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☆ US Has Intelligence Confirming Islamic State Responsibility for Russia Attack, Official Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-22 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Steve Holland(Reuters) - The United States has intelligence confirming Islamic State's claim of responsibility for a deadly shooting at a concert near Moscow, a U.S. official said on Friday. The official said the United States had warned Russia in recent weeks about the possibility of an attack. War in Israel and Gaza View All 222 Images"We did warn the Russians appropriately," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, without providing any additional details. At least 40 people were killed and 145 wounded on Friday when camouflage-clad gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons on concertgoers near Moscow in one of the deadliest attacks on Russia in decades. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 96 ImagesIslamic State, the militant group that once sought control over swathes of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the attack, the group's Amaq agency said on Telegram.

Persons: Steve Holland, Andrea Shalal, Sandra Maler Organizations: United, Islamic, U.S Locations: United States, Moscow, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Iraq, Syria

☆ US Asks Hamas to Release Women, Elderly Hostages for Longer Ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday urged Hamas militants in Gaza to release women, elderly and wounded hostages and accept a temporary ceasefire in the fighting with Israel in order to secure a more lasting one. Hamas says it will only accept a deal based on a permanent ceasefire that ends the war and includes an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, rather than another temporary truce. War in Israel and Gaza View All 222 ImagesUnder the most recent proposal, Israel would release Palestinian prisoners at a 10-to-one ratio to the number of Hamas hostages held. Hamas took at least 200 hostages on Oct. 7. During a week-long truce in late November, Hamas freed more than 100 Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Israel releasing about 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Israel, We're, Sullivan, Jeff Mason, Steve Holland, Heather Timmons, David Gregorio Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hamas, House, Israel Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ Biden Says 'Putin and His Thugs' Caused Navalny's Death
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Steve HollandWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Alexei Navalny's death, saying he was "not surprised" but "outraged" by the opposition leader's passing. Make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalny's death." He also said he was "contemplating" additional steps to punish Russia in the aftermath of Navalny's death, paying tribute to the opposition leader for "bravely" standing up to Putin's government's "corruption" and "violence." The 47-year-old Navalny had been a leading critic of Putin, and Biden had said after meeting Putin in Geneva in June 2021 that Nalvany's death would risk devastating consequences for Putin. She also met with Alexei Navalny's wife Yulia on the margins of the conference and "expressed her sorrow and outrage" over reports of her husband's death, a White House official said.

Persons: Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny's, Nalvany, Putin, Biden, Navalny, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Kamala Harris, Yulia, Trump, Steve Holland, Ismail Shakil, Gabriel Araujo, Doina, Trevor Hunnicutt, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: White, Republican, U.S, Congress, NATO, House, Representatives Locations: Russia, Russian, Geneva, Ukraine, U.S, Baltic, Munich, Michigan , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, NATO

☆ White House: Russia's Anti-Satellite Capability Is Concerning but No Immediate Threat
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Andrea Shalal and Steve HollandWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia is developing an anti-satellite capability that has not yet been deployed and U.S. President Joe Biden has requested direct diplomatic engagement with Moscow about it, the White House said on Thursday. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, said the weapon is concerning but poses no immediate threat. At the daily White House news briefing, Kirby shed light on the new Russian capability after a senior Republican lawmaker, U.S. Representative Mike Turner, on Wednesday warned of a "serious national security threat." The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesWhite House national security adviser Jake Sullivan planned to brief four senior lawmakers about the threat on Thursday. He said it was a troubling development "but no immediate threat to anyone's safety" on earth.

