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☆ Qatar: How a small Arab state became indispensable in talks with Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But some have said that Qatar’s relationship with Hamas may become a liability. “(Qatar’s) relationship with Hamas has been a key component of the mediation strategy,” said Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at King’s College London who focuses on Gulf states. What is the nature of Qatar’s relationship with Hamas? That relationship has made Qatar an important mediator with Hamas during its conflicts with Israel. Despite its mediation efforts, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen last week accused Qatar of financing Hamas and harboring its leaders.

Persons: ”, Andreas Krieg, “, David Barnea, –, Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, ” Hanegbi, Biden, ” Krieg, Majed Al, Ansari, Krieg, ” Hiltermann, Eli Cohen, ” Cohen, Antony Blinken, Joost R, Hiltermann, Qatar’s coziness, Hamas’s, “ You’ll, ” Israel, Becky Anderson, Ibrahim Dahman, Hamdi Alkhshali, Aimee Look, Abu Dhabi Organizations: UAE CNN, Qatar, King’s College London, Israel, CNN, National Security, United Arab, Reuters, NATO, Doha, Al, Hamas, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US, UN, Washington Post, Qatari, “, Group Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Egypt, United States, Rafah, Al, Arish, Washington, Hamas, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Doha, Western, Arab, Al Jazeera, Tehran, Afghanistan, “ Qatar, North Africa, Brussels, “, Atlanta, Abu

☆ Exclusive: Law firm tied to bankruptcy judge resignation did not make conflict disclosures -data analysis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Tom Hals | Thomson Reuters | Tom Hals Is An Award-Winning Reporter With Years Of Experience Working In Asia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Freeman also worked as a contract lawyer for Jackson Walker after leaving the firm. Jones and Jackson Walker signed off on the arrangement without disclosing the relationship, court papers show. Until then he was the busiest bankruptcy judge in the United States, overseeing the dissolution or restructuring of corporate titans ranging from Neiman Marcus to J.C. Penney. Bankruptcy judges often serve as mediators in complex cases that are being run by other judges. In the GWG bankruptcy, Jackson Walker on Nov. 30 asked the judge overseeing the case to appoint Jones as mediator.

Persons: David Jones, Jones, Jackson Walker, Elizabeth Freeman, Freeman, Neiman Marcus, J.C, Tom Kirkendall, Jackson, Debtwire, Tehum, Bruce Markell, Tom Hals, Dietrich Knauth, Alexia Garamfalvi, Amy Stevens, Grant McCool Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Staff, McDermott International, Houston, GWG Holdings, Wall Street, U.S, Circuit, Appeals, U.S . Department of, Tehum Care Services, Corizon, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Houston , Texas, U.S, WILMINGTON , Delaware, Texas, Houston, United States, Penney, GWG, Wilmington , Delaware, New York

☆ $23,500 in Coins to Pay a Settlement? Judge Says Keep the Change and Try Again
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Amanda Holpuch | More About Amanda Holpuch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters might be legal tender but more than 6,500 pounds of loose change is not a proper form of payment, a Colorado judge ruled last week after a defendant attempted to deliver $23,500 in coins to settle a legal dispute. The judge, Joseph Findley, of Larimer County, said that the delivery of more than three tons was done “maliciously and in bad faith,” and that the defendant, a welding company, must now pay more for its act. The welding company, JMF Enterprises LLC, and its owner John Frank, were sued by a custom fabrication company, Fired Up Fabrication LLC, which said it worked as a subcontractor for JMF Enterprises but did not get paid in full. The companies agreed in mediation to the settlement but the agreement did not specify the form of payment, according to Judge Findley’s order.

Persons: Joseph Findley, “, John Frank, Findley’s Organizations: JMF Enterprises Locations: Colorado, Larimer County

☆ Qatar-led negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue, source says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An explosion is seen on the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from the Israeli side, October 27, 2023. REUTERS TV via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsDOHA/JERUSALEM, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Qatar-mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at de-escalating fighting in Gaza continued on Saturday, a source briefed on the negotiations said, even as Israel intensified its assault on the enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that efforts to secure the hostages' release will continue even during the Gaza ground offensive. Earlier, the armed wing of Hamas said it had been close to reaching an agreement with Israel over the hostages, but Israel had "stalled" on that possibility. Qatari envoys have previously helped mediate truces between the Islamist group and Israel.

