Qatar is the go-to mediator in the Mideast war. Its unprecedented Tel Aviv trip saved a shaky truce
The deal seemed on the verge of unraveling. Hamas had accused Israel of failing to keep its side of the bargain and Israel was threatening to resume its lethal onslaught on the Gaza Strip.
That was the point at which a Qatari jet landed at Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport on Saturday. Negotiators aboard set to work, seeking to save the cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers before it fell apart and scuttled weeks of high-stakes diplomatic wrangling.
The first public visit by Qatari officials to Israel marked an extraordinary moment for the two countries, which have no official diplomatic relations. It also underscored the major role of the tiny emirate in bridging differences between the enemies. (Read more)
Two Palestinian attackers opened fire at a bus stop during the morning rush hour at the entrance to Jerusalem, killing at least three people and wounding eight others, Israeli police said. "The terrorists arrived at the scene by car in the morning, armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun," police said. "The terrorists began shooting at civilians before subsequently being killed at the scene."
The shooters came from East Jerusalem and were stopped by off-duty soldiers and another civilian who was nearby, police said.
monthly limit of free stories.
with an Express account.
Security camera footage obtained by Reuters showed the moments of the attack. A white car is seen stopped beside a crowded bus stop. Two men then step out, guns drawn, and run at the crowd as people scatter. Shortly afterwards the Palestinian attackers are gunned down. "This attack is further proof for our commitment to continue fighting with strength and determination against the murderous terrorism that threatens our citizens," Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's war cabinet, wrote on social media platform X.
Two Palestinian attackers opened fire at a bus stop during the morning rush hour today at the entrance to Jerusalem, killing at least three people and wounding eight others, Israeli police said.
"The terrorists arrived at the scene by car in the morning, armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun," police said. "The terrorists began shooting at civilians before subsequently being killed at the scene."
The shooters came from East Jerusalem and were stopped by off-duty soldiers and another civilian who was nearby, police said. (Reuters)
At the UNGA, Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, reaffirmed India's enduring relationship with the Palestinian people, rooted in historical ties. She emphasized India's consistent support for Palestinian aspirations for statehood, peace, and prosperity.
Kamboj highlighted concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, condemning the loss of civilian lives, particularly among women and children. She urged all parties to take responsibility and welcomed international efforts for de-escalation and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestine amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
At least seven people were wounded in a shooting attack in Jerusalem today, Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said.
Police said that the two suspected attackers "were neutralised on the spot." A large number of ambulances and police converged on the scene of the shooting, which happened during morning rush hour at one of the entrances to the city.
Israeli media reported that two shooters opened fire near a bus stop. Magen David Adom said that two of the wounded were in critical condition. (Reuters)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that Israel will resume its campaign to eliminate Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years and orchestrated the deadly attack on Israel that triggered the war.
“After this phase of returning our abductees is exhausted, will Israel return to fighting? So my answer is an unequivocal yes,” he said. “There is no way we are not going back to fighting until the end.” (Reuters)
Billionaire Elon Musk told advertisers that have fled his social media platform X over antisemitic content to “Go fuck yourself” in a fiery Wednesday interview.
His profanity-laced remarks followed a moment of contrition in a New York Times DealBook Summit interview. Musk said repeatedly he was sorry for publishing a tweet on Nov. 15 that agreed with an anti-Jewish post. Musk has faced a torrent of criticism ever since he agreed with a user who falsely claimed Jewish people were stoking hatred against white people. Musk in his post said the user, who referenced the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, was speaking “the actual truth.”
On Wednesday, Musk said he had “handed a loaded gun” to both detractors and antisemitic people, describing his post as possibly the worst he had made during a history of messages that included many “foolish” ones. (Read more)
Israel and Hamas agreed today to extend the ceasefire in their war by at least one more day, minutes before the six-day truce was due to expire. Israel's military said in a statement the truce will continue as mediators sought to release more hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The Israel-Hamas humanitarian pause was extended, making November 29th the 6th day that fighting has been halted since war began. 81 hostages and 180 Palestinian prisoners have been released over the course of the last 5 days. The pause is expected to end today, November 29th.
Gaza's ruling Hamas group said Israel declined to receive seven women and child hostages and the bodies of three others who the militants said were killed during Israel's bombardment of the enclave in exchange for a temporary truce extension today.