Persons: Andrea Shalal, Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Kirby, Mike Turner, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Steve Holland, Chris Reese, Chizu Organizations: White House, Republican, White Locations: Russia, Moscow

☆ US Underlines to Israel It Must Stick to International Law on Weapons
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Steve HollandWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has briefed Israel on a new U.S. national security memorandum that reminds countries receiving U.S. weapons to stick to international law, the White House said on Friday. The Israeli assault was launched in response to a Hamas attack on Israel in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed. "Instead we are spelling publicly the existing standards by the international law including the law of armed conflict." One section of the memorandum reminds recipients of U.S. military aid to "respect their obligations under international law and reduce the risk of civilian harm." Even if states say they are acting in self-defense, international rules regarding armed conflict apply to all participants in a war.

Persons: Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Israel, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, Jean, Joe Biden, Steve Holland, Heather Timmons, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: United, House, Hamas, Leftist Democrats, Arab, Biden, U.S Locations: United States, U.S, Israel, Gaza, Washington, Dearborn , Michigan

☆ Ukraine Tells White House of Plan to Fire Top Commander -Sources
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Max Hunder and Steve HollandDONETSK REGION, UKRAINE/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Ukrainian government has informed the White House that it plans to fire the country's top military commander overseeing the war against Russian occupation forces, two knowledgeable sources said on Friday. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesA second knowledgeable source said that the White House did not express a position one way or the other on the plan to replace Zaluzhnyi. "I would emphasize that the White House response was that we did not support or object to their sovereign decision," said the source, who request anonymity in order to discuss the issue. "The White House expressed that it is up to Ukraine to make its own sovereign decisions about its personnel," the source continued. The Washington Post was first to report that Ukraine had informed the White House of the plan to fire Zaluzhnyi.

Persons: Max Hunder, Steve Holland, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zaluzhnyi, Jonathan Landay, Leslie Adler, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Ukrainian, Washington Post Locations: Steve Holland DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE, WASHINGTON, Ukraine, .

☆ Factbox-Who Are Trump's Top Presidential Campaign Aides?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

One of her first experiences, according to her LinkedIn profile, was working as deputy director of scheduling for Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign. Wiles was hired to help Trump's campaign win Florida in the 2016 election, securing a major upset against Democrat Hillary Clinton. He is a close confidant of the former president and a digital expert, recording videos of Trump's campaign appearances for use on social media. A longtime political strategist, Miller initially worked for Texas Senator Ted Cruz in the 2016 presidential campaign, which pitted him against Trump. Jack started out in the 2016 presidential campaign working for Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who went on to become Housing and Urban Development Secretary in the Trump administration.

Persons: Donald Trump, SUSIE WILES, Chris LaCivita, Wiles, Ronald Reagan's, Reagan, Democrat Hillary Clinton, CHRIS LACIVITA LaCivita, LaCivita, Rand Paul, Ron Johnson, Paul, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, John Kerry, DAN SCAVINO Dan Scavino, Scavino, Trump, Dan, JASON MILLER Jason Miller, Miller, Ted Cruz, Cruz, STEVEN CHEUNG Steven Cheung, Jason Miller, Cheung, BRIAN JACK Brian Jack, Jack, Ben Carson, Carson, Alexandra Ulmer, Nathan Layne, Steve Holland, Ross Colvin, Pravin Char Organizations: Reuters, Republican Party's, Florida, Democrat, Jacksonville Jaguars, U.S . Marine, Republican, Republican National Committee, Trump, Make, PAC, Swift, Veterans, Trump's, CNN, Ultimate, ex, White House, Urban Development Locations: Florida, Wisconsin, Vietnam, Trump, Texas, California

☆ Israel's Dermer to Meet Sullivan at White House on Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will meet on Wednesday with top Israeli official Ron Dermer on the Gaza conflict, a White House official said on Tuesday. The United States has been working with Israel and Qatar to reach a deal for the release of hostages still held by Hamas since the Islamist militant group's deadly assault from Gaza into southern Israel on Oct. 7. Washington has also been pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to plan for when Israel's military operation in Gaza is over. Dermer, who is Israel's minister for strategic affairs, is a well-known figure in Washington, having served as Israel's ambassador. (Reporting By Steve Holland)

