Latest news with #WitkoffDeal
Leaders
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Trump Renews Hope for Gaza Deal as Israel Strikes Children Collecting Water
The US President, Donald Trump, has again expressed hope that a ceasefire deal in Gaza would be finalized over the next week, although the latest talks in Doha has reached a stalemate. Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike killed ten people, including six children, at a water distribution point in central Gaza, one of many deadly incidents during the past few days. Trump Reviving Hope On Sunday, Trump expressed hope that ceasefire talks could achieve progress over the next week, even as the recent negotiations at Doha stalled, with both Hamas and Israel trading accusations over blocking the deal. 'Gaza — we are talking and hopefully we're going to get that straightened out over the next week,' the US President told reporters, according to AFP. Trump's remarks echoed similar comments he made earlier this month. During a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, last week in the White House, Trump said that negotiations were 'going along very well.' Earlier, he expressed optimism regarding the ceasefire deal. 'I'm very optimistic — but you know, look, it changes from day to day,' he said. Moreover, he expected a deal that would end the war in Gaza in similar comments on July 4. 'There could be a Gaza deal next week,' Trump told reporters back then. Stalled Talks The recent talks between Hamas and Israel in Qatar has faltered as both sides disagree on a number of issues, most notably the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The proposed deal involves a 60-day truce, during which Israeli troops would withdraw from parts of northern Gaza on the first day and parts of southern Gaza on the seventh day. However, Hamas and Israel should negotiate over the detailed maps, which is the main cause for the dispute, according to CNN. According to Palestinian sources, Israel wants to keep its troops in 40% of the Strip, forcing Palestinians into a small area near the southern city of Rafah. On the other hand, Hamas insists on a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israel accused Hamas of deliberately obstructing the deal. In a video address on Sunday, Netanyahu said that Israel accepted the deal but the Palestinian movement rejected it. 'We accepted the deal, the Witkoff Deal, and even later the version that the mediators proposed to us — we accepted that too. Hamas rejected it,' he said. The Israeli Prime Minister reiterated his determination on returning the hostage and defeating Hamas. 'What we need to do is the right thing: insist on the release of the hostages and insist on the second objective of the war in Gaza — the elimination of Hamas and ensuring that Gaza will never again be a threat to Israel,' he noted. As a result, the Egyptian, Qatari and American mediators urged both sides to delay talks until the US Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrives in Doha. Palestinian Children Killed Despite the ongoing ceasefire talks in Doha, Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, amid mounting civilian death toll. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the enclave's hospitals received the bodies of 139 Palestinians on Sunday, the highest number reported since July 2. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike killed 10 people, including six children, and injuring others at a water distribution point in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to Al-Awda Hospital. The Israeli military acknowledged the incident, blaming it on a 'technical error.' In a statement, it said the airstrike was targeting an 'Islamic Jihad terrorist' but due to a malfunction, 'the munition fell dozens of meters from the target.' It added that the incident was under review. Mounting Death Toll Israeli strikes also killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 40 on Sunday, after hitting a crowded junction at Gaza City, according to the Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex. These deadly incidents followed similar ones on Saturday, as the Gaza Health Ministry said that Israeli troops killed 27 people and injured others by opening fire at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) near Rafah. The US-backed organization and the Israeli military denied the claim. However, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its field hospital near the area had received 132 cases having weapon-related injuries, 25 of them died upon arrival while 6 more died after admission. The ICRC noted that this marked the largest number of fatalities since the hospital started operations in May 2024. 'This situation is unacceptable. The alarming frequency and scale of these mass casualty incidents underscore the horrific conditions civilians in Gaza are enduring,' the ICRC said. Israel's war on Gaza has claimed the lives of 58,026 Palestinians and injured more than 138,500 others since October 7, 2023. Meanwhile, over 830 people were killed near aid distribution sites, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday. Short link : Post Views: 65
New Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Israel warns Hamas to accept deal or be destroyed
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Israel on Friday said Hamas must accept a hostage deal in Gaza or "be annihilated", as US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement was "very close." It came amid dire conditions on the ground, with the United Nations warning that Gaza's entire population was at risk of famine. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas must agree to a ceasefire proposal presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff or be destroyed, after the Palestinian group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands. "Hamas will now be forced to choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Deal' for the release of the hostages – or be annihilated." Israel has repeatedly said that the destruction of Hamas was a key aim of the war. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war in Gaza have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resuming operations in March following a short-lived truce. In the United States, Trump told reporters "they're very close to an agreement on Gaza", adding: "We'll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow." Food shortages in Gaza persist, with aid only trickling in after the partial lifting by Israel of a more than two-month blockade. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, called Gaza "the hungriest place on Earth." "It's the only defined area – a country or defined territory within a country – where you have the entire population at risk of famine," he said. Later, the UN condemned the "looting of large quantities of medical equipment" and other supplies "intended for malnourished children" from one of its Gaza warehouses by armed individuals. Aid groups have warned that desperation for food and medicine among Gazans was causing security to deteriorate. Israel has doubled down on its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, while defying calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders for a two-state solution. This week Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the Palestinian territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. London said the move was a "deliberate obstacle" to Palestinian statehood while Egypt called it "a provocative and blatant new violation of international law and Palestinian rights." The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which includes Egypt, also condemned Israel's decision. On Friday, Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory are considered illegal under international law and seen as a major obstacle to a lasting peace in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Katz framed the move as a direct rebuke to Macron and others pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron on Friday said that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity." Israel's foreign ministry accused the French president of undertaking a "crusade against the Jewish state." Separately, a diplomatic source told AFP that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan would make the first visit of its kind to the West Bank on Sunday. The White House announced on Thursday that Israel had "signed off" on a new ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas. The Palestinian group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands, but stopped short of rejecting it outright, saying it was "holding consultations" on the proposal. Gaza's civil defence agency told AFP that at least 45 people had been killed in Israeli attacks on Friday, including seven in a strike targeting a family home in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinians sobbed over the bodies of their loved ones at Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital following the strike, AFPTV footage showed. "These were civilians and were sleeping at their homes," said neighbour Mahmud al-Ghaf, describing "children in pieces." The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but said separately that the air force had hit "dozens of targets" across Gaza over the past day. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Friday that at least 4,058 people had been killed since Israel resumed operations on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,321, mostly civilians. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.-AFP PIC
Nahar Net
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Israel threatens Hamas with 'annihilation' as Trump says Gaza ceasefire close
Israel has said that Hamas must accept a hostage deal in Gaza or "be annihilated", as U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement is "very close". It came amid dire conditions on the ground, with the United Nations warning that Gaza's entire population was at risk of famine. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Hamas must agree to a ceasefire proposal presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff or be destroyed, after the Palestinian militant group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands. "The Hamas murderers will now be forced to choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Deal' for the release of the hostages -- or be annihilated." Israel has repeatedly said that the destruction of Hamas was a key aim of the war. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war in Gaza have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resuming operations in March following a short-lived truce. In the United States, Trump told reporters "they're very close to an agreement on Gaza", adding: "We'll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow." Food shortages in Gaza persist, with aid only trickling in after the partial lifting by Israel of a more than two-month blockade. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, called Gaza "the hungriest place on Earth". "It's the only defined area -- a country or defined territory within a country -- where you have the entire population at risk of famine," he said. Later, the U.N. condemned the "looting of large quantities of medical equipment" and other supplies "intended for malnourished children" from one of its Gaza warehouses by armed individuals. Aid groups have warned that desperation for food and medicine among Gazans was causing security to deteriorate. - 'Crusade' against Israel - Israel has doubled down on its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, while defying calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders for a two-state solution. This week Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the Palestinian territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. London said the move was a "deliberate obstacle" to Palestinian statehood while Egypt called it "a provocative and blatant new violation of international law and Palestinian rights". The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which includes Egypt, also condemned Israel's decision. On Friday, Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory are considered illegal under international law and seen as a major obstacle to a lasting peace in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Katz framed the move as a direct rebuke to Macron and others pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron on Friday said that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity". Israel's foreign ministry accused the French president of undertaking a "crusade against the Jewish state". Separately, a diplomatic source told AFP that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan would make the first visit of its kind to the West Bank on Sunday. - 'Children in pieces' - The White House announced on Thursday that Israel had "signed off" on a new ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas. The Palestinian group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands, but stopped short of rejecting it outright, saying it was "holding consultations" on the proposal. Gaza's civil defense agency told AFP that at least 45 people had been killed in Israeli attacks on Friday, including seven in a strike targeting a family home in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinians sobbed over the bodies of their loved ones at Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital following the strike, AFPTV footage showed. "These were civilians and were sleeping at their homes," said neighbor Mahmud al-Ghaf, describing "children in pieces". The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but said separately that the air force had hit "dozens of targets" across Gaza over the past day. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Friday that at least 4,058 people had been killed since Israel resumed operations on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,321, mostly civilians. Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas' attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Khaleej Times
31-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Israel threatens Hamas with 'annihilation' as Trump says Gaza ceasefire close
