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☆ Plan to Deliver Aid by Sea Faces Big Hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Gaya Gupta | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

“It constitutes tacit consent and encouragement on the part of the governments of Canada and Sweden to continue to ignore the involvement of UNRWA employees in terrorist activity,” the statement said. In a government statement on Saturday, Sweden said that it would disburse a conditional first payment of some $20 million. The United Nations has also commissioned an external review. The United States and other countries announced plans this week to try to get aid into northern Gaza by sea through the Mediterranean coast. In recent weeks, nations have been sending in aid via airdrops attached to parachutes.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ” Philippe Lazzarini, Aaron Boxerman Organizations: United Nations, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNRWA, Nations, European Union, United, Palestinian Locations: Canada, Sweden, Gaza, Israel, United States, Jerusalem

☆ Why Australia keeps an arm’s length from South China Sea tensions, even as it draws closer with the Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the Australian Parliament last week there was no mistaking the fighting talk. The Philippines accused China's coast guard of setting up the barrier at the mouth of the disputed fishing ground. That meeting will also be attended by several other nations with territorial disagreements with China – including Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia. Collin Koh, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said Australia was unlikely to back any tough language at the summit pertaining to the South China Sea or any other hot-button issue. As Bisley put it, “We don’t like what China does, but we’re not going to put ourselves in harm’s way.”

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ”, Marcos, Rodrigo Duterte, –, Thomas Shoal, David, China’s, Marcos ’, China –, Scott Morrison, Collin Koh, Penny Wong annouced, Anthony Albanese, Albanese, Lukas Coch, Susannah Patton, it’s, ” Patton, China’s aggressions, Wang Wenbin, Nick Bisley, Bisley, we’re Organizations: CNN, Maxar, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, China, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, Australia, Australian, Partners, Reuters, South China, Southeast Asia, Lowy Institute, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, La Trobe University Locations: Philippines, China, South China, Manila, China’s, Philippine, Scarborough, Scarborough Shoal, Hague, United States, Canberra, Australia, Melbourne, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Beijing, Singapore, South, Penny Wong annouced Canberra, Southeast Asia, Japan, India

☆ Singapore brokered a deal with Taylor Swift, so she wouldn't take the Eras Tour to other Southeast Asian countries. Now, a Philippines lawmaker is calling it out.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThere's a feud between Singapore and neighboring government officials — and it's all down to Taylor Swift. "Some $3 million in grants were allegedly given by the Singapore government to AEG to host the concert in Singapore. AdvertisementFans of US singer Taylor Swift arrive for the first of the pop star's six sold-out Eras Tour concerts at the National Stadium in Singapore on March 2, 2024. Taylor Swift performs at the National Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Singapore. He claimed he was told the Singapore government offered $2 million to $3 million per show in exchange for exclusivity.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Joey Salceda, Swift, Salceda, Rosland Rahman, Ashok Kumar, Srettha Thavisin, Angel Zhong Organizations: Service, Business, Philippines, Department of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, AEG, The Straits Times, Getty, GMA Network, Association of South East Asian Nations, Sky News, BBC News, CNA, Finance, RMIT University, Forbes Locations: Singapore, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Bangkok, Thailand

A Florida funeral home shipped the men’s remains to Ireland, according to a letter from a Florida medical examiner’s office. A CNN request under open-records law revealed documents confirming the mix-up, including letters from the Irish consulate in Atlanta to the medical examiner’s office and investigators involved in the case. That’s when the victims’ loved ones discovered the mix-up, according to the August letter from the medical examiner’s office. The Pinellas County Forensic Science Center in Largo, Florida -- home to the medical examiner's office. The District Six Medical Examiner Office did not respond to CNN’s request for additional details.

Persons: Kane Mitchell, Luke Comiskey, he’d, Comiskey, Mitchell, they’re, William Pellan, it’s, “, ” Pellan, Luke Comiskey’s, Luke, James Richard Peoples III, Peoples, ”, ’, Chris O'Mera, Pellan, Leana Wen, Police Adam Geissenberger, Barnabas Church Organizations: CNN, Florida, Pinellas Park Police Department, District Six, Office, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, Pinellas Park police, Peoples, Six, Medical, Forensic Science, Medical Examiner Office, CNN Florida’s Department of Law, Pinellas, Pinellas Park Chief, Police, Gaelic football Locations: Dublin, Pinellas Park, St . Petersburg, Florida, Ireland, Irish, Atlanta, St . Petersburg , Florida, Pinellas, Largo , Florida, Baltimore, New York, St, Bronx, New York City, Australia, Spain

