“I don’t want to get into secure information but my expectation is sooner than later,” Biden told reporters when asked how imminent an Iranian attack on Israel would be
As has been reported globally, Tehran vowed revenge after Israel launched airstrikes on the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, taking out three top military generals
On his message to Iran at this time, the US President said, “Don’t”
In response to more shouted questions from reporters in the White House, asking if American troops were at risk, Biden returned to the podium saying that the United States was ‘devoted’ to the defence of Israel, CNN reported
“We are devoted to the defence of Israel. We will support Israel we will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” Biden said
The US has been on high alert for a significant Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel in recent days, as fears grow of a wider regional war
There remains a “real, credible and viable” threat of Iran launching strikes, the White House said on Friday, following Israel’s attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria last week, killing three Iranian generals
Biden, who warned this week that Iran was threatening a ‘significant attack’ on Israel, has been receiving constant updates on the situation from his national security team
The US and several other countries, including India, Britain and France, issued new travel guidelines for government employees in Israel as the Iranian threat loomed
Hamas delegation to visit Cairo today for Gaza ceasefire talks – Hindustan Times
Reuters |
Apr 29, 2024 07:23 AM IST
The delegation would discuss a ceasefire proposal handed by Hamas to mediators from Qatar and Egypt, as well as Israel’s response.
A Hamas delegation will visit Cairo on Monday for talks aimed at securing a ceasefire, a Hamas official told Reuters on Sunday, as mediators stepped up efforts to reach a deal ahead of an expected Israeli assault on the southern city of Rafah.
The official, who asked not to be named, said the delegation would discuss a ceasefire proposal handed by Hamas to mediators from Qatar and Egypt, as well as Israel’s response.
HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere. Explore now!
He did not disclose details of the latest proposals, but a source briefed on the talks told Reuters Hamas is expected to respond to Israel’s latest Gaza phased truce proposal delivered on Saturday.
The source said this included an agreement to accept the release of fewer than 40 hostages in exchange for releasing Palestinians held in Israeli jails and to a second phase of a truce that includes a “period of sustained calm” – Israel’s compromise response to a Hamas demand for permanent ceasefire.
After the first phase, Israel would allow free movement between south and north Gaza and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the source said.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the White House said they reviewed talks designed to secure the release of hostages held since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel coupled with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
They also discussed an increased pace of aid deliveries, including preparations to open new crossings into Gaza, it said.
“The President stressed the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in full coordination with humanitarian organizations,” the statement said.
Biden also “reiterated his clear position” on a possible invasion of the Gaza border city of Rafah, the White House said.
Washington has said that it could not support a Rafah operation without an appropriate and credible humanitarian plan.
Shortly after the Biden-Netanyahu call, the U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would expand a trip to the Middle East to discuss efforts towards a ceasefire and the freeing of hostages by continuing onto Jordan and Israel after visiting Saudi Arabia.
Another senior Hamas official told Reuters the delegation would fly to Cairo from Qatari capital Doha, adding it will be led by Khalil Al-Hayya, deputy to Hamas’ Gaza chief.
The talks will take place between the Hamas delegation and the Qatari and the Egyptian mediators to discuss remarks the group has made over the Israeli response to its recent proposal.
“Hamas has some questions and inquires over the Israeli response to its proposal, which the movement received from mediators on Friday,” the official told Reuters.
Those comments suggested Hamas may not hand an instant response to mediators over Israel’s latest proposal.
The war, now in its seventh month, was triggered by an attack by Hamas militants on Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 and taking 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies.
Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas, which controls Gaza, in a military operation that has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, 66 of them in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The war has displaced most of the 2.3 million population and laid much of the enclave to waste.
On Friday, Khalil Al-Hayya said the group had received Israel’s response to its ceasefire proposal and was studying it before handing its response to Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
Prior rounds of talks have failed to bridge gaps in the two sides’ positions.
Israel has only offered a temporary ceasefire to free around 130 hostages remaining in captivity and to allow the delivery of more humanitarian aid. It has said it won’t end its operations until it has achieved its aim of destroying Hamas.
PLANNED INCURSION
Israel’s foreign minister said on Saturday a planned incursion into Rafah, where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering, could be put off should a deal emerge to release the Israeli hostages.
The issue has created cracks in Netanyahu’s coalition. Hawkish ministers insist on the Rafah incursion while centrist partners have said a hostage deal is the top priority.
Hardline nationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday urged Netanyahu not to back down from an assault on Rafah and said that agreeing to the ceasefire proposal would constitute a humiliating defeat.
Without eradicating Hamas, “a government headed by you will have no right to exist,” Smotrich, who is not a member of the war cabinet, said in a video statement addressed to Netanyahu.