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Ron Dermer, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Steve Holland Organizations: WASHINGTON, White House, White, United, Hamas, Washington, Israeli Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Qatar, Washington

☆ US Says Its Israel Policy Unchanged After Report on Leveraging Weapon Sales
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Kanishka Singh and Steve HollandWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Sunday there was no change in its Israel policy after NBC News reported the United States was discussing using weapon sales to Israel as leverage to convince the Israeli government to scale back its military assault in Gaza. "Israel has a right and obligation to defend themselves against the threat of Hamas, while abiding by international humanitarian law and protecting civilian lives, and we remain committed to support Israel in its fight against Hamas. There has not been a change in our policy," a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said. NBC News reported earlier on Sunday that at the direction of the White House, the Pentagon has been reviewing what weaponry Israel has requested that could be used as leverage. Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

Persons: Kanishka Singh, Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Israel, Joe Biden, Israel's, Steve Holland, Lisa Shumaker, Matthew Lewis Organizations: NBC News, White House National Security Council, White, Pentagon, NBC, Hamas Locations: Israel, United States, Gaza, Washington, Hamas

☆ Hezbollah Rejected US Overtures, Still Open to Diplomacy to Avoid Wider War
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +9 min

U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein has been leading a diplomatic outreach to restore security at the Israel-Lebanon frontier as the wider region teeters dangerously towards a major escalation of the conflict ignited by the Gaza war. Israel has also said it wants to avoid war, but both sides say they are ready to fight if necessary. Branded a terrorist organisation by Washington, Hezbollah has not been directly involved in talks, three Lebanese officials and a European diplomat said. Hezbollah has dismissed both ideas as unrealistic, the Lebanese officials and the diplomat said. Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday said attacks against Israel and its interests by the "Axis of Resistance" will stop if the Gaza war ends.

Persons: Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, Amos Hochstein, Hochstein, Israel, Spokespeople, Eylon Levy, Najib Mikati, Mikati, Hamas, Mohanad Hage Ali, Hage Ali, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Gebeily, Dan Williams, Tom Perry, Steve Holland, Edtiing, Frank Jack Daniel Organizations: U.S, Yemen's, Reuters, Hezbollah, Lebanese, Iran's, Guards, Carnegie Middle East Center Locations: Maya, Maya Gebeily BEIRUT, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen's Iran, Red Sea, U.S, Lebanese, Beirut, Jan, Washington, European, Hochstein, United States, IRAN, Syria, Iraq, Tehran, France, Jerusalem

☆ US Relists Houthis as Terrorists in Response to Red Sea Attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Officials said the "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" (SDGT) designation, which hits the Iran-aligned group with harsh sanctions, was aimed at cutting off funding and weapons the Houthis have used to attack or hijack ships in vital Red Sea shipping lanes. The Houthis' campaign has disrupted global commerce, stoked fears of inflation and deepened concern that fallout from the Israel-Hamas war could destabilize the Middle East. "These attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism," said one of three administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of the announcement on condition of anonymity. The U.S. military on Tuesday carried out its latest strike against four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles, two U.S. officials told Reuters. The Houthi militia movement, which says the attacks on commercial ships are aimed at supporting the Palestinians in Israel's war in Gaza, has threatened a "strong and effective response."

Persons: Simon Lewis, Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Biden, stoked, Trump, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Michael Perry Organizations: Wednesday, Officials, British, Reuters, Palestinian, Hamas, United Nations Locations: Yemen, Washington, Iran, Israel, The U.S, Gaza, Lebanon, U.S, Saudi Arabia

☆ US 'Not Looking for War' With Houthis -White House
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. is not looking for a war with the Houthis, the White House said on Tuesday. The Houthis have a choice to make and they still have time to make the right choice, which is to stop these reckless attacks," White House spokesman John Kirby said. Attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea have affected companies and alarmed major world powers. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Writing by Jasper Ward; Editing by Caitlin Webber)

