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☆ Israeli Forces Will Move Into Rafah, Cease-Fire Deal or Not, Netanyahu Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Thomas Fuller | Isabel Kershner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli forces would push into the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah regardless of the outcome of talks to pause the fighting that appear to have been making some progress in recent days. “It has to be done,” the Israeli prime minister said. “Because total victory is our goal, and total victory is within reach.”Mr. Netanyahu did say that if a cease-fire deal was reached, the move into Rafah, which during 20 weeks of war has served as a last refuge for hundreds of thousands of Gazan families forced from their homes, would be “delayed somewhat.”The push toward Rafah has drawn warnings from Israel’s closest ally, the United States, because of the potential for mass civilian casualties beyond the nearly 30,000 Gazans who have already been reported killed in the war, more than half of whom are women and children.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr, Netanyahu Organizations: Sunday Locations: Gaza, Rafah, United States

☆ White House seeks Israel-Hamas hostage deal in 'coming days' — Netanyahu says 'it's too soon to say'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday tempered expectations about the timeline of a potential hostage deal with Hamas, while the White House expressed hope for an agreement to take shape in the coming days. It's too soon to say if they've abandoned them," Netanyahu said on CBS' "Face the Nation." Progress on the new deal gave the White House renewed hope that a final agreement could emerge as soon as this week. Netanyahu said that while he hopes the hostage deal can come to fruition, Israel is planning military operations in the event that the agreement falls through. He said that the hostage deal, and the accompanying temporary ceasefire, would delay the Rafah attack.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, It's, they've, Netanyahu, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Ministry of Defence, Hamas, CBS, White, Union, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, They're, Paris, Egypt, Qatar, U.S, Rafah

☆ US says ‘understanding’ reached at Gaza hostage talks but negotiations continue
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Camila Dechalus | Sam Fossum | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Negotiators have come to an “understanding” on the broad contours of a potential deal to release hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN Sunday. An Israeli delegation, including Mossad director David Barnea, joined talks with CIA director Bill Burns and Egyptian and Qatar negotiators in Paris on Friday. Qatar and Egypt serve as intermediaries between Hamas and Israel, which do not talk directly to each other. Crucially, Hamas has not yet signed onto this possible framework and any possible final deal is still, at the earliest, days away as negotiators continue to hammer out the actual details. But we will have to wait and see.”When pressed by Bash on how hopeful he was about a potential deal, Sullivan declined to weigh in: “There’s been a lot of to’ing and fro’ing.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, David Barnea, Bill Burns, I’m, ” Sullivan, CNN’s Dana, Bash, Sullivan, “, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ”, they’ve Organizations: CNN, National, CNN Sunday, CIA, Qatar, Union, Israeli, Fox News Locations: Gaza, Paris, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, United States, ‘ State

☆ Beto O'Rourke backs campaign for Michigan Democratic primary voters to vote 'uncommitted' over Biden's handling of Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Beto O'Rourke is backing a push for Michigan Democrats to vote "uncommitted" in the February 27 primary. Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas is endorsing a push for voters in the upcoming Michigan Democratic presidential primary to select "uncommitted" if they're dissatisfied with President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. AdvertisementMichigan's Democratic presidential primary will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27. We should have a cease-fire … there should be an end to this war and there should be a negotiated solution to Palestinian statehood," O'Rourke told the outlet. "For whatever legitimate concerns people have about President Biden's response to the war in Gaza, we do know for a fact that, under President Trump, it would be much worse."

Persons: Beto O'Rourke, O'Rourke, Joe Biden's, Biden, Rashida Tlaib, Andy Levin, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, Hammoud, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Biden's, Trump, he's, Netanyahu Organizations: Michigan Democrats, Texas, Michigan Democratic, Michigan Advance, Democratic, Texas Democratic, Rep, Dearborn Mayor, New York Times, Advance, Trump, Michigan, Arab American, Biden Locations: Michigan, Israel, Gaza, United States, American, Dearborn, Detroit