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said in a post on X: “Entering Rafah is important in the long struggle against Hamas. The return of our abductees … is urgent and of far greater importance.”
Western countries, including the United States, Israel’s closest ally, have urged Israel to refrain from attacking the border city on concern over potential civilian casualties.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday Israel had agreed to listen to U.S. concerns before it launches an invasion of Rafah.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said only the United States could stop Israel from attacking Rafah.
He said he expected an attack on Rafah in coming days and that even a “small strike” would force the Palestinian population to flee the Gaza Strip.
“The biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people’s history would then happen.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said it was in “everybody’s interest in the region, our interest, the interest of the Palestinians, the interest of the Israelis, in the interest of the global community of nations, that we find a pathway to resolve this issue once and for all.”
Discover the pivotal moments that shaped India’s electoral journey on the Eras section of our exclusive Elections product. Access all content absolutely free on the HT App. Download now! Get Latest World News, along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
Hamas delegation to visit Cairo today for Gaza ceasefire talks – Hindustan Times
Reuters |
Apr 29, 2024 07:23 AM IST
The delegation would discuss a ceasefire proposal handed by Hamas to mediators from Qatar and Egypt, as well as Israel’s response.
A Hamas delegation will visit Cairo on Monday for talks aimed at securing a ceasefire, a Hamas official told Reuters on Sunday, as mediators stepped up efforts to reach a deal ahead of an expected Israeli assault on the southern city of Rafah.
The official, who asked not to be named, said the delegation would discuss a ceasefire proposal handed by Hamas to mediators from Qatar and Egypt, as well as Israel’s response.
HT launches Crick-it, a one stop destination to catch Cricket, anytime, anywhere. Explore now!
He did not disclose details of the latest proposals, but a source briefed on the talks told Reuters Hamas is expected to respond to Israel’s latest Gaza phased truce proposal delivered on Saturday.
The source said this included an agreement to accept the release of fewer than 40 hostages in exchange for releasing Palestinians held in Israeli jails and to a second phase of a truce that includes a “period of sustained calm” – Israel’s compromise response to a Hamas demand for permanent ceasefire.
After the first phase, Israel would allow free movement between south and north Gaza and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the source said.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the White House said they reviewed talks designed to secure the release of hostages held since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel coupled with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
They also discussed an increased pace of aid deliveries, including preparations to open new crossings into Gaza, it said.
“The President stressed the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in full coordination with humanitarian organizations,” the statement said.
Biden also “reiterated his clear position” on a possible invasion of the Gaza border city of Rafah, the White House said.
Washington has said that it could not support a Rafah operation without an appropriate and credible humanitarian plan.
Shortly after the Biden-Netanyahu call, the U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would expand a trip to the Middle East to discuss efforts towards a ceasefire and the freeing of hostages by continuing onto Jordan and Israel after visiting Saudi Arabia.
Another senior Hamas official told Reuters the delegation would fly to Cairo from Qatari capital Doha, adding it will be led by Khalil Al-Hayya, deputy to Hamas’ Gaza chief.
The talks will take place between the Hamas delegation and the Qatari and the Egyptian mediators to discuss remarks the group has made over the Israeli response to its recent proposal.
“Hamas has some questions and inquires over the Israeli response to its proposal, which the movement received from mediators on Friday,” the official told Reuters.
Those comments suggested Hamas may not hand an instant response to mediators over Israel’s latest proposal.
The war, now in its seventh month, was triggered by an attack by Hamas militants on Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 and taking 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies.
Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas, which controls Gaza, in a military operation that has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, 66 of them in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The war has displaced most of the 2.3 million population and laid much of the enclave to waste.
On Friday, Khalil Al-Hayya said the group had received Israel’s response to its ceasefire proposal and was studying it before handing its response to Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
Prior rounds of talks have failed to bridge gaps in the two sides’ positions.
Israel has only offered a temporary ceasefire to free around 130 hostages remaining in captivity and to allow the delivery of more humanitarian aid. It has said it won’t end its operations until it has achieved its aim of destroying Hamas.
PLANNED INCURSION
Israel’s foreign minister said on Saturday a planned incursion into Rafah, where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering, could be put off should a deal emerge to release the Israeli hostages.
The issue has created cracks in Netanyahu’s coalition. Hawkish ministers insist on the Rafah incursion while centrist partners have said a hostage deal is the top priority.
Hardline nationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday urged Netanyahu not to back down from an assault on Rafah and said that agreeing to the ceasefire proposal would constitute a humiliating defeat.
