logo
Palestinians head to Cairo for talks

Palestinians head to Cairo for talks

Observer22-04-2025
GAZA: A Hamas delegation left for Cairo to discuss "new ideas" aimed at securing a Gaza ceasefire, an official from the group said, as Israeli air strikes killed 26 people across the territory on Tuesday. The renewed effort follows Hamas's rejection last week of Israel's latest proposal to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
Talks have so far failed to produce any breakthrough since Israel resumed its air and ground assault on Gaza from March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. "The delegation will meet with Egyptian officials to discuss new ideas aimed at reaching a ceasefire," the Hamas official said, adding the team included the group's chief negotiator Khalil al Hayya.
The discussions will come a day after newly appointed US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged Hamas to accept a deal that would secure the release of hostages in exchange for humanitarian aid entering Gaza. Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes killed at least 26 people across the territory on Tuesday. — AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thailand, Cambodia trade allegations of truce break
Thailand, Cambodia trade allegations of truce break

Observer

time10 hours ago

  • Observer

Thailand, Cambodia trade allegations of truce break

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged allegations on Wednesday of breaching a ceasefire deal which has largely halted the open combat that engulfed their frontier. The nations agreed a truce starting on Tuesday after five days of clashes that killed at least 43 on both sides, as a long-standing dispute over contested border temples boiled over into fighting on their 800-kilometre boundary. But Thailand's foreign ministry said its troops in Sisaket province 'came under attack by small arms fire and grenade assaults launched by Cambodian forces' in an offensive which continued until Wednesday morning. 'This represents a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement,' said a foreign ministry statement. Thai government spokesman Jirayu Huangsab also reported overnight clashes but said in a statement, 'the Thai side maintained control of the situation' and 'general conditions along the border are reported to be normal' from 8:00 am. On Wednesday, a Cambodian defence ministry official accused Thailand of breaching the ceasefire, intended to end fighting which has seen the two countries evacuate a total of more than 300,000 people from the border region. At a temple in Thailand's Surin city serving as a shelter and field kitchen 50 kilometres away from the frontier, volunteer Thanin Kittiworranun said evacuees remain in limbo. 'We don't believe Cambodia will hold the ceasefire,' the 65-year-old said. But a journalist on the Cambodian side who heard a steady drumbeat of artillery fire since fighting began last Thursday reported hearing no blasts between the start of the truce and Wednesday morning. And Beijing said deputy foreign minister Sun Weidong hosted a Shanghai meeting with Thai and Cambodian officials where both 'reaffirmed to China their commitment to abide by the ceasefire consensus'. The armistice got off to a shaky start in the early hours of Tuesday, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of continuing attacks in 'a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust' -- before peace generally prevailed. Meetings between rival commanders along the border — scheduled as part of the pact — went ahead, with Thailand's army saying de-escalation steps were agreed including 'a halt on troop reinforcements or movements that could lead to misunderstandings'. But later in the day, a foreign affairs spokeswoman for Bangkok's border crisis centre, Maratee Nalita Andamo, warned: 'In this moment, in the early days of the ceasefire, the situation is still fragile'. Jets, rockets and artillery have killed at least 15 Thai troops and 15 Thai civilians, while Cambodia has confirmed only eight civilian and five military deaths. — AFP

Prosecutors seek new warrant to question Yoon
Prosecutors seek new warrant to question Yoon

Observer

timea day ago

  • Observer

Prosecutors seek new warrant to question Yoon

SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors requested a fresh detention warrant on Wednesday to forcibly question former president Yoon Suk Yeol, after he refused to appear at his summons multiple times. Yoon plunged South Korea into a political crisis when he sought to subvert civilian rule on December 3, sending troops to parliament in a bid to prevent lawmakers voting down his declaration of martial law. Prosecutors investigating allegations parliamentary election tampering summoned Yoon for questioning — but he failed to appear, with his lawyers citing health issues. 'The special counsel office issued a second summons this morning for former president Yoon Suk Yeol to appear at 10 am, after he failed to show up the previous day,' prosecutor Oh Jeong-hee told reporters on Wednesday. 'However, he again did not appear and provided no explanation. As a result, the special counsel formally requested a detention warrant for Yoon this afternoon,' Oh added. Prosecutors are also investigating allegations that Jeon Seong-bae received a diamond necklace and a luxury designer handbag from a senior official of the Unification Church and passed them on to Kim. — AFP

UK rejects criticism over recognising Palestinian state
UK rejects criticism over recognising Palestinian state

Observer

timea day ago

  • Observer

UK rejects criticism over recognising Palestinian state

LONDON: Britain rejected Israeli criticism on Wednesday that it was rewarding Hamas by setting out plans to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took steps to improve the situation in Gaza and bring about peace. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's ultimatum, setting a September deadline, prompted an immediate rebuke from Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, who said it rewarded Hamas. Starmer's decision follows that of French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced last week that Paris would recognise Palestinian statehood in September, becoming the first major Western power to do so, because of the dire humanitarian conditions in the enclave. The most immediate impact of Britain recognising a Palestinian state may be an upgrading of diplomatic relations, according to one British government official. Britain now hosts a Palestinian mission in London which could be upgraded to an embassy, and Britain could eventually open an embassy in the West Bank, the official said. Starmer's move 'will isolate Israel more and more, but it won't change anything on the ground,' said Azriel Bermant, a senior researcher at the Institute of International Relations Prague. — Reuters

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store