase, opting instead to call for an extension of the expired first phase to facilitate the release of additional captives in exchange for continued delivery of aid into Gaza without the obligation to end the war. Hamas stated it will not release more captives except under the second phase, leading Israel to cut humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, which is facing alarming levels of hunger, as well as to cut off power supply to the enclave. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a "last warning" to Gaza on Wednesday, demanding the return of the remaining hostages or facing 'total destruction and devastation.' Hamas still holds 59 captives in Gaza, including at least 22 believed to be alive. In remarks on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu asserted that Israeli forces will strike Hamas with "increasing force," stating that future ceasefire talks, facilitated by mediators, will "only take place under fire." Hamas said the recent Israeli strikes have overturned the ceasefire agreement, blaming Washington for the 'massacres and killings of women and children in Gaza' due to the US's 'unlimited political and military support' for the Israeli government. The US State Department blamed the resumption of war in Gaza on Hamas, highlighting a US-crafted 'bridge' proposal for a ceasefire extension in exchange for the return of captives. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a Fox News interview that Israel consulted President Donald Trump's administration before launching the airstrikes on Gaza. 'As President Trump has made clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran, and all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States will see a price to pay. All hell will break loose,' she remarked.
Egypt Today
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Foreign UN worker among hundreds killed in fresh Gaza strikes as Israel resumes war
FILE – Israel renews airstrikes in Yemen – WAFA CAIRO – 19 March 2025: An Israeli airstrike on a United Nations headquarters in central Gaza City on Wednesday killed a foreign national and injured five other foreign UN workers, according to the Gaza health ministry. The victims were transferred to Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in Central Gaza's Deir Al-Balah. This attack is part of an extensive military strikes launched by Israeli forces early Tuesday in Gaza, shattering a ceasefire that had lasted nearly two months and paused a war that has claimed over 49,500 Palestinian lives since 2023. In remarks on Tuesday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces will strike Hamas with "increasing force," asserting that future ceasefire talks, facilitated by mediators, will "only take place under fire." Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that the resumption of hostilities was due to Hamas' refusal to release captives held in the enclave, warning that 'the gates of hell will open in Gaza' unless captives are freed. Nadav Shoshani, a spokesman for the Israeli military, claimed that Israel carried out pre-emptive strikes in Gaza based on indications that Hamas was planning attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers. Hamas dismissed this assertion as 'baseless and flimsy pretexts to justify [Israel's] return to war.' The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement Tuesday expressing Egypt's strongest condemnation of the Israeli airstrikes that targeted Gaza Strip early Tuesday morning#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps:// — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 19, 2025 The renewed strikes have killed 436 Palestinians, including 183 children and 94 women, and have injured 678 others, most of whom are also women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. Moreover, Hamas announced that one captive was killed and two others were injured in Israeli airstrikes. The families of Israeli captives in Gaza called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "stop the killing and disappearance of the hostages" amid the renewed strikes. Hamas still holds 59 captives in Gaza, including at least 22 who are believed to be still alive. OVERTURNING CEASEFIRE Hamas stated that the recent Israeli strikes have overturned the ceasefire agreement, blaming Washington for the 'massacres and killing of women and children in Gaza' due to the US's 'unlimited political and military support' for the Israeli government. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a Fox News interview yesterday that Israel consulted President Donald Trump's administration before launching the attacks on Gaza. 'As President Trump has made clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran, and all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States will see a price to pay. All hell will break loose,' she stated. The Israeli government warned that the 'gates of hell' will open if Hamas does not release captives held in the enclave.#Egypt #Palestine #MiddleEast #Israel #GAZA | #تحيا_مصر #مصر #فلسطين #إسرائيل #غزة #تضامناً_مع_فلسطين #هدنة #الهدنة #الاسرى #رفح — Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 18, 2025 This escalation comes as negotiators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US, who have been mediating talks between Hamas and Israel since the war broke out in October 2023, have intensified efforts to secure a continuation of the ceasefire in Gaza. The ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, had halted a brutal Israeli war that devastated Gaza and left the population on the brink of famine. Under the first phase of the agreement, which expired on 1 March, Hamas handed over 38 captives out of dozens more it still holds since the 7 October 2023 attacks in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel has rejected Hamas's proposal to transition to the second phase of the ceasefire as scheduled under the original agreement, which includes an end to the Israeli war, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of all captives held there. Instead, Israel and the US have proposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire in exchange for the release of more captives and continued delivery of aid into the enclave without an obligation to end the war. Israel has halted aid deliveries to Gaza since 2 March and has stopped the power supply to the Strip to pressure Hamas into accepting the extension.