Persons: John Kirby, Steve Holland, Jasper Ward, Caitlin Webber Organizations: WASHINGTON Locations: U.S

☆ Biden: US Delivered Private Message to Iran About Houthi Attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Steve Holland and Nandita BoseWASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States had delivered a private message to Iran about Iran-backed Houthis responsible for attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea. "We delivered it privately and we're confident we're well-prepared," Biden told reporters at the White House before departing to the Camp David presidential retreat for the weekend. The Houthi movement threatened a "strong and effective response" after the United States carried out another strike in Yemen overnight, further ratcheting up tensions as Washington vows to protect shipping from attacks by the Iran-aligned group. The latest strike, which the U.S. said hit a radar site, came a day after dozens of American and British strikes on Houthi facilities in Yemen. Biden, whose administration removed the Houthis from a State Department list of "foreign terrorist organizations" in 2021, was asked by reporters on Friday whether he felt the term "terrorist" described the movement now.

Persons: Steve Holland, Nandita Bose WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Biden, Camp David, John Kirby, Washington, Daniel Wallis Organizations: United, White, Camp, State Department Locations: United States, Iran, Red, Yemen

☆ Biden: US Does Not Support Taiwan Independence
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Steve Holland, Nandita Bose and Trevor HunnicuttWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan, after Taiwanese voters rebuffed China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term. "We do not support independence..." Biden said, when asked for reaction to Saturday's elections. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and has long said it does not support a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan. It does, however, maintain unofficial relations with the self-governed island and remains its most important backer and arms supplier. In a show of support for the government, Biden plans to dispatch an unofficial delegation to the self-governed island, according to a senior Biden administration official.

Persons: Steve Holland, Nandita Bose, Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai Ching, Biden, Lai, Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Tsai Ing, Jimmy Carter, Trevor Hunnicutt, Diane Craft, Michael Perry Organizations: Democratic Progressive, United, U.S ., Biden Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Taipei, Republic of Taiwan, Washington, U.S, California

[1/2] Israeli soldiers stand in order, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near Israel's border with Gaza, in southern Israel, December 4, 2023. The U.S. official spoke after three days of resumed aerial bombardments of southern Gaza left residents pulling the bodies of children and adults from the rubble. But the U.S. official said reducing military support to Israel would carry major risks. On Friday, Israel's military began posting grid-based maps online ordering Palestinians to leave parts of southern Gaza, directing them towards the Mediterranean coast and Rafah, near the Egyptian border. Residents and journalists on the ground said intense Israeli airstrikes hit southern Gaza on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Israel's, Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ophir Falk, Seth Binder, Binder, Eylon Levy, Jake Sullivan, Omar Shakir, Humeyra Pamuk, Jonathan Saul, Maggie Fick, James Mackenzie, Steve Holland, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, U.S, Health Ministry, Washington, United, Reuters, Reuters Graphics, East Democracy, Biden, Democratic, Israel, . National, Palestine, Human Rights, Amnesty, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Israel's, Gaza, LONDON, BEIRUT, U.S, United States, East, Gaza City, Rafah, Jerusalem, Washington

☆ Israel considers flooding Gaza tunnels with seawater- WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It was not clear whether Israel would consider using the pumps before all hostages were released, according to the story. Hamas has previously said it has hidden captives in "safe places and tunnels." The Wall Street Journal said an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official declined to comment on the flooding plan but was quoted as saying: "The IDF is operating to dismantle Hamas’s terror capabilities in various ways, using different military and technological tools." Israel first informed the United States of the option last month, the Wall Street Journal said, reporting that officials did not know how close Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was to carrying out the plan. Israel has not made a final decision to go ahead or rule it out, the officials were cited as saying.