☆ Israeli officials to meet on proposed pause in Gaza while Cabinet is set to approve plan for Rafah
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a Cabinet meeting at the Kirya, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Defence, in Tel Aviv, Israel on December 17, 2023. Israeli officials will meet Saturday night on the next steps after the latest talks with the United States, Egypt and Qatar in search of a deal on pausing the fighting in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. But Netanyahu announced that he'll convene the Cabinet early next week to "to approve the operational plans for action in Rafah," including the evacuation of civilians. He said that both sides agreed to continue negotiations during the pause for further releases and a permanent cease-fire. Negotiators face an unofficial deadline of the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan around March 10.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, he'll, Osama Hamdan, Israel Organizations: Ministry of Defence Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, United States, Egypt, Qatar, Gaza, Israeli, Rafah, Beirut

☆ Netanyahu unveils plan for Gaza’s future post-Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Richard Allen Greene | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Jerusalem CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a plan for the Gaza’s future post-Hamas, which includes the “complete demilitarization” of the enclave, closing off the territory’s southern border with Egypt, as well as the overhaul of Gaza’s civil administration and education systems. CNN has obtained a copy of the plan, which Netanyahu presented to members of Israel’s security cabinet Thursday night. On the security file, the envisioned plan includes Israel closing off Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, giving Israel complete control of entry and exit from the enclave. Yahya Hassouna/AFP/Getty ImagesOn the civil level, Netanyahu details an overhaul of Gaza’s civil administration and education systems, including an apparent cut-off of funding from Qatar to Gaza – which a previous Netanyahu government approved and facilitated. The Netanyahu plan also calls for “de-radicalization” in the education system, which Israel and its allies have long accused of promoting antisemitism and hatred of Israel.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, David Barnea, “, Yahya Hassouna, Joe Biden, “ Israel, ” Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Israeli, CNN, West Bank, Israel, Palestinian Authority, United Nations Locations: Jerusalem, Egypt, Paris, Gaza, Israel, Gaza’s, Rafah, United States, Jordan, ”, East Jerusalem, Gaza City, AFP, Qatar, Palestinian, United Kingdom

☆ Netanyahu's first post-war plan seeks security buffer in Gaza — in blow to U.S. diplomacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as the US Secretary of State gives statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Defence Ministry, after their meeting in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023. He is expected to visit Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington closes ranks with its ally that has launched a withering air campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed his first official plan for the post-war future of the Gaza Strip, calling for Israel's ongoing military presence in the enclave and for the preservation of a security buffer zone — a step antithetical to the wishes of closely-allied Washington. In the intermediate term, Israel wishes to "maintain its operational freedom of action in the entire Gaza Strip, without a time limit," as well as to retain a security buffer within the besieged territory. "The security perimeter being created in the Gaza Strip on the border with Israel will remain as long as there is a security need for it," the document says.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken, Netanyahu, Israel, Matt Miller, Israel — Organizations: Israeli Defence Ministry, Washington, Hamas, NBC News, Gaza, U.S . State Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, AFP, Gaza, Washington, Palestinian, U.S, Egypt

☆ Israel’s war cabinet agrees to send a negotiating team to Paris for hostage talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Tel Aviv CNN —Israel’s war cabinet has agreed to send a negotiating team, led by Mossad Director David Barnea, to Paris on Friday to pursue talks over a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal, an Israeli official said. The negotiating team is expected to be empowered to engage in substantive negotiations rather than simply listening to proposals as they did during meetings in Cairo last week, the official said. The full Israeli cabinet is expected to vote on the matter overnight to give final approval for the trip. The decision came during a war cabinet meeting Thursday night, at the end of a day that saw US President Joe Biden’s Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk meet with top Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. That proof, combined with positive indications from talks in Cairo on Wednesday and prodding from US officials, ultimately triggered the Israeli agreement to send a negotiating team to Paris.

Persons: Tel Aviv CNN —, David Barnea, Bill Burns, Joe Biden’s, Brett McGurk, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Ramadan Organizations: Tel, Tel Aviv CNN, CIA, Qatari, CNN, Paris Locations: Tel Aviv, Paris, Cairo, Gaza, Israel

☆ 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

☆ Israel’s Druze Arabs, fiercely loyal to the state, feel let down after ‘paying with their blood’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Lianne Kolirin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

About a million-strong, the global Druze community is largely spread across Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Some 130,000 Israeli Druze live in the Carmel and Galilee in the country’s north. There have been rumblings of discontent since 2018, when tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv to protest Israel’s controversial “nation-state” law. “The (nation-state) law didn’t affect our identity – it affected our sense of belonging,” he said in a video call with CNN. “The Druze community has no dream to have a country – we don’t want it, we don’t believe in it.