Without eradicating Hamas, “a government headed by you will have no right to exist,” Smotrich, who is not a member of the war cabinet, said in a video statement addressed to Netanyahu.
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said in a post on X: “Entering Rafah is important in the long struggle against Hamas. The return of our abductees … is urgent and of far greater importance.”
Western countries, including the United States, Israel’s closest ally, have urged Israel to refrain from attacking the border city on concern over potential civilian casualties.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday Israel had agreed to listen to U.S. concerns before it launches an invasion of Rafah.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh on Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said only the United States could stop Israel from attacking Rafah.
He said he expected an attack on Rafah in coming days and that even a “small strike” would force the Palestinian population to flee the Gaza Strip.
“The biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people’s history would then happen.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said it was in “everybody’s interest in the region, our interest, the interest of the Palestinians, the interest of the Israelis, in the interest of the global community of nations, that we find a pathway to resolve this issue once and for all.”
Discover the pivotal moments that shaped India’s electoral journey on the Eras section of our exclusive Elections product. Access all content absolutely free on the HT App. Download now! Get Latest World News, along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
Latest News, Live Updates Today April 28, 2024: TISS alumni condemn suspension of Dalit PhD scholar – Hindustan Times
Live
Apr 28, 2024 8:01 PM IST
Welcome to the live updates platform for Hindustan Times. Follow all the major news updates, headlines and breaking news stories from India and around the world right here. Track the real-time developments of major events for April 28, 2024.
Latest news on April 28, 2024: Prajwal Revanna is at the centre of a major sexual harassment scandal in Karnataka.
Get the latest news updates and breaking news stories from India and around the world right here. Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated live blog and has not been edited by Hindustan Times staff.…Read More
Follow all the updates here:
Apr 28, 2024 8:01 PM IST
India News Live Updates: Prajwal Revanna booked in sexual harassment case amid video row; cook names MP’s father too
Amid row over obscene videos, a sexual harassment case has been filed against Prajwal Revanna and his father – by their cook.
India News Live Updates: ‘What was Neha’s fault?’: Narendra Modi claims Congress ‘kneeled before appeasement’
Apr 28, 2024 7:45 PM IST
World News Live Updates: Barron Trump’s supposed girlfriend opens up about his ‘lil shy boy’ personality, reveals why their romance ended
TikToker named Maddie, aka @maddatitude, who claims to have been Barron’s girlfriend, has heaped praises on him, declaring him “the best” and “the nicest.”
World News Live Updates: Dubai begins work on ‘world’s largest’ airport terminal | Details
Once “the world’s largest” terminal at Dubai’s at Al Maktoum International Airport is fully operational, it will handle up to 260 million passengers each year.
India News Live Updates: Congress on Narendra Modi’s ‘Aurangzeb’ jab at Rahul Gandhi: ‘Mischievously twists every…’
In a strongly worded remark, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to inflame communal passions in India.
Cities Live Updates: Uttarakhand forest fires: NDRF rushed to Nainital; officials’ leaves cancelled
A team of 41 National Disaster Response Force personnel was rushed to Nainital on Sunday to assist the forest officials in checking the forest fires in the area
World News Live Updates: Princess Lilibet axed from Meghan Markle’s diamond eternity ring ‘gifted’ by Prince Harry?
Princess Lilibet of Sussex, who was born 4 June 2021, was not featured in Meghan’s “trilogy jewel” in her demonstration of her “connection” to Harry and Archie.
Cities Live Updates: Mamata govt believes in appeasement, patronising terrorists: JP Nadda in Bengal
BJP president J P Nadda alleged that chief minister Mamata Banerjee never seemed to be bothered about Sandeshkhali and said that women are not safe in Bengal
India News Live Updates: Lok Sabha polls: Women voters outnumber men in 61 Rajasthan assembly constituencies
In eight Lok Sabha constituencies, including Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Pali, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, and Rajsamand, women surpassed men in voter participation
Cities Live Updates: 2 tourists washed away in Ganga in Rishikesh, SDRF launches search
Police said a group of eight youths had arrived at Mast Ram Baba Ganga ghat in Lakshman Jhula to spend their weekend but two of them were washed away in the flow of the Ganga
World News Live Updates: White House correspondents’ dinner shadowed by Israel-Hamas war as protestors chant ‘shame on you’
To get inside WH correspondents’ dinner, some guests had to hurry through hundreds of protesters outraged over killing of Palestinians amid Israel-Hamas war.
India News Live Updates: ‘Don’t you find other Yadavs?’: Amit Shah to Akhilesh over Lok Sabha election tickets to family members
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Union home minister Amit Shah hit out at the previous Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh over law and order situation
You must be logged in to post a comment Login