"This is despite confirming through mediators that this group is all the (Hamas) movement has in terms of detainees in the agreed-upon category," Hamas said in a statement.
There was no immediate comment from Israel. A truce between Israel and Hamas was due to expire at 7 am (0500 GMT or 10.30 am IST). (Reuters)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Gaza Strip was in the midst of an "epic humanitarian catastrophe", urging the world not to look away.
"Intense negotiations are taking place to prolong the truce – which we strongly welcome - but we believe we need a true humanitarian ceasefire," he told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, chaired by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi because China is president of the 15-member council for November.
The United Nations has scaled up the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza - a coastal enclave of 2.3 million people - during the truce, but Guterres said the level of aid "remains completely inadequate to meet the huge needs."
Israel believes Hamas has enough women and children hostages to allow the current pause in fighting in Gaza to be extended by another two to three days, an official involved in the negotiating process said. "We know for a fact that there are additional hostages in the hands of Hamas for at least two more days, potentially three days from the list of women and children," said the official, who spoke on condition that he not be named. (Reuters)
The Israeli military said it was verifying reports that 10-month-old Kfir Bibas, his 4-year-old brother Ariel Bibas, and their mother Shiri Bibas, held as hostages by Hamas, had been killed in a previous airstrike in Gaza. "Hamas is wholly responsible for the security of all hostages in the Gaza Strip," it said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
Two Palestinian children were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian health ministry said. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Biden administration would like to see a new extension of the cease-fire agreement in Israel's war with Hamas after the current one expires to secure the release of additional hostages held by the militant group and to ramp up humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
As he prepared to make his third visit to the Middle East since the war began, Blinken said that in addition to discussing short-term logistical and operational planning, the Biden administration believes it is imperative to discuss ideas about the future governance of Gaza if Israel achieves its stated goal of eradicating Hamas.
"Looking at the next couple of days, we'll be focused on doing what we can to extend the pause so we can continue to get more hostages out and more humanitarian assistance in,” Blinken told reporters in Brussels, where he was attending a NATO foreign ministers meeting.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he welcomed a pause in the war in Gaza and the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas as a temporary "stop of bloodshed" in the enclave.
Speaking to lawmakers in parliament, Erdogan said statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government were "lessening" Ankara's hopes that the pause could turn into a full ceasefire, but added Turkey would ramp up diplomatic efforts for a lasting ceasefire and the exchange of hostages in coming days.
Erdogan also said Turkey had "largely completed" evacuating its citizens from Gaza, where he repeated a genocide was taking place. He added that he would discuss the war in Gaza during a trip to Dubai later this week.
It has been slammed as a PR stunt to distract from recent allegations of antisemitism against billionaire businessman Elon Musk and his platform X — formerly known as Twitter. On Monday during a visit to Israel, the world's richest man toured one of the sites devastated by the Hamas terrorist attack.
Musk visited a kibbutz with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and discussed antisemitic content on his social media platform X. Musk also held talks on the potential use of his Starlink satellite technology for communications access in Gaza.
Four-year-old Abigail Edan was discharged from the hospital late last night, following her release after more than 50 days as a hostage in Gaza, a spokesperson for Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikvah said. The Israeli-American dual citizen was the first US hostage to be released under the cease-fire.
Abigail marked her fourth birthday in captivity. Both of her parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war on Oct. 7. During the rampage, she ran to a neighbour’s home for shelter, and the Brodutch family took her in before militants took the family to Gaza.
Hagar Brodutch and her three children were also released on Sunday. President Joe Biden celebrated her release, telling reporters, “I wish I were there to hold her.” (AP)
International mediators worked today to extend the truce in Gaza, hoping the territory's Hamas rulers will keep freeing hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners and further respite from Israel's air and ground offensive. It will otherwise expire within a day.
Israel has welcomed the release of dozens of hostages in recent days and says it will maintain the truce if Hamas keeps freeing captives. But its other major goal — the annihilation of the armed group that has ruled Gaza for 16 years — could be slipping out of reach. (AP)
Hamas and Israel were expected to release more hostages and prisoners today, the last day of a prolonged six-day truce in the Gaza Strip conflict, as attention focused on whether mediator Qatar could negotiate another extension.
