Latest news with #AbuAoun
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Equipment for sale': Journalist's desperate plea as mass starvation hits Gaza
A LinkedIn post from Gaza-based photojournalist Mohammed Abu Aoun has cast a stark light on the deepening hunger crisis in the besieged enclave, as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas hit another impasse. Journalist Abu Aoun's viral post highlights how bad the food crisis in Gaza is. 'I am the photojournalist Mohammed Abu Aoun from Gaza. I want to offer my equipment and the press shield for sale so that I can buy food for me and my family,' Abu Aoun wrote in a widely shared post that has ignited global attention. The post reflects a growing desperation among Gaza's civilian population, many of whom are now facing the deadly consequences of prolonged food scarcity. The humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels. For months, Israel has tightly restricted aid and food deliveries into Gaza. Aid groups warn that the region is teetering on the edge of famine. Deaths from malnutrition have accelerated this month, with even humanitarian staff struggling to secure basic sustenance. At a charity kitchen in Gaza City on Friday, long lines of residents - many carrying empty pots - waited for watery lentil soup. 'We've been living three months without bread,' said Riham Dwas, a mother of five. 'We're relying on charity kitchens, surviving on a pot of lentils, and there are many times when we don't even have that.' She described taking her children to hospitals for IV saline drips when food runs out. A ceasefire in limbo The deepening hunger crisis comes as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that his government is considering 'alternative options' after both Israeli and US delegations left Doha, Qatar, where talks had been taking place. 'Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal,' Netanyahu said in a statement, adding that Israel and its US allies were exploring other ways to secure the release of hostages, defeat Hamas, and bring 'lasting peace.' The departure of the negotiating teams followed remarks by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who accused Hamas of showing a 'lack of desire' for a deal. Hamas officials, however, characterized the withdrawal as a pressure tactic. Bassem Naim, a Hamas representative, said talks were expected to resume next week and that recent discussions had resolved several major sticking points, including the delivery of humanitarian aid and the structure of a phased ceasefire. Mediators Egypt and Qatar confirmed that the pause in talks was temporary and emphasized that 'progress had been made.' The proposed deal reportedly includes a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in stages, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. It also calls for a significant increase in humanitarian aid and further talks on a permanent ceasefire. However, disagreements over the future governance of Gaza and the presence of Israeli forces have kept both sides locked in a stalemate. Civilians continue to suffer The pause in diplomacy has done little to slow the violence or alleviate civilian suffering. An Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City on Friday killed at least five people, including an 11-year-old boy. Grieving families carried the bodies of the dead through the streets. 'Stop the war!' cried Taraji Adwan, whose son and grandson were among the casualties. 'Our children are dying from starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, lack of food, strikes, and dying from fear and destruction. Enough, Hamas! Enough, Israel! Enough, world!' Palestinian children wait for a meal at a charity kitchen in the Mawasi area of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.(AFP) The Gaza Health Ministry said approximately 80 people had been killed since Thursday night, including nine who died while trying to retrieve aid. International outcry is mounting. French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France would formally recognize Palestine as a state, calling for an immediate halt to the conflict to 'save the civilian population.' Jordan has requested permission to carry out food and formula airdrops, a plan Israeli officials say is under coordination. Meanwhile, the number of daily cooked meals distributed by charity kitchens in Gaza has plunged from over a million in April to just 160,000, according to the United Nations.