Persons: Alim Abdallah, Abdallah, we’d, ” Abdallah’s, Mona, Mona Abdallah Saad, “, ” Mona, ”, Alim Abdallah Saad, Adam, Maya, ” Abdallah, CNN hasn’t, Col, Salman Habaka, Be’eri, Habaka, Gadeer Kamal, Kamal, ‘ I’m, I’m, ’, Corinna Kern, Anwar Saab, It’s, Omri Eilat, Ariel Schalit, Benny Gantz, Bejamin Netanyahu, Bibi –, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, 300th Baram Regional Brigade, Washington DC, Jewish Agency for, Reuters ‘, Saab, University of Haifa, Druze Heritage Center, National Unity, Israeli Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Yanuh, Lebanese, Syria, Carmel, Galilee, Golan, Egypt, Israel’s, Hala, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Druze, Washington, Jewish Agency for Israel, Iran, Isfiya, Yanuh Jat

CNN —United Nations experts have called for an investigation into what they described as “credible allegations of egregious human rights violations” against Palestinian women and girls in Gaza and the West Bank by Israeli forces. 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 released on Monday. UN experts said they had heard reports of "multiple forms of sexual assault" against Palestinian women and girls. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images/File“Many [Palestinian women and girls] have reportedly been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment, denied menstruation pads, food and medicine, and severely beaten,” the statement said. Responding on Monday to the UN experts’ call for an investigation, Israel again accused the UN of remaining “silent on the horrific sexual violence and gender-based violence perpetrated by Hamas on and since October 7.”

Persons: “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Fabrice Coffrini, ”, –, Israel Organizations: CNN — United Nations, West Bank, UN, Human, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, Getty, Hamas, ” CNN, Nova Locations: Gaza, Geneva, AFP, Israel

☆ Israel to Set Security Limits on Ramadan Prayers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa, Netanyahu Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he had made a "balanced decision" to allow freedom of worship at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan, but that access would be limited according to security needs. Asked about the possibility of blocking access for Israeli Muslims to Al Aqsa, a flashpoint prayer site in Jerusalem's Old City, Netanyahu's office said: "The prime minister made a balanced decision to allow freedom of worship within the security needs determined by professionals." It gave no details. Israel often sets limits on which worshippers can reach the prayer site - for example based on age - in order to avoid violence from erupting at the site, which is part of a compound also holy in Judaism. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 Images(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by James Mackenzie)

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Ari Rabinovitch, James Mackenzie Locations: JERUSALEM, Jerusalem's Al Aqsa, Al Aqsa, Jerusalem's Old City, Israel, Gaza

☆ Israeli minister says ground offensive in Rafah will begin by Ramadan if hostages aren’t returned
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Mohammed Tawfeeq | Lauren Izso | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Israel will expand military operations in the southernmost Gazan city of Rafah if hostages held by Hamas are not returned by the start of Ramadan, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has warned. Israel believes that 130 hostages remain in Gaza – 101 alive and 29 dead – following Hamas’ October 7 attacks, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel. The comments come amid stuttering talks aimed at securing the release of hostages and a longer-term ceasefire in Gaza. Egypt’s security buildup comes amid fears of the war spilling over into its territory should Israel begin its operation in Rafah. The Israeli military said it had credible evidence that Hamas had previously held hostages at the hospital, and that the bodies of deceased hostages may be at the medical complex.