India has voted in favour of a draft resolution in the UN General Assembly that expressed deep concern over Israel not withdrawing from the Syrian Golan. The Syrian Golan is a region in southwest Syria that was occupied by Israeli forces on June 5, 1967.
The 193-member UN General Assembly voted on the draft resolution ‘The Syrian Golan' under agenda item ‘The situation in the Middle East' on Tuesday. The resolution, introduced by Egypt, was adopted by a recorded vote with 91 in favour, eight against and 62 abstentions.
Apart from India, those voting in favour of the resolution included Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. Australia, Canada, Israel, the UK and the US voted against it. (PTI)
The United States supports further extension in the operational pause between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of all the hostages in captivity, the White House said on Tuesday.
"We want to see all the hostages released. And so, if there can be extended pauses beyond these two-day extensions...we're in favour of that. And we're going to keep working on this, as I said, hour by hour with all our partners in the region," White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said.
On being asked about the upcoming visit of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the Middle East, Kirby said that his fourth visit will primarily focus on reaffirming US support to Israel and facilitating humanitarian assistance into Gaza. He further added that Blinken will meet with his Israeli counterparts and other counterparts in the region. (ANI)
Turkey’s health minister said that his country hopes to soon set up field hospitals and start providing health services in Gaza.
Fahrettin Koca made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, hours after a Turkish delegation crossed into Gaza from Egypt to inspect possible sites for field hospitals. He did not provide additional information.
Turkey dispatched a ship carrying medical equipment and supplies, including ambulances and eight field hospitals, to Egypt earlier this month. (AP)
The latest swap of Hamas militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel took place Tuesday evening as part of a cease-fire agreement between the warring sides.
Ten Israeli hostages — nine women and a 17-year-old girl — and two Thais were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza and were back in Israeli territory, the military said. About an hour later, Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their cease-fire until Wednesday, raising the prospect of further exchanges. Since Friday, Hamas has released 81 hostages, mostly Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 180 Palestinian prisoners. (AP)
A deal to extend the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas by two days has been agreed.
The truce has brought Gaza its first respite after seven weeks of fighting and bombardment that has reduced much of the seaside enclave to rubble. It had been due to expire overnight into Tuesday, but both sides agreed to extend the pause to allow for the release of more people.
Israel's siege has led to the collapse of Gaza's health care system, especially in the north where no hospitals remain functioning. The World Health Organization said more Gazans could soon be dying of disease than from bombing and many had no access to medicines, vaccines, safe water and hygiene and no food.
More than two-thirds of Gaza's 2.3 million people have lost their homes to Israeli bombardments, with thousands of families sleeping rough in makeshift shelters with only the belongings they could carry. They are desperately short of food, fuel and clean water. (Reuters)
Qatar, which mediated indirect talks between Hamas and Israel that resulted in the ceasefire, yesterday hosted the spy chiefs from Israel's Mossad and the United States' CIA.
The officials discussed possible parameters of a new phase of the truce deal including Hamas releasing hostages who are men or military personnel, not just women and children, a source briefed on the matter said. They also considered what might be needed to reach a ceasefire lasting more than a handful of days.
Qatar spoke to Hamas before the meeting to get a sense of what the group might agree to. The Israelis and Hamas are now internally discussing the ideas explored at the meeting, the source added. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is committed to ensuring the return of all hostages, the elimination of Hamas and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israeli citizens.
"We are committed to continuing our mission: the return of all our abductees, the elimination of Hamas above and below ground, and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to the citizens of Israel," the Israeli PM posted on his official 'X' handle.
CIA Director William Burns is in Doha, Qatar, for talks on the Israel-Hamas conflict, including discussions on hostages seized by the Palestinian militant group on October 7, a US official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
There is a risk that more people could die from diseases than from bombings in Gaza if the enclave's health system is not put back on its feet quickly, a World Health Organization spokesperson said. "Eventually we will see more people dying from disease than from bombardment if we are not able to put back together this health system," said the WHO's Margaret Harris.
She described the collapse of Al Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza as a "tragedy" and voiced concern about the detention of some of its medical staff by Israeli forces.
As Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the truce for another two days, one Palestinian family celebrated the return of their 17-year-old son.
After seven weeks of struggling with a crisis that defies easy solutions, President Joe Biden could take solace in saving a single 4-year-old girl whose parents were killed in the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.