Israel on Friday said Hamas must accept a hostage deal in Gaza or "be annihilated", as US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement was "very close". It came amid dire conditions on the ground, with the United Nations warning that Gaza's entire population was at risk of famine. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas must agree to a ceasefire proposal presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff or be destroyed, after the Palestinian militant group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands. "The Hamas murderers will now be forced to choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Deal' for the release of the hostages — or be annihilated." Israel has repeatedly said that the destruction of Hamas was a key aim of the war. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war in Gaza have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resuming operations in March following a short-lived truce. In the United States, Trump told reporters "they're very close to an agreement on Gaza", adding: "We'll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow." Food shortages in Gaza persist, with aid only trickling in after the partial lifting by Israel of a more than two-month blockade. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, called Gaza "the hungriest place on Earth". "It's the only defined area -- a country or defined territory within a country -- where you have the entire population at risk of famine," he said. Later, the UN condemned the "looting of large quantities of medical equipment" and other supplies "intended for malnourished children" from one of its Gaza warehouses by armed individuals. Aid groups have warned that desperation for food and medicine among Gazans was causing security to deteriorate. 'Crusade' against Israel Israel has doubled down on its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, while defying calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders for a two-state solution. This week Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the Palestinian territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967. London said the move was a "deliberate obstacle" to Palestinian statehood while Egypt called it "a provocative and blatant new violation of international law and Palestinian rights". The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which includes Egypt, also condemned Israel's decision. On Friday, Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank. Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory are considered illegal under international law and seen as a major obstacle to a lasting peace in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Katz framed the move as a direct rebuke to Macron and others pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron on Friday said that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity". Israel's foreign ministry accused the French president of undertaking a "crusade against the Jewish state". Separately, a diplomatic source told AFP that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan would make the first visit of its kind to the West Bank on Sunday. 'Children in pieces' The White House announced on Thursday that Israel had "signed off" on a new ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas. The Palestinian group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands, but stopped short of rejecting it outright, saying it was "holding consultations" on the proposal. Gaza's civil defence agency told AFP that at least 45 people had been killed in Israeli attacks on Friday, including seven in a strike targeting a family home in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinians sobbed over the bodies of their loved ones at Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital following the strike, AFPTV footage showed. "These were civilians and were sleeping at their homes," said neighbour Mahmud al-Ghaf, describing "children in pieces". The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but said separately that the air force had hit "dozens of targets" across Gaza over the past day. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Friday that at least 4,058 people had been killed since Israel resumed operations on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,321, mostly civilians. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas's attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Israel threatens Hamas with 'annihilation'
Israel on Friday said Hamas must accept a hostage deal in Gaza or "be annihilated", as US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire agreement was "very close". It came amid dire conditions on the ground, with the United Nations warning that Gaza's entire population was at risk of famine. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas must agree to a ceasefire proposal presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff or be destroyed, after the Palestinian group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands. "The Hamas murderers will now be forced to choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Deal' for the release of the hostages -— or be annihilated." Israel has repeatedly said that destruction of the militant group was a key aim of the war. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war in Gaza have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resuming operations in March following a short-lived truce. In the United States, Trump told reporters "they're very close to an agreement on Gaza", adding: "We'll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow." All the while, food shortages in Gaza persisted, with aid only trickling in after the partial lifting by Israel of a more than two-month blockade. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, on Friday called Gaza "the hungriest place on earth". "It's the only defined area -- a country or defined territory within a country -- where you have the entire population at risk of famine," he said. Later, the UN condemned the "looting of large quantities of medical equipment" and other supplies "intended for malnourished children" from one of its Gaza warehouses by armed individuals. Aid groups have previously warned that desperation for food and medicine among Gazans was causing security to deteriorate. Israel has meanwhile doubled down on its settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, while defying calls from French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders for a two-state solution. This week it announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. London called the move a "deliberate obstacle" to Palestinian statehood, and UN chief Antonio Guterres' spokesman said it pushed efforts towards a two-state solution "in the wrong direction". On Friday, Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to build a "Jewish Israeli state" in the Palestinian territory which Israel has occupied since 1967. Israeli settlements in the West Bank -- considered illegal under international law -- are seen as a major obstacle to a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Katz framed the move as a direct rebuke to Macron and others pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron on Friday said that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity". Israel's foreign ministry accused the French president of undertaking a "crusade against the Jewish state". Separately, a diplomatic source told AFP that Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan would make the first visit of its kind to the West Bank on Sunday. The White House announced on Thursday that Israel had "signed off" on a new ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas. The Palestinian militant group said the deal failed to satisfy its demands, but stopped short of rejecting it outright. In a statement on Friday, it said it was "holding consultations" on the proposal. Gaza's civil defence agency told AFP that at least 45 people had been killed in Israeli attacks on Friday, including seven in a strike targeting a family home in Jabalia in the north. Palestinians sobbed over the bodies of their loved ones at Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital following the strike, AFPTV footage showed. "These were civilians and were sleeping at their homes," said neighbour Mahmud al-Ghaf, describing "children in pieces". "Stop the war!" said Mahmud Nasr, who lost relatives. "We do not want anything from you, just stop the war." The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Jabalia strike, but said separately that the air force had hit "dozens of targets" across Gaza over the past day.