Persons: Ronen, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Costas Pitas, Steve Holland, Emily Rose, Don Durfee, Stephen Coates Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Wall Street, U.S, Reuters, Street Journal, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Wall Street Journal, Thomson Locations: Al, Gaza City, Gaza, Israel, United States

Residents, many of whom had moved there to flee earlier attacks in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, said they could hear tank fire and feared a new Israeli ground offensive was building. The Israeli military earlier ordered people to evacuate some areas in and near the city, but made no announcement of any new southern ground assault. "The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) continues to extend its ground operation against Hamas centres in all of the Gaza Strip," spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in Tel Aviv. GROUND OFFENSIVE FEAREDGaza residents said earlier on Sunday they feared an Israeli ground offensive on the southern areas was imminent. Tanks had cut off the road between Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, effectively dividing the Gaza Strip into three.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Khan Younis, Daniel Hagari, Eylon Levy, Younis, United States —, —, Kamala Harris, Isaac Herzog, Mahmoud Abbas, Harris, Israel, Osama Hamdan, Deir, Suhaib Salem, Nidal, Mohammed Salem, Maayan Lubell, Ari Rabinovich, Emily Rose, Maggie Fick, Andrew Mills, Nandita Bose, Idrees Ali, Steve Holland, Phil Stewart, David Lawder, Lincoln Organizations: Hamas, Pentagon, Palestinian, IDF, Israel Defence Forces, U.S . Defense Department, Yemen's, Reuters, United, Tanks, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Khan, U.S, Sea, Pentagon Iran, GAZA, CAIRO, Tel Aviv, Gaza City, Yemen's Iran, Hamas, Rafah, Gaza's, Beit Lahiya, United States, Lebanon, Egypt, Cairo, Jerusalem, Beirut, Doha, Dubai, Washington

JAKE SULLIVAN - THE LAST GUY IN THE ROOMBiden often turns to Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, when he is considering final options and looking for advice and counsel. "He develops and puts forward the policy options before the president for him to decide," said one U.S. official. Sullivan, 47, was national security adviser for Biden when he was vice president and deputy chief of staff to then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He gathers policy options from across government agencies and prepares them for Biden to consider, the traditional role of the national security adviser. JON FINER - ASKING QUESTIONSSullivan relies heavily on his deputy national security adviser, Jon Finer.

Persons: Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Evelyn Hockstein, ANTONY BLINKEN, Biden, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, JAKE SULLIVAN, Sullivan, Jake, Hillary Clinton, BRETT MCGURK, Brett McGurk, McGurk, George W, Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, BILL BURNS, spymaster, Bill Burns, It's, Burns, LLOYD AUSTIN, STARK, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Israel, KAMALA HARRIS, Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, JON, Jon, John Kerry's, Kerry, Arshad Mohammed, Nandita Bose, Don Durfee, Heather Timmons, Deepa Babington Organizations: U.S, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, Israeli, Biden, White House, National Security, U.S ., CIA, . Defense, Pentagon, Islamic State, U.S . Army, ISIS, Palestinian, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Washington Post, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, East, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, United States, Qatar, Doha, Iran, Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Ankara, U.S, Austin, Dubai, West

[1/8] U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris disembarks an aircraft as she arrives to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 2, 2023. The White House said Harris will carry a message about post-conflict Gaza as the region grapples with the fallout from a war that has upended the Middle East. Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' mainstream Fatah party and has ruled the enclave ever since. How post-conflict Gaza should realistically be managed is an issue that has confounded regional leaders and Middle East experts. "In her meetings, the vice president will outline our principles for post-conflict Gaza, lay out specific proposals that put Palestinian voices at the center, and build regional support for our efforts," the White House official said.