☆ Opinion: This election, Americans are shedding an ugly stereotype
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Increasingly, 2024 is becoming a foreign policy election. Even on domestic policy, one of the top issues is immigration, an area where foreign and domestic policy intersect. But foreign policy has still managed to emerge as a key concern. In 2013, when President Barack Obama launched his second term, I listened to his inaugural speech looking for clues about foreign policy. Americans worry about what’s happening in the world and about the role the United States will play in directing that trajectory.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Jim Hoge, ” It’s, Joe Biden’s, “, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, Trump, Vladimir Putin, Biden, disparages Putin, Pew, ”, Harris, Barack Obama, …, Bashar al, Assad Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Foreign Affairs, Democratic, Israel, Republican, NATO, Biden, Trump, Hamas, Gallup, Harvard, Islamic, ISIS, West Locations: Michigan, Russia, United States, Ukraine, Israel, China, Taiwan, Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent a letter on Saturday to Elon Musk demanding that U.S. troops stationed in Taiwan get access to SpaceX's Starshield, a satellite communication network designed specifically for the military. The letter, obtained by CNBC and first reported by Forbes, claimed that by not making Starshield available to U.S. military forces in Taiwan, SpaceX could violate its Pentagon contract, which requires "global access" to Starshield technology. The letter requests that Musk provide the House committee with a briefing on its Taiwan operations by March 8. Taiwan has been governing itself independently of China since the island split from the mainland during the 1949 civil war. "I think I've got a pretty good understanding as an outsider of China," Musk said on the All-In Podcast.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Forbes, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Musk, I've, Jaushieh Joseph Wu Organizations: Fratelli, Chinese Communist Party, Elon, CNBC, SpaceX, Pentagon, U.S ., Rep, CCP, Starshield, Russia, U.S, Tesla, Foreign Locations: Italy, Rome, Taiwan, China, American, Shanghai, Hawaii

☆ Negotiators race to secure Israel-Hamas hostage and ceasefire deal ahead of Ramadan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Mj Lee | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Looming over the hostage deal discussions is the threat by Israel to launch an offensive into Rafah in southern Gaza, where around 1.5 million displaced Gazans have fled. Israel appears dug inAs Israel appears dug in its position, negotiators expect Hamas to again respond in the coming days. The first hostage deal in late November saw the return of dozens of hostages taken captive by Hamas on October 7 and a week-long truce. Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have continued to argue that “complete victory” is needed over Hamas. Supporting Tuesday’s UN resolution, proposed by Algeria, in the middle of the ongoing hostage talks would have jeopardized the ceasefire talks, White House said.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Ramadan, Israel, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden’s, Brett McGurk, Bill Burns ’, ” Gal Hirsch, Majed Al, Ansari, ” Al, Benny Gantz, White, “, John Kirby, – Organizations: CNN, Israel, CIA, Munich Security, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “ Qatar, United Nations, UN, Senior, United Nations Security Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Cairo, Doha, Algeria

☆ Sexual assaults carried out ‘systematically’ during Hamas attack, Israeli report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lauren Izso | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Israeli civilians suffered “brutal sexual assaults” that were carried out “systematically and deliberately” during Hamas’ October 7 attacks, according to a report published by the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI) on Wednesday. When most of the victims of sexual assaults are murdered, we have a moral and humanitarian obligation to amplify their silent cry,” the report said. According to evidence collected by the ARCCI, men, women, and children were all victims of gruesome sexual abuse on October 7. It is the only organization in Israel whose main aim is to combat sexual violence, according to its website. The allegations include extrajudicial killing, arbitrary detention, degrading treatment, rape and sexual violence, according to a statement by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Persons: ”, “, Orit Sulitzeanu Organizations: CNN, Association, Nova, UN, United, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, West Bank, Human Rights, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Israel, Gaza, United Nations

☆ Lebanon foreign minister: We need a full solution in the Middle East, not half a solution
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailLebanon foreign minister: We need a full solution in the Middle East, not half a solutionDr. Abdallah Bou Habib, Lebanon's minister of foreign affairs and emigrants, speaks to CNBC's Silvia Amaro from the Munich Security Conference.