Persons: CNN —, Benny Gantz, Ramadan, ” Gantz, “, Israel, ’, Israel’s, Israel –, Benjamin Netanyahu, Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Martin Griffiths, Sameh Shoukry, ” Shoukry, Abed Rahim Khatib Organizations: CNN, Hamas, United Nations, Sunday, Sky News, Anadolu, Getty, Hospital Locations: CNN — Israel, Gazan, Rafah, Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, “, Nasser, Khan, United States, ”, Egypt

☆ Israel strikes across Gaza as the U.S. says it will block another cease-fire resolution at the UN
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Celal Gunes | Anadolu | Getty ImagesIsraeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 18 people overnight and into Sunday, according to medics and witnesses, as the United States said it would veto another draft U.N. cease-fire resolution. The U.S., Israel's top ally, instead hopes to broker a cease-fire agreement and hostage release between Israel and Hamas, and envisions a wider resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said there are still about 200 patients in the hospital, including 20 who need urgent referrals to other hospitals. Israel says it has arrested over 100 suspected militants, including 20 who it says participated in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, without providing evidence. He also said Israel has not presented specific evidence for its claims that Hamas is diverting U.N. aid.

Persons: Celal, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Khan Younis, Sayed, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Ashraf al, David Satterfield Organizations: Cannon, Washington DC, Anadolu, Getty, Hamas, World Health Organization, Nasser Hospital, Associated Press, UN, WHO, Nasser, Gaza Health Ministry, Health Ministry, U.S . Middle Locations: Union, Gaza, Washington, United States, U.S, Israel, Israeli, Palestinian, Rafah, Gaza City

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote Tuesday on an Arab-backed resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which the United States announced it will veto. Algeria, the Arab representative on the council, put the draft resolution in a final form that can be voted on. Council diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly, said the vote will take place Tuesday morning. “For that reason, the United States does not support action on this draft resolution. The Security Council has adopted two resolutions on Gaza, with the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, abstaining on both.

Persons: Israel, “, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Tunisia’s U.N, Tarek Ladeb, U.N, Netanyahu, Israel hasn’t, Israel’s Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, . Security, The Associated Press, Qatar, United Nations, Gaza Health Ministry, Arab, Security, U.S Locations: Gaza, United States, Algeria, Israel, Gaza . U.S, Egypt, Qatar, Rafah

☆ Israel to summon Brazilian ambassador after President Lula likens Israel’s actions in Gaza to Holocaust
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Chris Liakos | Duarte Mendonca | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Israel said Sunday it is summoning the Brazilian ambassador to the country over what it says were “shameful and serious” remarks by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Speaking earlier Sunday in Addis Ababa at the African Union summit, Lula called what is happening in the Gaza Strip a “genocide.”“What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in history. Israel has said its goal is to completely eliminate Hamas after they attacked Israel on October 7. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also posted on X saying, “No one will harm Israel’s right to defend itself. I have ordered the people of my office to summon the Brazilian ambassador for a reprimand call tomorrow.”Lula also made comments about the death of Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny.

Persons: CNN — Israel, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Hitler, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ trivializing, “ Israel, Israel Katz, “, ” Lula, Alexey Navalny, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, Sunday, Nazi, Reuters Locations: Israel, Addis Ababa, Gaza, Brazilian, Russian

☆ Jimmy Carter’s spirit ‘as strong as ever’ after year in hospice, grandson says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Aileen Graef | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —As former President Jimmy Carter marked one year in hospice care on Sunday, his family celebrated his resolve and expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received. He entered hospice care in February 2023 after a series of hospital stays. There is no time limit on how long a person can receive hospice care. “One year after entering hospice care, President Carter continues to be at home with his family. The Carter Family is grateful for the many expressions of love they have received and the continued respect for their privacy during this time,” the Carter family said in a statement Sunday.

Persons: Jimmy Carter, they’ve, ” Jason Carter, Jimmy Carter’s, Carter, “, ”, Rosalynn Carter, Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin, CNN’s Carma Hassan, Erica Henry, Michelle Shen, Keith Allen, Julia Manchester Organizations: CNN, CBS, Accords, Israeli, Democrat, Carter Locations: Georgia, United States, Cuba, Sudan, North Korea, Guinea

