logo
Israel intensifies Gaza offensive as ceasefire talks resume in Doha

Israel intensifies Gaza offensive as ceasefire talks resume in Doha

Yahoo18-05-2025
Israel began an 'extensive' new ground offensive in Gaza, even as teams from Tel Aviv and Hamas held indirect ceasefire talks in Doha.
Negotiations between Hamas and Israel have languished since a temporary truce ended in March; one hold-up, according to Israeli media, is Hamas' demand for an international guarantee, particularly from Washington, that Israel will not restart the war at a later date.
Most Israelis do not support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy for Gaza, Haaretz's Anshel Pfeffer argued, prioritizing the return of hostages instead of Netanyahu's stated aim of 'total victory over Hamas.'
But unless Israelis 'insist on their own version of victory,' Pfeffer wrote, it seems likely that 'international pressure will force Israel to end the war … through sanctions and international isolation.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iran's Top General Issues Threat
Iran's Top General Issues Threat

Newsweek

timean hour ago

  • Newsweek

Iran's Top General Issues Threat

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran's top military commander has issued a threat to Israel, warning that if conflict reignites, Tehran is prepared to launch a "crippling" assault so overwhelming that "even the United States may not be able to save [Prime Minister] Netanyahu." According to state media, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi vowed that a meticulously prepared plan of retaliation would be activated if what he called "another mistake" is made by the Israeli government. The threat follows a 12-day war that left nearly 1,000 Iranians and dozens of Israelis dead, and comes amid a tense ceasefire negotiated after both U.S. military and Israeli strikes against Iran's nuclear program. Newsweek has reached out the State Department as well as The foreign ministries of Iran and Israel. Why It Matters The remarks from Iran's Armed Forces Chief signal that the region remains on a knife's edge. The latest confrontation between Iran and Israel, which drew the U.S. into direct combat, has unsettled international markets, spurred diplomatic urgency, and drawn warnings from global powers fearing a broader war. Iran's open threat of a "crippling" military campaign heightens concerns that the fragile ceasefire may be only a pause in a larger, unresolved conflict. Commander of the Iranian army Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi speaks during an anti-U.S. annual rally in front of the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. The rally revived the decades-old cries of... Commander of the Iranian army Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi speaks during an anti-U.S. annual rally in front of the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019. The rally revived the decades-old cries of "Death to America," Iran on Monday marked the 40th anniversary of the 1979 student takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. More Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What to Know "They thought they could destroy our system in 48 hours and tear Iran apart," Mousavi said at a memorial for a Revolutionary Guard commander killed in Israeli strikes. "But the Iranian nation overcame them." Mousavi described the fighting as part of a 15-year campaign by Israel and the U.S. aimed at destabilizing and dividing Iran. However, he said that Iran's leadership, armed forces, and united people successfully derailed that plan. He added that Iran was prepared to unleash a devastating final assault on Israel but held back due to the ceasefire. 12 Day War The conflict began when Israel launched its strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites on June 13. The United States joined Israel's military campaign on June 22, striking nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. President Donald Trump dubbed the campaign "Operation Midnight Hammer" and claimed it had dismantled Iran's nuclear program. Trump, Netanyahu Meeting Meanwhile, Trump said his upcoming White House meeting with Netanyahu would cover several issues, including what he described as "probably a permanent deal with Iran." He added, "We're working on a lot of things with Israel." Before departing for Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu praised the cooperation with the United States for bringing a "huge victory over our shared enemy." President Donald Trump, left, speaks with reporters as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens after arriving on Marine One, in background, and before boarding Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Sunday, July... President Donald Trump, left, speaks with reporters as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens after arriving on Marine One, in background, and before boarding Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Sunday, July 6, 2025, en route to Washington. More Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo What People Are Saying Iran's Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi: "We had prepared the crippling plan, but due to the ceasefire, it did not get the opportunity to be implemented. However, if another mistake is made, this plan will be executed. Even the United States may not be able to save Netanyahu." President Donald Trump: "We're working on a lot of things with Israel, and one of the things is probably a permanent deal with Iran." What Happens Next Though a ceasefire with Israel is in place, Iran has emphasized it will respond forcefully if provoked again, warning that its final phase of retaliation remains on standby. As regional actors watch for the next move, Trump is set to meet Netanyahu at the White House. The high-stakes meeting comes at a critical moment, with both sides weighing their next steps in a conflict that could quickly reignite.

Trump admin live updates: Trump and Netanyahu to discuss Hamas, Iran during White House visit

timean hour ago

Trump admin live updates: Trump and Netanyahu to discuss Hamas, Iran during White House visit

The visit will mark the foreign leader's third White House trip since January. 1:14 President Donald Trump is scheduled on Monday to welcome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to the White House for a state dinner. The administration is also this week expected to continue tariff negotiations with international trading partners, some of which are scheduled on Monday to receive letters from the administration detailing potential terms, according to Trump. Trump to host Netanyahu for Monday state dinner Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel took off late on Sunday for Washington, where President Donald Trump is scheduled to host him Monday for a state dinner. The pair are expected to discuss the Israel-Iran conflict, including the future of Tehran's nuclear program, along with the potential for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, according to Netanyahu's office. Netanyahu in a statement said he would also thank Trump for Washington's "very powerful" involvement with Israel, including Trump's decision to join in strikes on Iran last month. "We have never had such a friend in the White House," Netanyahu said. "Our joint involvement brought a great victory over our mutual enemy -- Iran." Netanyahu will also use the visit, which will be his third since Trump took office in January, to meet with members of Congress and administration officials, according to his office.

Trump threatened additional tariffs for countries aligning with 'anti-American' BRICS policies
Trump threatened additional tariffs for countries aligning with 'anti-American' BRICS policies

Business Insider

time2 hours ago

  • Business Insider

Trump threatened additional tariffs for countries aligning with 'anti-American' BRICS policies

President Donald Trump has issued a new tariff threat. "Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Sunday night. "There will be no exceptions to this policy," he added. Trump's comments come amid a two-day BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro. The group of emerging nations includes key members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. On Sunday, the BRICS group issued a statement expressing "serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules." The group also condemned US and Israeli military strikes on Iran, a BRICS member. It called for negotiations to achieve a ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. "We reiterate our grave concern about the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with the resumption of continuous Israeli attacks against Gaza and obstruction of the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory," the statement said. It's not the first time Trump has taken aim at BRICS. In December, he threatened a 100% tariff on countries pursuing alternatives to the US dollar. Economists said at the time that the move could backfire. Even so, BRICS nations have been exploring alternatives to the US dollar. De-dollarization discussions accelerated after sweeping sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. On Sunday, the BRICS group said it would continue discussing a cross-border payments system among member states. Trump's threats of even more tariffs on countries aligning with BRICS come ahead of his administration's plans to send letters to trading partners informing them of new tariff rates on their imports to the US. Trump said in a separate post that the letters would be delivered starting at noon ET on Monday.

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