Persons: Abdallah Bou Habib, CNBC's Silvia Amaro Organizations: Lebanon, Munich Security Conference

☆ Where is Hind? Calls for answers more than a week after rescuers go missing trying to save trapped 6-year-old
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Demands for answers are mounting over the fate of 6-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who became trapped in a car with her dead relatives after it came under Israeli fire in Gaza more than a week ago. “We need to know what has happened to Hind and the PRCS ambulance team,” the PRCS said in their latest statement on X early Tuesday. “So many wonderful things can happen in a week, but for those waiting for news or for information a week is anguish. We’re in the car, the tank is right next to us,” Layan screams, amid intense gunfire in the background. Alone, terrified and trapped in the car with the bodies of her relatives around her, Hind made a desperate call for help.

Persons: Hind Rajab, Hind, ”, ” Hind, “, ” Layan, Layan, Jaafar Ashtiyeh, PRCS, Yousef Zieno, Ahmed Almadhoun –, Rana Al, I’m, Yousef, Ahmed, Hind’s, Wissam Hamada, …, ” Wissam, Hind Hamada, Wissam Organizations: CNN, Palestine Red Crescent Society, ” CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Red, Getty, Health Ministry, Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IDF, of Health, “ Locations: Gaza, Palestine, Israeli, AFP, Rana, Al, Israel

An Australian writer and businessman who has been detained in China since 2019 has been declared guilty of espionage and was given a death sentence with two years’ probation on Monday, in a blow to warming relations between Australia and China. If Mr. Yang does not commit any crimes in those probationary two years, the sentence can be commuted to life imprisonment, Penny Wong, the Australian foreign minister, said in a statement. She described the verdict as “harrowing.”The long detention of Mr. Yang — who is also known by his legal name, Yang Jun — has been one of the sources of tensions between Australia and China. Now the severe sentence may again weigh on relations, which had been improving after the election of a new, center-left Labor government in Australia in 2022. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, visited Beijing late last year and has pressed for Mr. Yang’s release.

Persons: Yang Hengjun, Yang, Penny Wong, Yang —, Yang Jun —, Anthony Albanese Organizations: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labor Locations: Australian, China, Australia, Beijing

☆ Kenya Plans to Bypass Court Order in Haiti Deployment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Kenya’s government will not await a court of appeal ruling before deploying its forces to Haiti, a senior government official said, further underscoring the government’s determination to move ahead with the proposed multinational force aimed at bringing stability to the gang-ravaged Caribbean nation. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, the principal secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told The New York Times in an interview that Kenya and Haiti were working to finalize a bilateral agreement in the next two weeks and that, once in place, Kenyan forces would immediately deploy. The declaration from Mr. Sing’Oei comes just a week after the country’s High Court blocked the deployment of 1,000 police officers, saying it could go ahead only if there was a “reciprocal arrangement” detailing the framework under which Kenyan forces can operate in Haiti. Mr. Sing’Oei said the High Court provided a legal pathway for the deployment, namely the bilateral reciprocal arrangement with Haiti. But he said the government was appealing the decision to a higher court anyway to seek clarifications on some findings the government “finds problematic.”

Persons: Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, Sing’Oei, Kenya’s Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, New York Times, Kenyan Locations: Haiti, Caribbean, Kenya

☆ HBO is recasting a 'White Lotus' role after Ukraine accused the actor of supporting Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

HBO said Friday it would be recasting a "White Lotus" role held by Serbian actor Miloš Biković. The Ukrainian government accused Biković of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. In a statement, Biković pushed back, saying he could "never wish such devastation on anyone." "We have decided to part ways with Miloš Biković and the role will be recast," an HBO spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Miloš Biković, Biković, — Organizations: HBO, Service, Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Business Locations: Serbian, Ukraine

☆ Ukraine claims newly-hired 'White Lotus' actor supports 'genocide' by Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Miloš Biković, a Serbian actor, was recently cast on Season 3 of White Lotus. The Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the actor of supporting the war in Russia. AdvertisementMAX is being called out by Ukraine for a recent casting decision on its hit show "White Lotus." The Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Serbian actor Miloš Biković — who has been linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin — of supporting the war in Ukraine. "Miloš Biković, Serbian actor who has been supporting Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, is now set to star in HBO's The White Lotus Season 3," the foreign ministry wrote on X on Wednesday. "

Persons: Miloš, White, Biković, Vladimir Putin, —, Miloš Biković —, Putin Organizations: Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Service, Max, Business, Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Serbian Locations: Serbian, Russia, Ukraine, Thailand, Russian

CNN —Unidentified gunmen killed nine Pakistani workers in the restive southeastern border region of Iran, Pakistani officials say, just over a week after Iran and Pakistan carried out military strikes on each other’s territory. No group or individuals have taken responsibility for the attack, in the city of Saravan, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency. “Embassy will extend full support to bereaved families.”“We called upon [Iran] to extend full cooperation in the matter,” he added. Last week, Pakistan and Iran carried out tit-for-tat strikes on militants on each other’s soil in a major escalation of tension between the two sides. Both nations have long fought militants in the restive Baloch region along the border.