But gratifying as it was to secure the release of Avigail Idan from her Hamas captors over the weekend, the challenge for Biden going forward is not only to free the rest of the Americans being held hostage but to use the success of recent days to alter the trajectory of the war consuming the Gaza Strip.
At the president’s urging, the two sides agreed Monday to extend the temporary pause in the war between Israel and Hamas two more days to allow the release of an additional 20 hostages, according to Qatar, the Persian Gulf emirate that has been serving as intermediary. That gives all sides more breathing space but only postpones the most critical question by another 48 hours — namely what happens whenever the negotiated pause eventually expires. (Read more)
Drone footage shows Gaza before and after Oct. 7. What was once a bustling urban area with children playing and people going about day-to-day life is now an eerie moonscape of smoking craters and flattened buildings.
Hamas said it had sought to revise terms under which it would free hostages beyond the women and children it has already released.
"We hope the Occupation (Israel) abides (by the agreement) in the next two days because we are seeking a new agreement, besides women and children, whereby other categories that we have that we can swap," Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya told Al Jazeera late on Monday.
That, he said, would entail "going towards an additional time period to continue swapping people at this stage". Among hostages Hamas still holds are fathers and husbands of those it has freed in recent days. (Reuters)
A brief respite in the 48-day conflict between Israeli and Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip has allowed for the initiation of a temporary ceasefire. This crucial pause has facilitated the delivery of desperately-needed aid to Gaza, including food, water, shelter supplies, and medical provisions.
A multi-nation financial task force is working to crack down on funding for Hamas and other militant groups, US officials said. Financial Intelligence Units in 13 western nations are looking to more effectively coordinate on financial intelligence and information sharing, and created the task force shortly after Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion into Israel, according to a US Treasury statement.
The task force members emphasised “the importance of the private sector in achieving these goals, particularly in identifying and mitigating terrorists’ use of the global financial system,” the Treasury statement said.
The US State Department designated Hamas a terrorist group in 1997. The European Union and other Western countries also consider it a terrorist organisation. Co-chaired by Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, and the US, the task force includes Australia, Canada, Estonia, France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Switzerland and the UK. (AP)
Around 200 container trucks brought humanitarian aid into Gaza yesterday after being inspected by Israel, including a small amount of fuel, according to the Israeli military body that handles civilian affairs.
“Four containers carrying diesel fuel and four containers carrying cooking gas were transferred from Egypt to UN humanitarian aid organizations in the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing,” COGAT said in a statement. The aid trucks brought “food, water, shelter equipment, and medical supplies,” the statement said. (AP)
The Israel Prison Service said 33 Palestinian prisoners were released yesterday from Israel's Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank and from a detention centre in Jerusalem, bringing the total number of Palestinians it has freed since Friday to 150.
Israeli forces clashed with some of the dozens of Palestinians who gathered outside Ofer prison to await the prisoner release, the Palestinian health ministry said.
Some of the protesters waved the flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militant group.
The ministry said a Palestinian was killed in the area, and that it was unclear if he had participated in the clashes. Palestinian media reported he was shot dead. Israel had no immediate comment on the incident. (Reuters)
The Israeli government has approved the inclusion of 50 women prisoners in the list of prisoners eligible for release as part of an agreement to extend a temporary truce with Hamas in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return this week to the Middle East as the US hopes to find a way to extend a ceasefire in Gaza and get more hostages released, the State Department said. It will be his third trip to the region since Israel's war with Hamas began last month.
Blinken will travel to Israel and the West Bank after attending Ukraine-focused meetings today and tomorrow in Brussels and Skopje, North Macedonia, where foreign ministers from NATO and the Organisation for Peace and Security in Europe are gathering. (AP)
An Israel-Hamas truce in the Gaza Strip stretched into a fifth day today as the two sides completed the release of Israeli hostages and detained Palestinians under their original ceasefire deal and appeared poised to free more.
Israel on Monday said 11 Israelis had returned to the country from the Gaza Strip, bringing to 69 the total of Israeli and foreign hostages the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas has freed since Friday under the four-day truce.
The Israel Prison Service said 33 Palestinian prisoners were released on Monday from Israel's Ofer prison in the West Bank and from a detention centre in Jerusalem, bringing the total number of Palestinians it has freed since Friday to 150. (AP)