Persons: Israel, Gaza's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Abu Ubaida, Deen al, Andrew Mills, Emily Rose, Hatem Maher, Enas, David Evans, Andrew Cawthorne, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Brigades, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Rights DOHA, JERUSALEM, Qatar, Doha, Jerusalem, Cairo

☆ Qatar-Led Negotiations Between Israel and Hamas Continue - Source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Qatar-mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at de-escalating fighting in Gaza continued on Saturday, a source briefed on the negotiations said, even as Israel intensified its assault on the enclave. Talks have not broken down, but are taking place at a "much slower pace" than before the escalation from Friday evening, the source told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of negotiations. Qatar has been conducting behind-the-scenes diplomacy for more than three weeks, speaking to Hamas officials and Israel to promote peace and secure the release of hostages. Its mediation last week led to the release of two American hostages, a mother and daughter, and two elderly Israeli women. Israel says 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed during the Islamist group's raid and 224 hostages were captured, many with foreign passports from 25 different countries.

Persons: Israel, Gaza's, David Evans Organizations: Reuters, Dubai Locations: Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Doha

A group of poultry producers, including the world’s largest, have asked a federal judge to dismiss his ruling that they polluted an Oklahoma watershed. Arkansas-based Tyson Foods, Minnesota-based Cargill Inc. and the others say in a motion filed Thursday that evidence in the case is now more than 13 years old. A spokesperson for Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond did not immediately return a phone call for comment Saturday. “The Court’s findings and conclusions rest upon a record compiled in 2005–2009,” the poultry companies' motion stated. Attorneys for the companies and the state attorney general each said in Thursday filings that mediation had failed.

Persons: Tyson, Judge Gregory Frizzell, Gentner Drummond, Frizzell, ” Frizzell, Cobb Organizations: Tyson Foods, Cargill Inc, U.S, Oklahoma, Tulsa, Cal, Maine Foods Inc, Tyson Poultry Inc, Tyson Chicken Inc, Vantress, Cargill, George’s Inc, George’s, Inc, Peterson Farms Inc, Simmons Foods Inc Locations: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tyson Foods , Minnesota, Tulsa, Illinois, Cargill Turkey

☆ One month on, the Israel-Hamas conflict explained
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The conflict has led to a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with more than 10,000 people killed there, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah. Unlike some other Palestinian factions, Hamas refuses to engage with Israel and does not recognize its right to exist. Palestinian Hamas members in Gaza City ride an armored vehicle seized from Fatah, a rival Palestinian political party, during a celebration rally in June 2007. The Pentagon last month ordered a second carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and sent Air Force fighter jets to the region. On Israel’s northern border, Iran-backed Hezbollah has engaged in an exchange of fire since the Gaza war began.

Persons: CNN —, Fadel Senna, Israel hasn’t, Abed Rahim Khatib, Israel, Abid Katib, Yahya Hassouna, Joe Biden, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, –, Hussein Malla, Houthis, General Hassan Nasrallah Organizations: CNN, Palestinian, Hamas, United Nations, Getty, Al, Najjar, European Union, Oslo Accords, Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO, Israel, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Fatah, Humanitarian Affairs, UN’s, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, World Health Organization, WHO, UN, US, Pentagon, Air Force Locations: CNN — Israel, Gaza, Israel, Ramallah, Jerusalem, AFP, Aqsa, Gaza City, Rafah, Egypt, United States, Oslo, Palestinian, Sinai, Jordan, Iran, Washington, Qatar, Aita, Lebanese, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen’s Iran

☆ A welding business that tried to pay a $23,500 bill with coins is being blasted by a Colorado judge for acting in 'bad faith'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Colorado welding company tried to pay $23,500 to a subcontractor in coins, CBS reported. A judge said the payment made with 6,500 pounds — or 3 tons — of coins was malicious and "in bad faith." AdvertisementAdvertisementA Colorado welding company that tried to make a $23,500 payment in coins has been blasted by a judge for acting "maliciously and in bad faith," CBS News Colorado reported. He also ordered JMF to pay Fired Up Fabrication's lawyer fees and costs. The two companies then went to mediation to settle the dispute in July and JMF agreed to pay Fired Up Fabrication $23,500.

