Hamas welcomes 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal with 'positive spirit'
US President Donald Trump, who announced the proposal earlier this week, said he expects replies shortly and plans to urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take swift action. The Israeli PM is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday.Despite Trump's assurance that Israel had accepted the proposal's conditions, Netanyahu has yet to publicly endorse the plan. He has consistently insisted that any deal must result in Hamas being disarmed—something the group has so far rejected. Trump emphasised he would be 'very firm' with Netanyahu, while remaining optimistic a deal could be reached next week.Meanwhile, Israeli military operations have continued. Health officials in Gaza said at least 138 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, including 15 people in a strike on a displacement camp in Khan Younis. The Israeli army reported it had struck 100 targets and neutralized militants in the area.Funerals were held Friday for those killed overnight. 'There should have been a ceasefire before I lost my brother,' said 13-year-old Mayar Al Farr, mourning her sibling who was shot while seeking humanitarian aid.FAMILIES DEMAND ACTION ON HOSTAGESHostage families in Tel Aviv marked US Independence Day by demonstrating outside the American embassy, urging President Trump to push for a breakthrough. Protesters set up a symbolic dinner table with 50 empty chairs representing those still held in Gaza."Only you can make the deal," said Gideon Rosenberg, whose employee Avinatan Or was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. Around 20 hostages are believed to be alive after more than 600 days in captivity.The proposed deal reportedly includes the return of 10 hostages and the bodies of 18 others. Ruby Chen, whose son, Itay—a 19-year-old American-Israeli soldier, was killed after being taken hostage, urged Netanyahu to come back from Washington with a deal that brings all captives home.The war began when Hamas launched a surprise assault on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251. Israel's response has devastated Gaza, killing over 57,000 people, mostly civilians, according to local health authorities, and displacing millions.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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- First Post
Trump backs Patriot missiles for Ukraine after 'disappointing' call with Putin
Ukraine has been asking Washington to sell it more Patriot missiles and systems that it sees as key to defending its cities from intensifying Russian air strikes read more An explosion of a drone lights up the sky over the city during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Reuters After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, US President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine will require Patriot missiles for defence, and he expressed anger with Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to stop the conflict. Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he had an excellent chat with Zelenskyy, emphasising that he was 'very unhappy' with his talk with Putin the day before, citing the Russian leader's inability to cooperate on a ceasefire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked if the US would agree to sell additional Patriot missiles to Ukraine, as requested by Zelenskyy, Trump replied, 'They're going to need them for defense… They're going to need something because they're being hit pretty hard.' Trump touted the efficacy of the Patriot missiles, calling the weapon 'pretty amazing.' Asked about the prospects for a ceasefire, Trump said, 'It's a very tough situation… I was very unhappy with my call with President Putin. He wants to go all the way, just keep killing people - it's no good.' Zelenskyy said he had agreed to work on increasing Kyiv's capability to 'defend the sky' as Russian attacks escalate, adding in a message on Telegram that he discussed joint defense production, as well as joint purchases and investments with the US leader. Ukraine has been asking Washington to sell it more Patriot missiles and systems that it sees as key to defending its cities from intensifying Russian air strikes. A decision by Washington to halt some shipments of weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia's airstrikes and battlefield advances. Germany said it is in talks on buying Patriot air defense systems to bridge the gap. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A source briefed on the Trump-Zelenskyy call told Reuters they were optimistic that supplies of Patriot missiles could resume after what they called a 'very good' conversation between the presidents. Russia pummels Kyiv Trump said he also spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Ukraine's request for Patriot missiles but that no decision had been made to supply the advanced missiles. US news outlet Axios reported, citing unnamed sources, that the call lasted around 40 minutes and that Trump told Zelenskyy he would check what US weapons due to be sent to Ukraine, if any, had been put on hold. Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address, said he and Trump had agreed to 'arrange a meeting between our teams to strengthen air defenses. 'We had a very detailed discussion on joint production. We need it, America needs it.' The conversation came a day after Trump said he had a disappointing call with Putin. Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war across the capital hours after Trump's conversation with Putin on Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zelenskyy called the attack 'deliberately massive and cynical.' Kyiv in the past received Patriot batteries and ammunition from the US in the form of aid under then-President Joe Biden. Trump criticized him for sending weapons to Ukraine without getting anything in return, and since taking office has overseen a dramatic shake-up of relations with Kyiv.
Mint
26 minutes ago
- Mint
Indias rights in WTO to retaliate on US auto tariffs wont affect trade deal talks: Official
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
‘We care about family': Starmer says personal bond with Trump helped secure UK trade deal
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his personal connection with US President Donald Trump helped him secure a trade deal that removed British industries from some US tariffs. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking programme on the first anniversary of the Labour government, Starmer said that although he and Trump come from 'different political backgrounds,' they have found common ground. 'We are different people and we've got different political backgrounds and leanings, but we do have a good relationship and that comes from a number of places,' he said. Starmer said the connection is based in part on shared values. 'For both of us, we really care about family and there's a point of connection there,' he told BBC Radio. 'I think I do understand what anchors the president, what he really cares about.' He revealed that Trump had called to offer condolences after the death of Starmer's younger brother, Nick, on Boxing Day. The two had last spoken when Starmer phoned Trump following the assassination attempt during a campaign rally in July last year. 'That was a phone call really to ask him how it was, and in particular I wanted to know how it impacted on his family,' Starmer said. The prime minister said his personal relationship with Trump had helped him reach a deal that eased concerns in British industries. He described a visit to Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull before the agreement, saying he had seen 'anxiety writ large' on the faces of factory workers. After the deal, he said, 'the relief was palpable.' Starmer also spoke about discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, which he said helped lay the groundwork for a new agreement with the European Union. 'Over a glass of wine on the train to Kyiv, we talked about some of the key elements. That led to an agreement that will lower food prices in British supermarkets,' he said. 'Building those relationships with international leaders is hugely important,' he told BBC Radio, adding that such efforts are 'always in the national interest.' Asked about recent political challenges, including Labour's concessions to avoid a rebellion over disability benefit reforms, Starmer said he accepted responsibility. 'It's been a tough few days,' he said. 'But we'll come through this stronger.' Starmer is expected to meet Macron again next week during the French president's state visit to the UK. Tackling small boat crossings in the English Channel will be a key point of discussion, with government data showing nearly 20,000 arrivals in the first half of this year a 48 per cent rise compared to the same period last year.