Persons: “, ”, Muhammad Mudassir Tipi, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “, Nasser Kanani, Kanani, Pakistan “ Organizations: CNN, Mehr News Agency, Pakistan’s, “, Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Iran, Pakistan, Saravan, Balochistan, Sistan, Baluchestan, restive Baloch

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicIt’s an old truism that Americans don’t care about foreign policy when it’s time to cast their ballots. But with the crisis in Gaza, a prolonged conflict in Ukraine and a trade war brewing with China, could 2024 be the year that American voters finally care about what’s going on beyond the water’s edge? The “Matter of Opinion” hosts take a look at the importance (or lack thereof) of foreign affairs in American elections. Plus, Lydia Polgreen recommends a film Oscar nominations were wrong to skip. (A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.)

Persons: Lydia Polgreen Organizations: Spotify, Times Locations: Gaza, Ukraine, China

☆ Pakistan launches strikes inside Iran against militant targets
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Pakistan said on January 18 it had carried out strikes against militant targets in Iran, after Tehran launched attacks on Pakistani territory earlier this week. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)Pakistan conducted strikes inside Iran on Thursday, targeting separatist militants, the Pakistani foreign ministry said, two days after Tehran said it attacked Israel-linked militant bases inside Pakistani territory. "Our forces have conducted strikes to target Baloch militants inside Iran," the intelligence official in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, said. Iran said on Tuesday it had targeted Israel-linked militant bases inside Pakistan. Pakistan and Iran have in the past had rocky relations, but the strikes are the highest-profile cross-border intrusion in recent years.

Persons: Aamir QURESHI, AAMIR QURESHI, hideouts Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AFP, Getty Images, Reuters, Pakistan's, Wednesday Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, Iran, Tehran, Israel, Sistan, Baluchistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Balochistan, Pakistan's Balochistan

☆ Ukraine dismisses Trump-Putin relationship, brushes off U.S. election fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Vicky Mckeever | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba attends a joint briefing with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Hanke Bruins Slot. Kuleba said: "So do I believe there is a potential for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and Trump to agree on something behind Ukraine's back if Trump becomes president? He added that Trump was also the "first to sell lethal weapons to the Ukraine." The U.S. administration continues to push for further funding in Congress to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, which began in Feb. 2022. The U.S. has been a staunch ally of Ukraine throughout the war, supplying more than $75 billion in humanitarian, military and financial support.

Persons: Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, Dmytro Kuleba, Donald Trump, Kuleba, Vladimir, Putin, Trump, Ukraine's, Steve Sedgwick, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden, Washington's, Joe Biden's Organizations: Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, Bruins, Publishing, Ukraine's, CNBC, Economic, Trump, Republican Party, Ukraine, House Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Davos, Russia, Europe, America, U.S

☆ The Houthis are not receiving any orders or instructions from us, Iran's foreign minister says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe Houthis are not receiving any orders or instructions from us, Iran's foreign minister saysHossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's minister of foreign affairs, discusses the escalation of tensions in the Red Sea.

Persons: Hossein Amir Locations: Red

☆ Israel will allow more aid into Gaza in exchange for medicine deliveries to hostages, Qatar says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hostages will receive medicine while more aid will be allowed into the besieged Gaza strip, Qatar says. AdvertisementIsrael will allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza in exchange for medicine to be delivered to over 40 of the hostages, Qatar and France announced Tuesday. The medications will be transported from Qatar to Egypt on Wednesday to prepare for transport into the Gaza Strip, per Qatar's MFA. The families of said hostages have repeatedly demanded that medical aid be provided to their loved ones. Human rights groups and UN experts say that Israel is withholding food and medical aid during the conflict.

Persons: —, Axios Organizations: Service, France, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CNN, IDF, Reuters, UN, Resources Locations: Qatar, France, Israel, Gaza, Egypt

☆ The Humiliation of Davos Man
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Walter Russell Mead | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Walter Russell Mead is the Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, the Global View Columnist at The Wall Street Journal and the James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College in New York. He is also a member of Aspen Institute Italy and board member of Aspenia. Before joining Hudson, Mr. Mead was a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations as the Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy. He has authored numerous books, including the widely-recognized Special Providence: American Foreign Policy and How It Changed the World (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004). Mr. Mead’s next book is entitled The Arc of A Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Future of the Jewish People.