Persons: —, Joseph Findley, Findley, JMF, John Frank, nickels, Danielle Beem, Beem, Frank, Giovanni Camacho, Camacho Organizations: CBS, Service, CBS News Colorado, JMF Enterprises Locations: Colorado, Larimer County

SEATTLE (AP) — An Idaho woman is suing her one-time fertility doctor, saying he secretly used his own sperm to inseminate her 34 years ago — the latest in a string of such cases brought as at-home DNA sampling enables people to learn more about their ancestry. He charged $100 cash for each of several treatments, saying the money was for the college or medical students who were donating the sperm, the lawsuit said. But the newspaper reported that Claypool claimed he had no knowledge of the allegations and didn't know Sharon Hayes. “But this is the first I’ve heard of anything in 40 years.”A number of cases of “fertility fraud” have arisen as online DNA services have proliferated. A Colorado jury awarded nearly $9 million to three families who accused a fertility doctor of using his own sperm to inseminate mothers who requested anonymous donors.

Persons: Sharon Hayes, David R, Claypool, Brianna Hayes, 23andMe, “ It's, ”, Hayes, Drew Dalton, Dalton, didn't, “, ” Claypool, RJ Ermola Organizations: SEATTLE, Spokane County Superior Court, Associated Press, AP, Claypool, Seattle Times, New York Times, Netflix Locations: An Idaho, Hauser , Idaho, Spokane , Washington, Spokane County, U.S, Indiana, Colorado

The strike has shut down 13 locks between Lake Erie and Montreal, bottling up ships in the Great Lakes and preventing more ships from coming in. It’s the first time that a strike has shut down the vital shipping artery since 1968. A U.S. Navy warship, the littoral combat ship USS Marinette, was supposed to leave Cleveland on Lake Erie on Monday, but remains stuck. Shipments within the four Great Lakes from Superior to Erie such as iron ore and coal can still go through. MarineTraffic.com showed that it was headed into Lake Erie, but it can go no farther without a resolution.

Persons: ”, Jason Card, “, Unifor, It's, MarineTraffic.com, —, John Jamian, ” Jamian, Isadora, There’s, Jason Hron, ” Hron Organizations: Lawrence Seaway, Lawrence Seaway Management Corp, Ships, “ lakers, Canadian, Seaway, binational Chamber of Marine Commerce, Officials, Management, seaway, — salties, lakers, U.S . Navy, Port, Duluth Seaway Port Authority Locations: MINNEAPOLIS, St, Lawrence, Canada, United States, Ontario, Quebec, Unifor, Lake Erie, Montreal, Great, The St, Lake Superior, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ottawa, Welland, U.S, Marinette, Cleveland, Thunder Bay , Ontario, Superior, Detroit, Lakes Huron, Erie, Port of Detroit, Europe, She’s, Twin Ports, Duluth , Minnesota, Superior , Wisconsin, Cyprus, Algeria, Duluth Seaway, Lakes

☆ 6 troubling questions about the Corizon bankruptcy deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Dakin Campbell | Nicole Einbinder | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

The bankruptcy of prison health provider Corizon has faced pressure from senators and a federal regulator in recent weeks. Other troubling questions surrounding the bankruptcy involve payments to insiders, "dishonest" testimony, and a secret data breach. The other company, Tehum, was saddled with most of Corizon's liabilities and, in February, filed for bankruptcy. AdvertisementAdvertisementNine US senators have written to Corizon successor companies Tehum Care Services and YesCare demanding answers about Corizon's efforts to "manipulate bankruptcy law." AdvertisementAdvertisementLefkowitz repeatedly said under oath during a June creditor call that he didn't know who owned Geneva Consulting — the company Corizon paid $5.5 million.