Persons: Kamala Harris disembarks, Amr Alfiky, Kamala Harris, Harris, Joe Biden, Mahmoud Abbas, Biden, Critics, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we’ve, John Kirby, Nandita Bose, Steve Holland, Matt Spetalnick, Heather Timmons, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S, United Nations, Change, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Rights, West Bank, White, Palestinian, Fatah, Middle, Authority, United, White House, House, Munich, Conference, Thomson Locations: Dubai, United Arab, Israel, Gaza, United Arab Emirates, Washington, Russia, Ukraine

Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas following its Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel in which it says 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage. "Frankly, the scale of civilian suffering, and the images and videos coming from Gaza, are devastating," Harris told reporters. The United States has been increasingly vocal that Israel must narrow the combat zone during any offensive in southern Gaza and ensure safe zones for non-combatants. Gaza health officials said that in addition to the death toll, 650 people had been wounded since the truce collapsed. Gaza health officials said three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a house in Rafah.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Lloyd Austin, Israel, Harris, Austin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Wessam Farhat, Amir Cohen, Mark Regev, Robert Mardini, Emmanuel Macron, Saleh Al, Arouri, Yoav Gallant, Khan Younis, Suhaib, Nidal, Mohammed Salem, Ari Rabinovich, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, Nandita Bose, Steve Holland, Phil Stewart, Matt Spetalnick, Nick Zieminski, Matt Lewis, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Hamas, U.S . Defense, Simi Valley , California ., U.S, REUTERS, International Committee, Reuters, Crescent, Palestinian, Al, Israeli, Palestinian News Agency, Tel, Thomson Locations: GAZA, CAIRO, Israel, Gaza, Washington, Egypt, Dubai, Simi Valley , California, Simi Valley , California . Austin, U.S, Tel Aviv, United States, Palestinian, Rafah, Qatar, Al Jazeera, Suhaib Salem, Cairo, Jerusalem, Doha

☆ White House Says Israel to Allow Aid Trucks Into Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday it believed Israel will allow humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza after a lull due to resumed fighting between Israel and Hamas militants, but the number of deliveries will likely be reduced. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, citing reports from Israel, said Israel had agreed to resume letting truck deliveries through at the urging of the United States. But he said truck deliveries would likely be reduced to dozens a day rather than the hundreds of trucks that were getting into Gaza daily during a week-long pause in fighting that ended on Thursday. Kirby said Gaza needs much more aid, but that the decision to resume aid deliveries, after stringent inspections, "looks like a good sign going forward." U.S. officials are pushing for a resumption of a pause in fighting in order to extract more hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.

Persons: John Kirby, Israel, Kirby, Steve Holland, Susan Heavey, Doina Chiacu, Franklin Paul, Leslie Adler Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hamas, White House Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States

WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday it was prepared to "pause" sanctions relief for OPEC member Venezuela in coming days unless there is further progress on the release of Venezuelan political prisoners and "wrongfully detained" Americans. Any “snapback” of partially lifted U.S. sanctions would mark a major shift from President Joe Biden's new approach toward Venezuela. In the most significant lifting of tough Trump-era sanctions, Washington issued a six-month general license authorizing U.S. transactions with Venezuela’s vital oil and gas sector and a second license authorizing operations of state gold mining company Minerven. Washington had vowed to reverse that sanctions relief unless the Venezuela's Socialist government took steps by the end of November to release political prisoners and three Americans it considers unlawfully jailed, and also lift public-office bans on opposition candidates. The Venezuelan government released five political prisoners in October but there have been no releases since.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, John Kirby, Joe Biden's, Washington, “, ” Kirby, ”, we're, Kirby, Maria Corina Machado, Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland, Mayela Armas, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Venezuelan, White House, Trump, Socialist, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Venezuelan, Maduro, Washington, U.S, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Caracas

According to three regional sources, Israel related its plans to its neighbours Egypt and Jordan, along with the United Arab Emirates, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020. He declined to offer details when asked whether those plans had been raised with international partners, including Arab states. A U.S. official, who declined to be identified, said Israel had "floated" the buffer zone idea without saying to whom. The regional sources compared the Gaza buffer zone plan to the "security zone" Israel once had in south Lebanon. "The buffer zone could make (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's forces a target also in the zone," he said.