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Chris Lau | Andrew Raine | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Displaced Palestinians in Gaza’s southernmost Rafah city are reportedly fleeing towards northern Deir al Balah as Israeli airstrikes intensify amid the prospect of ground operations, according to a UN body. “Intensified airstrikes on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population are crammed into less than 20 per cent of the Gaza Strip, and statements by Israeli officials about a ground operation in Gaza have reportedly led to the movement of people out of Gaza’s southernmost governorate toward Deir al Balah,” said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Earlier on Friday, former Israeli prime minister and current war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said Israel “won’t stop” until all hostages are returned, even if that means continuing hostilities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He added that Israel is preparing for a military incursion into Gaza and will act “in dialogue” with its partners, including Egypt, and “direct the population to protected areas.”In a separate statement on Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told reporters that Israel had “no intention” of sending Palestinians into Egypt as part of an evacuation of Rafah, the focus of its next military offensive. Gallant provided no details about a potential evacuation but said “we are thoroughly planning future operations in Rafah, which is a significant Hamas stronghold.”Israeli officials have said the military is working on a detailed plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah ahead of a planned offensive there but have yet to share details.

Persons: Balah, “, Deir al Balah, ”, Benny Gantz, Israel “, Yoav Gallant, Israel, Gallant Organizations: UN, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, Israeli Locations: Gaza’s, Rafah, Deir, Gaza, Israel, Egypt

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron says recognizing a Palestinian state is not a ‘’taboo’’ for France, as international frustration grows with Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories. France and the EU have long supported a two-state solution in the Mideast, but as part of a negotiated settlement. With talks long stalled and Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza deepening, some European countries are voicing support for recognizing a Palestinian state sooner. ‘’Recognizing a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France,’’ Macron said Friday at a meeting in Paris with Jordan’s King Abdullah. A move by some of Israel’s key allies to recognize a Palestinian state could put pressure on Israel to resume negotiations.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, ’ ’ Macron, Jordan’s King Abdullah, ‘, ”, David Cameron, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: PARIS, —, EU, Hamas, . Security, “, Security, ” Britain’s Locations: France, Palestinian, Gaza, Paris, Jordan, Europe, Rafah, Egypt, Israeli, Israel

☆ In the West Bank, an independent Palestine remains a distant dream
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Ramallah and Jerusalem CNN —The world is once again talking about a Palestinian state. Under the Oslo Accords peace agreement, the West Bank has been split into three distinct areas, depending on who is in charge. Israel has full administrative and security control over 60% of the West Bank area, which it continues settling its citizens in. Earlier this month, Biden issued an executive order imposing sanctions on four settlers accused of directly perpetrating violence or intimidation in the West Bank. It was largely here that the plans for a future Palestinian state and its institutions were drawn up.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Khalil Shikaki, ”, Ivana Kottasova, “, Israel, –, Biden, CNN Diana Buttu, , it’s, Buttu, ” Buttu, “ We’re, Jo Shelley, Shikaki, Sojoud, Mahmoud Abbas, ” Shikaki, Adnan Joulani, David, Cameron Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Palestinian Center, Policy, Survey Research, CNN, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Orient House, Palestine Liberation Organization, Israel, International Court of Justice, Oslo Accords, Fatah, PLO, Israeli Police, Palestinian, Society, International Affairs, British Locations: Ramallah, Jerusalem, Palestinian, Israel, United States, Palestine, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Oslo, South Africa, Old City, Orient

Munich, Germany CNN —Hamas’s demands for a hostage deal are “delusional” and need to be “close to reality,” Israel’s Coordinator for the Captives and the Missing, Gal Hirsch, told CNN Saturday. But Hamas’s demands are disconnected from reality - delusional,” the former Israel Defense Forces commander said in an interview with CNN’s Alex Marquardt at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. He suggested that, though Israel and Hamas had previously agreed on a deal to supply medication to Israeli hostages, the hostages did not receive this medication. Hamas will be dismantled, but we would like very much to make a deal and to bring our hostages back home. “They wanted very much to break the potential deal just as they did in the previous one,” he suggested.