Persons: Corizon, —, Christopher Lopez, David Jones, Elizabeth Freeman, YesCare, Jones, Tehum, Judge Jones, Freeman, Ian Cross, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Dick Durbin, Lopez, they're, Kevin Eckhardt, Hector Garcia Jr, Hector Garcia, Belen Lowery, Garcia's, Jeff Sholey, Isaac Lefkowitz, Lefkowitz, Sara Tirschwell, Jeffrey Scott King, Ayodeji, Michelle Rice, Jennifer Finger, Sholey, Edward Janger, Janger, he's, didn't, Geneva, Russell Perry, Baker, Hostetler, Tehum's, Tracey Grissom, Grissom, Julia Tutwiler, Roman, Sannikov, CISA, Tehum hadn't, What's, it's Organizations: Service, Tehum Care Services, Justice Department, Corizon, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, Geneva Consulting, Tehum, University of Missouri Health Care, Brooklyn Law School, Geneva, Genesis Healthcare, Department, US, Court, Southern, Southern District of, Baker, FBI, Infrastructure Security Agency, of Health, Human, CISA, HHS, HIPAA, Women Locations: Houston, Texas, YesCare, Reorg, New Mexico, Corizon, Geneva, Southern District, Southern District of Texas, Alabama, Wetumpka , Alabama, Rivers, bitcoin, Tehum

☆ Qatar's prime minister: Hostage release talks progressing, hopeful for breakthrough 'soon'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani makes statements to the media with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Doha, Qatar, October 13, 2023. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDOHA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Qatar's prime minister said on Wednesday that negotiations the Gulf Arab state is leading to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are progressing and he is hopeful there will soon be a breakthrough. Qatar's foreign ministry urged de-escalation and warned that an Israeli ground assault on the densely populated enclave would make freeing hostages "much more difficult." "There is some progress and some breakthrough and we remain hopeful," said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at a press conference in the Qatari capital. Also speaking in Doha, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said an Israeli ground operation into Gaza would turn the fighting there into a massacre.

Persons: Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Antony Blinken, Jacquelyn Martin, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman, Sheikh Mohammed, Majed Al Ansari, Hakan Fidan, Fidan, Andrew Mills, Nayera Abdallah, Maha El, Toby Chopra, Bernadette Baum, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Qatar's, U.S, Rights, Qatar, Turkish, Thomson Locations: Doha, Qatar, Gaza, Thani, Israel, Israeli, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Powerful senators fire off letter decrying 'abusive' tactics in Corizon bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Dakin Campbell | Nicole Einbinder | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Nine US senators including Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, and Bernie Sanders have sent a letter to Corizon leaders demanding answers on its bankruptcy. The letter says Corizon has sought "to manipulate bankruptcy law" and calls the strategy "abusive." Citing Insider's reporting, the senators gave Corizon two weeks to turn over details about its use of the Texas Two-Step to shield assets from creditors. AdvertisementAdvertisementA powerful group of senators have pressed for answers about the bankruptcy of the private prison healthcare provider formerly known as Corizon Health. "The Texas Two-Step is a distorted use of the U.S. bankruptcy system by corporations to evade mass tort liability," the senators write.

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, Bernie Sanders, Corizon, —, Cory Booker, Ron Wyden, Tehum, Jeffrey Sholey, Isaac Lefkowitz, Tehum's, Sholey, Lefkowitz, Sen, Warren, YesCare, Hector Garcia, Adria Malcom, excoriate Corizon, Hector Garcia Jr, David Jones, Jones, Christopher Lopez, Durbin, Johnson, Sanders, Booker, Wyden, Democratic Sens, Richard Blumenthal, Mazie, Jeff Merkley, Peter Welch of Organizations: Service, Tehum Care, Finance, Corizon, Detention, Genesis Healthcare, Geneva Consulting, Genesis, Geneva Consulting —, Genesis HealthCare Inc, US, Texas, Committee, Democratic Locations: Texas, Ana, Las Cruces , New Mexico, New Mexico, Alabama, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Hawaii, Oregon, Peter Welch of Vermont

Oregon State and Washington State claim the actions of the Pac-12 and Commissioner George Kliavkoff in response to members announcing their intent to leave the conference in 2024 show those departing schools relinquished their rights to decide the long-term future of the league. “The Pac-12 cannot continue to be paralyzed at such a critical time," Washington State and Oregon State said in a joint statement. Earlier this month, the University of Washington asked to intervene in the case and for the court to dismiss the lawsuit brought by Oregon State and Washington State. A mediation process is also ongoing between Oregon State and Washington State and the 10 departing Pac-12 members. Lastly, according to the filing, Kliavkoff sent a text message to representatives of Oregon State, Washington State, Stanford and Cal following announcements by Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah on Aug. 4 that they were leaving for new conferences stating: “(a)s of today we have 4 board members."