Persons: Ronen, Israel, Abu Dhabi, Ophir Falk, Benjamin Netanyahu, Lebanon's, it's, Mohammad Dahlan, Benjamin, Netanyahu's, Samia Nakhoul, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Jonathan Saul, Dan Williams, Aidan Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk, Steve Holland, Edmund Blair, Daniel Flynn Organizations: REUTERS, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, Reuters, U.S, Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Palestinian Fatah, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Gaza Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, U.S, DUBAI, CAIRO, LONDON, Israel, Riyadh, Arab Turkey, Qatar, Qatari, Turkish, Palestinian, Cairo, Lebanon, PLO, Dubai, London, Jerusalem, Washington

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Henry Kissinger, the most powerful U.S. diplomat of the Cold War era, who helped Washington open up to China, forge arms control deals with the Soviet Union and end the Vietnam War, but who was reviled by critics over human rights, has died aged 100. While many hailed Kissinger for his brilliance and statesmanship, others branded him a war criminal for his support for anti-communist dictatorships, especially in Latin America. Kissinger won the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, but it was one of the most controversial ever. When Nixon's pledge to end the Vietnam War helped him win the 1968 presidential election, he brought in Kissinger as national security adviser. And in the India-Pakistan War of 1971, Nixon and Kissinger drew heavy criticism for tilting toward Pakistan.

Persons: Henry Kissinger, Kissinger, Richard Nixon, Nixon's, Gerald Ford, Joe Biden's, John Kirby, Biden, Le Duc Tho, Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Abdul Momen, Kissinger's, Momen, Ford, Henry, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Heinz Alfred Kissinger, Egon Bahr, Fabrizio Bensch, Lyndon, Nixon, Premier Zhou Enlai, Mao Zedong, China Winston Lord, Leonid Brezhnev, Salvador Allende, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George W, Bush, Xi Jinping, Ann Fleischer, Nancy Maginnes, New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Steve Holland, Arshad Mohammed, Dan Whitcomb, Don Durfee, Kanishka Singh, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jarrett Renshaw, Bill Trott, Diane Craft, Rosalba O'Brien, Tomasz Janowski, Frances Kerry, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Jewish, Kissinger Associates, Arlington National, Republican, Paris Peace, Democratic, U.S, HARVARD, Nazi, Social Democratic, Mary's, REUTERS, Army, Harvard University, State Department, Paris Peace Accords, Communist, Premier, Former U.S, Ford, CIA, Democrat, House, New York Governor, Thomson Locations: U.S, Washington, China, Soviet Union, Vietnam, German, Connecticut, New York, Arlington, Israel, Paris, North Vietnam, America, Cambodia, North Vietnamese, Beijing, Russian, statesmanship, West, East Pakistan, Bangladesh, Fuerth, Germany, United States, St, Berlin, Europe, Jerusalem, Damascus, Syria, Golan, Vladivostok, Egypt, Sinai, India, Pakistan, Saint Paul , Minnesota, Long Beach , California

☆ Biden praised Kissinger in life, offers measured reaction on his death
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Heather Timmons | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks In the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House complex in Washington, U.S., November 27, 2023. Fifteen years later, Biden's White House took a more distant approach, waiting about 24 hours to issue a statement after Kissinger died at age 100 on Wednesday. Biden said he first met Kissinger when he was a young Democratic senator from Delaware and he was secretary of state. Biden said after Kissinger retired from government "he continued to offer his views and ideas to the most important policy discussion across multiple generations." “It’s a huge loss,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday, noting Kissinger’s military service during World War Two and years of public service afterward.

Persons: Joe Biden, Eisenhower, Evelyn Hockstein, Henry Kissinger, Biden, Kissinger, Biden's, " Biden, Jill, Nancy, Elizabeth, David, “, John Kirby, Kirby, Heather Timmons, Steve Holland, Caitlin Webber, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Paris Peace, White, Biden, ” National Security, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Iraq, Delaware, China, U.S, Israel, Paris, North Vietnam, America

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