Roya News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Hamas vows 'relentless, around-the-clock efforts' for ceasefire in Gaza
Dr. Kamal Abu Aoun, a member of Hamas's political bureau, affirmed that the movement's leadership continues its 'relentless and around-the-clock efforts with various parties' to reach a comprehensive agreement aimed at ending the aggression against Gaza. He emphasized Hamas's 'positive openness to initiatives and proposals that are put forward by mediators.' Highlighting the role of Palestinians in Gaza, Abu Aoun stated, 'Our people in Gaza played a pivotal role in thwarting Zionist attempts to impose a suspicious administration that does not represent their interests and values.' He warned that 'all of the occupation's security projects in Gaza are doomed to fail and will face revolutionary accountability.' Abu Aoun also addressed the broader regional implications, noting that 'Arab and Islamic countries are not immune from the dangers of the Zionist project,' and urged these nations to understand that 'the battle is not solely Palestine's, but concerns the national security and strategic interests of the entire nation.' He stressed that 'Palestine remains the first line of defense for these interests.' On the subject of normalization with 'Israel', the Hamas official was clear, 'Normalization with the occupation does not bring prosperity, but deepens dependency and entrenches dominance.' He added that 'any normalization path following this brutal war on Gaza is a betrayal of Jerusalem and a shirking of the historic responsibility towards the Palestinian cause.' Abu Aoun praised Turkey's role, saying, 'Turkey has been and remains a fundamental supporter of the Palestinian people, and plays an important role in backing the political stance of the resistance.' He expressed hope that 'the mediators' efforts will soon result in a ceasefire and the beginning of reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.'
Shafaq News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Hamas reviewing ceasefire proposals
Shafaq News – Gaza On Wednesday, Hamas said it is reviewing ceasefire proposals put forward by mediators, amid ongoing efforts to end the years-long conflict in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the movement clarified it is conducting national consultations and approaching the mediation efforts with 'high responsibility,' as mediators push to bridge remaining gaps and reach a framework agreement for formal negotiations. Hamas reiterated that its goal is to secure an agreement that ensures 'an end to the aggression, a full withdrawal, and urgent humanitarian relief for our people.' Meanwhile, Hamas Political Bureau member Kamal Abu Aoun warned that normalization with Israel 'does not bring prosperity, but deepens dependency and entrenches domination,' adding that pursuing normalization after what he described as a 'brutal war on Gaza ' would be 'a betrayal of Jerusalem and an abandonment of historical responsibility toward the Palestinian cause.' Abu Aoun also praised 'Turkiye's continued support for Palestinians,' describing Ankara as 'a key backer of our people and the political stance of the resistance.' Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced the extension of a final offer to Hamas for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, aimed at laying the groundwork to end the ongoing war. "This final proposal," Trump posted on Truth Social. "I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Hamas Issues Warning to Arab Countries as It Mulls Trump Ceasefire Deal
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. A senior Hamas official has issued a warning to Arab nations considering normalizing ties with Israel in an update on the Palestinian movement's deliberations on whether or not to proceed with the United States' ceasefire proposal in Gaza. The statement, issued Wednesday by Hamas Political Bureau member Kamal Abu Aoun, "confirmed that the movement's leadership continues its tireless, round-the-clock efforts with various parties to reach a comprehensive agreement that leads to a complete cessation of the aggression on Gaza, emphasizing the movement's positive openness to initiatives and proposals presented by mediators." "He expressed hope that the mediators' efforts will soon bear fruit in reaching a ceasefire and commencing the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip," the statement said. Newsweek reached out to a representative of Hamas for comment. Abu Aoun did not confirm whether or not the group was prepared to accept the deal on the table, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and centered around a 60-day truce and the release of the remaining 50 hostages held by the group in exchange for more than 1,400 Palestinian prisoners and bodies held by Israel. But as he praised the efforts of Palestinians engaged in the war, soon to reach its 21st month, he also weighed in on the debate over what remains of the Arab diplomat boycott of Israel. Abu Aoun was cited as saying "that Arab and Islamic countries are not immune from the dangers of the Zionist project and must realize that the battle does not concern Palestine alone, but rather affects the national security and strategic interests of the entire nation, and that Palestine remains the first line of defense for these interests." He also "emphasized that normalization with the occupation does not bring prosperity, but rather deepens dependency and consolidates hegemony," according to the statement, which warned that "any path to normalization following this brutal war on Gaza is a betrayal of Jerusalem and an abdication of historical responsibility toward the Palestinian cause." Abu Aoun also offered praise to another regional power, noting how "Turkey has been and continues to be a fundamental supporter of the Palestinian people