Persons: Walter Russell Mead, Curry, James Clarke Chace, Mead, Henry A, Alfred A ., Mead’s Organizations: Hudson Institute, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, Humanities, Bard College, Aspen Institute, Hudson, Council, Foreign Relations, Kissinger, U.S . Foreign, Providence, Alfred A . Knopf, Jewish People Locations: New York, Aspen Institute Italy, United States, Israel

☆ Israel and Hamas have agreed deal on medicine for hostages, aid to Gaza, Qatar says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Qatar says it has brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas that will see medicines delivered to Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for the delivery of medicine and humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. The medications and aid will leave Doha on Wednesday and head to Egypt before being transported to Gaza, the ministry added. The medicine is destined for more than 40 hostages thought by Israel to need it, according to the official, who also said that Hamas only agreed to the deal if more medicine was sent to hospitals and Palestinians in Gaza. Throughout the war, Israel has allowed a limited amount of aid and medicines to enter Gaza but far more is needed, humanitarian groups say. The United Nations has complained that Israel has been rejecting missions to deliver supplies to northern Gaza.

Persons: Menahem Kahana, David Barnea, Cross Organizations: CNN, Hamas, “, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Doha, Getty, of Health, UNICEF, Al, Aqsa, Prime Minister’s, International Committee, United Nations, UN Locations: Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Egypt, Israeli, AFP, British, Qatari

☆ Qatar says it has brokered a deal between Israel and Hamas to allow medicine to reach hostages.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Adam Rasgon | More About Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israel and Hamas have reached a deal that would allow medications to be delivered to Israeli hostages in return for additional medicine and aid for Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, officials said, marking a significant breakthrough in the indirect talks between the warring sides. The agreement was announced on Tuesday by Qatar, who have served as a mediator. A Hamas official, Basem Naim, later confirmed the agreement, and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said a deal had been reached to send medicine to the hostages. More than 120 hostages have been held in Gaza since Oct. 7, and many have health conditions that require regular medical care, including cancer and diabetes. Their families have grown increasingly concerned as the war entered its fourth month and as hostages released in late November have shared harrowing accounts of their captivity.

Persons: Basem Naim, Benjamin Netanyahu, Majed bin Mohammed al, Ansari Organizations: Hamas, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Doha Locations: Israel, Gaza, Qatar, France, El Arish, Egypt

☆ Mental Strain, Deepening Risks as Israel's War With Hamas Reaches 100 Days
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

In a statement marking the 100 days, the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs accused Israel of creating "a circle of death" in Gaza. Yet that offers little comfort to the tens of thousands who have lost relatives to the bombardment. Israel's main enemy Iran, which backs Hamas, has taunted Israel but has so far refrained from direct action and Hezbollah, its proxy in Lebanon, has taken care to avoid an all-out confrontation. "We are continuing the war until the end - until total victory," he said on Saturday at a news conference to mark the 100 days of the war. (Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Nidal al Mughrabi in Doha, Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)

Persons: James Mackenzie JERUSALEM, Rebecca Brindza, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, Israel, Khaled Abu Aweidah, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Netanyahu, Moran Stella Yanai, Ali Sawafta, Nidal al Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: U.S, International Court of Justice, West Bank, Nova Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington, Israel's, Africa, United States, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Red, Ramallah, Doha, Maayan, Jerusalem

Earlier in a statement from the Ukrainian presidency, Yermak said a simple cease-fire wouldn't end Russia's "aggression” on Ukraine: “It’s definitely not the path to peace. “Peace is something that Ukraine needs,” he said during a break in the talks Sunday. He said that the purpose of the talks was to get ready for the moment when Russia might join a peace discussion. He said that neither Ukraine nor Russia was ready to make territorial concessions. “The war is far from over and peace is still nowhere in sight," the Swiss department of foreign affairs said in a statement previewing Sunday's talks.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy, Yermak, —, “, ”, “ It’s, Ignazio Cassis, Moscow isn't, Cassis, hasn't, that's, ” Cassis Organizations: —, Kyiv, Swiss Locations: DAVOS, Switzerland, Russia, Swiss, Davos, Ukrainian, Europe, Asia, Africa, Ukraine, Moscow, “, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Malta, russia, ukraine

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