Persons: Germany CNN —, ”, Gal Hirsch, CNN’s Alex Marquardt, counteroffer, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Hirsch, ” Hirsch, Khan Younis, “, Martin Meissner, Marquardt, Deir al Balah Organizations: Germany CNN, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Munich, Israeli, Minister’s, Hamas, Nasser, IDF, UN Locations: Munich, Germany, Gaza, Israel, Israel’s, Khan, The Hague, Netherlands, Rafah, Deir al

☆ Egypt is building a new walled buffer zone more than 2 miles wide on Gaza border, satellite images show
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Paul P. Murphy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

If the buffer zone — which stretches from the end of the Gaza border to the Mediterranean Sea — is completed, it will completely engulf the Egyptian-Rafah border crossing complex. Additional satellite imagery reviewed by CNN shows that bulldozers arrived on site on February 3, and the initial excavation of the buffer zone began on February 6. CNN has reached out to the Egyptian government for comment on the buffer zone and wall construction. This satellite image from Maxar Technologies shows Egypt building a massive miles-wide buffer zone, and border wall, along its border with Gaza. Israel has been accused of constructing its own buffer zone, but within Gaza, which would effectively shrink the enclave’s borders.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ’, Peter Lerner, Rajaa Musleh, “, ” Musleh, Fabrizio Carboni, Israel’s, Gazans, Israel, Netanyahu, Volker Türk, ”, ” Türk Organizations: CNN, Maxar Technologies, Sinai Foundation, Human Rights, Gaza Maxar Technologies, Israel Defense Forces, International Committee, Red Cross, New Zealand, UN, Human, IDF Locations: Egypt, Gaza, Rafah, Egypt’s, Gazan, Israel, Australia, Canada, New, North Sinai

☆ Egypt Setting up Area at Gaza Border Which Could Be Used to Shelter Palestinians-Sources
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

One of the sources said Egypt was optimistic talks to clinch a ceasefire can avoid any such scenario, but is establishing the area at the border as a temporary and precautionary measure. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 ImagesThree security sources said Egypt had begun preparing a desert area with some basic facilities which could be used to shelter Palestinians, emphasising this was a contingency step. Israel has said its army is drawing up a plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah to other parts of the Gaza Strip. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said: "The president has been clear that we do not support the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. The Gaza war has piled pressure on relations between Egypt and Israel, which signed a peace deal in 1979.

Persons: Jordan, Martin Griffiths, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Avi Dichter, Dichter, Al Mawasi, General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Sameh Shoukry, Tom Perry, Edmund Blair, Neil Fullick Organizations: Reuters, United, Egypt's, Service, Sinai Foundation, Human Rights, Israeli, U.S . State Department, ABC News, Israel's Army, Arab League Locations: Egypt, Gaza, Rafah, Cairo, Sinai, United States, Israel, ISRAEL, U.S, The U.S, Jordan

☆ Egypt setting up area at Gaza border which could be used to shelter Palestinians, Reuters reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Israel has said its army is drawing up a plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah to other parts of the Gaza Strip. Israel has said it will mount an offensive to take out Hamas's "last bastion" in Rafah, where well over 1 million Palestinians have sought sanctuary from its devastating Gaza offensive. Three security sources said Egypt had begun preparing a desert area with some basic facilities which could be used to shelter Palestinians, emphasizing this was a contingency step. The United States has repeatedly said it would oppose any displacement of Palestinians out of Gaza. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said: "The president has been clear that we do not support the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

Persons: Khan, Israel, Martin Griffiths, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Palestinian Hamas, United, Egypt's, Service, Sinai Foundation, Human Rights, Reuters, Israeli, U.S . State Department Locations: Khan Yunis, Rafah, Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Palestinian, United States, Sinai, Cairo, Jordan, U.S, The U.S

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Israeli jets strike Lebanon after rocket fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a media conference in Tel Aviv on October 12, 2023. Jacquelyn Martin/AFP/Getty ImagesIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday reiterated his intention to order concerted military operations in Rafah, vowing that his country will fight “until the absolutely victory.”Netanyahu said “powerful action” would come in the southern Gazan city after the evacuation of civilians from "battle zones." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned Israel's planned ground offensive, saying it would create a "humanitarian catastrophe.”It comes as the Israeli military said Wednesday that it has struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, as the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff warned of an ongoing offensive against targets in the neighboring country. The strikes follow an earlier deadly rocket attack from Lebanon on a northern Israeli city. Here are the latest headlines:

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Jacquelyn Martin, “, ” Netanyahu, Annalena Baerbock, Israel's Organizations: Getty, Israel's, Red Cross, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Tel Aviv, AFP, Rafah, Gazan, Israel, Lebanon, Israeli

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