and plays a significant role in supporting the political position of the resistance." Why It Matters The latest statement from Hamas comes as Trump increasingly signals that a deal is on the horizon. Last Friday, days after Trump announced a ceasefire in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, a source familiar with the Israel-Hamas negotiations taking place in Qatar told Newsweek that "the president is working very hard on convincing the Israelis that the time is right, now that they have finished with the issue of Iran." "The president is clearly interested not just in a mere 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas," the source said. "He's hoping that those 60 days would lead to a resolution, the release of all the hostages and permanent cease fire that could lead to negotiations over the future of an Israel-Palestine peace agreement." That same day, Trump told reporters he believed a deal was possible "within the next week." A billboard in Tel Aviv by the "Coalition for Regional Security" depicts President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Arab heads of state with the Hebrew slogan "a time for war, a time... A billboard in Tel Aviv by the "Coalition for Regional Security" depicts President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Arab heads of state with the Hebrew slogan "a time for war, a time for settlement; now is the time for the 'Abrahamic Covenant.'" More JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images Trump announced in a Truth Social post on Tuesday that Israel had "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War." He expressed hope that Hamas "takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE." Throughout his dealings on the issues of Gaza and Iran, the U.S. leader has also recently signaled that more countries in the region have expressed interest in establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, expanding on the 2020 Abraham Accords initiative through which the first Trump administration oversaw such a move taken by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. "We have some really great countries in there right now and I think we're going to start loading them up, because Iran was the primary problem." Trump said during an interview aired Sunday on Fox News. "I actually thought we had a period of time where Iran would join the Abraham Accords along with everybody else," he added. "And frankly, they would have been better off than where they are right now." What To Know Israel and Hamas have been at war since October 7, 2023, when the group launched an attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli officials. More than 430 Israeli soldiers have died in the conflict, according to the Israel Defense Forces. More than 57,000 people have been killed since Israel began its ongoing offensive in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Arab nations have universally condemned Israel's Gaza offensive, which resumed in March after a previous deal overseen by the Trump administration collapsed. U.S. and Israeli officials have accused Hamas of effectively rejecting the temporary ceasefire, while the group has maintained that it was open to engaging on the proposal while seeking guarantees for a permanent cessation of hostilities. Thus far, neither the four Abraham Accords parties nor the only prior two Arab countries to have normalized ties with Israel—Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994—have severed diplomatic relations. Among the nations believed to currently be in talks toward potentially establishing diplomatic ties with Israel is Syria. Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who took power in December after an Islamist rebel offensive toppled longtime President Bashar al-Assad, a key Iranian ally, confirmed in May that his new administration had engaged in indirect talks with Israel to de-escalate tensions. Israeli media have since reported on "advanced talks" held directly by the two sides toward normalization, citing senior Israeli officials. Trump did not indicate during his Fox News interview whether or not he believed Syria would join the Abraham Accords, but pointed to his recent lifting of sanctions against the country. "You get more sometimes with honey than you do with vinegar," he said. The U.S. and Israel have also long expressed hope that Saudi Arabia may join the Abraham Accords, though ties with Israel were notably absent from the set of agreements signed during Trump's visit to the kingdom in May. Saudi officials have repeatedly expressed that they would only consider establishing diplomatic relations with Israel upon a concrete framework toward Palestinian statehood. What People Are Saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech on Wednesday: "I am telling you—there will be no more Hamas. There will be no more Hamas-stan. We are not going back to that. It's over. We will free all of our hostages. "'Really, how can one say this? These objectives are contradictory!' What nonsense. They go together. We will complete this together, contrary to what is being said. We will eliminate Hamas down to its very foundations. Our opportunities are enormous. We are not going to miss them or lose them. We will not miss these opportunities." The Associated Press cited Hamas spokesperson Taher al-Nunu as saying Wednesday that the group was "ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement," and was "ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war." What Happens Next Netanyahu is reportedly scheduled to travel to the U.S. to meet with Trump on Monday. The conversation has been framed around the recent ceasefire declared by Trump to the Iran-Israel war that also directed U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, though the situation in Gaza was also likely to be a main topic of discussion.