Persons: George Kliavkoff, Gary Libey, “, Kliavkoff, ___, Ralph D, Russo Organizations: Oregon State, Washington State, Washington, Superior Court, Pacific, University of Washington, USC, UCLA, Stanford, Cal, Atlantic Coast Conference, AP Locations: Oregon, Washington State, Washington , Oregon, UCLA, Southern California, Stanford , California , Arizona, Arizona State , Utah, Colorado, Washington, Washington , Oregon , Arizona, Arizona State and Utah

Shadi Tabatibi/Reuters Relatives mourn for a family killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on October 21. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images Palestinians inspect a destroyed area following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on October 21. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters A woman mourns over a dead man at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City on October 18. Yousef Masoud/The New York Times A morgue worker arranges body bags at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on October 12. Erik Marmor/AP Six-month-old Sama Alwadia is rescued from the rubble in Gaza City on October 9.

Persons: Yoav Gallant, ”, “, ” Bbuildings, Mohammed Zaanoun, Ashraf Al, Mohammed Al, Masri, Mark Regev, Benjamin Netanyahu, we’ve, ” Regev, Matt Miller, Mai Yaghi, Yam Goldstein, Nadav, Ariel Schalit, Jalaa Marey, Said Khatub, Leon Neal, Hatem Moussa, Nir Oz, Wolfgang Schwan, Yousef Masoud, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Shadi Tabatibi, Ali Jadallah, Belal al Sabbagh, Mohammed Saber, Khan, Rizek Abdeljawad, Ahmad Gharabli, Janis Laizans, Abed Khaled, Mohammed Dahman, Gallant, Yasser Qudih, Ofir Libstein, Aza, Ronen Zvulun, Belal Khaled, Abed Rahim Khatib, Hod, Ayal Margolin, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Brendan Smialowski, Biden, Netanyahu, Kenny Holston, Mohammed Abed, Kfar Aza, Ilia Yefimovich, Mustafa Hassona, Mahmoud Khaled, Samar Abu, Fatima Shbair, Dor Reder, Violeta Santos Moura, Shir Torem, Wahaj Bani Moufleh, Antonio Macías, Macías, Francisco Seco, Eli Albag, Liri, Mohammed Talatene, Sergey Ponomarev, Hatem Ali, Dor Kedmi, Mahmud Hams, Saher, Abraham Cohen, Valentin Ghnassia, Ghnassia, Yuri Cortez, Ibrahim Hams, Bashar Taleb, Baz Ratner, Jack Guez, Yahya Hassouna, Mapal Adam, Abed Zagout, Tamir Kalifa, Agha, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters Itzik, Miriam Shafir, Dor Shafir, Savion Kiper, Maya Alleruzzo, Mohammed Salem, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Eden Guez, Atef Safadi, Ohad, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Oren Ziv, Majdi, Ramez Mahmoud, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Oded, Khan Younis, Ahmad Hasballah, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Tsafrir, Ilan Rosenberg, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, Marwan Abusada, Ghassan Abu, Sittah, there’s, Hatem Edhair, Nurit Cooper, Yocheved Lifshitz, – Cooper’s, Amiram, Oded –, Judith Tai Raanan, Natalie Raanan, Lifshitz, ” Nurit Cooper, ” Daniel Lifshitz, he’s, John Kirby, we’re, ” Kirby Organizations: Jerusalem CNN — Aid, CNN, West Bank, Getty, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Indonesian, UN, Shifa, Reuters, US State, Pictures, Tel Aviv University, AP, New York Times, Reuters Civil, AP Rockets, AP Israel's, Regional, Al, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Israel's, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Israel Defense Forces, Israeli, Ben Gurion International, Palestinian, Aris Messinis, Haim, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Nova, Anadolu Agency, Nova Festival, Ben Gurion, Rockets, United Nations, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets, Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health, West Bank . Hospitals, Palestinian Authority, Nasser, Hamas, White, National Security Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, Israel, Gaza City, Zahra, Rafah, AFP, Kibbutz Shefayim, Israeli, Lebanon, Tel Aviv, Deir al, Anadolu, Khan Younis, Europe, Zahra City, Egypt, Xinhua, East Jerusalem, Ras, Israel's, Yehuda, Aqsa, Hod HaSharon, Kiryat Shmona, Al, Ahli, Sderot, Gan, Kfar, North Sinai, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Beit Kama, Haifa, Cyprus, Nablus, West, Kfar Saba, Be'eri, Rehovot, Mount Herzl, Kibbutz Be'eri, Modiin Maccabim, Kfar Aza, Ashkelon, Mount Herzel, Yassin, Palestinian, Beitar Ilit, Ramat Gan, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion

[1/5] Smoke is rising after an Israeli strike on Gaza seen from a viewpoint in Southern Israel October 24, 2023. US, RUSSIA OFFER RIVAL PROPOSALSAt the United Nations, the United States and Russia put forward rival plans on humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians. Washington has called for pauses and Russia wants a humanitarian ceasefire. Arab states firmly back a call for a humanitarian ceasefire amid widespread destruction of Gaza's buildings in Israel's aerial bombardment. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

Persons: Violeta Santos Moura, Joe Biden, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Israel, Iran's U.N, Amir Saeid Iravani, Antony Blinken, Vassily Nebenzia, Sameh Shoukry, Antonio Guterres, Justin Trudeau, Nidal al, Emily Rose, Andrew Mills, Michelle Nichols, Humeyra Pamuk, Grant McCool, Howard Goller, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, UN, Tuesday, Saudi Arabian Crown, White, West Bank, Washington, Security, United Nations, Palestinian, UNRWA, quicken, U.S, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Southern Israel, Iran, Israel, Russia, Saudi, GAZA, JERUSALEM, United States, Canada, Palestinian, Egypt, U.S, Lebanon's Iran, Lebanon, Iran's, RUSSIA, Washington, Ottawa, Gulf

☆ Qatar hostage mediators press Hamas on civilian releases -diplomats, sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Hamas on Monday freed two Israeli civilian women captives from the besieged enclave following the release of two hostages with dual U.S.-Israeli nationality on Friday. Qatar is now discussing a larger release of civilians with Hamas and Israel, a fifth source told Reuters on Tuesday after being briefed on the negotiations. The talks are not about any of the Israeli soldiers held by Hamas, the diplomats and regional source familiar with the talks said. When its fighters stormed into Israel on Oct 7, "Hamas did not expect the operation would be as catastrophically successful as it was. Qatar, which has ambitious foreign policy goals, has a direct line of communication with Hamas and Israel.

Persons: Ammar Awad, Matthew Miller, Washington, Osama Hamdan, Israel, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Nidal, James Mackenzie, Edmund Blair, William Maclean, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, quicken, U.S, Reuters, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, . State Department, Qatar apprised, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israel, DOHA, Gulf, Palestinian, Qatar, In Washington, U.S, Jerusalem, Washington, Beirut

☆ Qatar Hostage Mediators Press Hamas on Civilian Releases -Diplomats, Sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Hamas on Monday freed two Israeli civilian women captives from the besieged enclave following the release of two hostages with dual U.S.-Israeli nationality on Friday. Qatar is now discussing a larger release of civilians with Hamas and Israel, a fifth source told Reuters on Tuesday after being briefed on the negotiations. The talks are not about any of the Israeli soldiers held by Hamas, the diplomats and regional source familiar with the talks said. Hamas says such captive soldiers are strategic assets the group can eventually exchange for major concessions from Israel. Qatar, which has ambitious foreign policy goals, has a direct line of communication with Hamas and Israel.

Persons: Andrew Mills, Matthew Miller, Washington, Osama Hamdan, Israel, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Nidal, James Mackenzie, Edmund Blair, William Maclean, Nick Macfie Organizations: Andrew Mills DOHA, Reuters, quicken, U.S, Hamas, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, . State Department, Qatar apprised Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gulf, Palestinian, Qatar, In Washington, U.S, Jerusalem, Washington, Beirut

☆ Macron flies to Israel to push for humanitarian truce, proposals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video-conference with the families of French hostages by the Hamas militants who had entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 20, 2023. His advisers said that beyond showing solidarity with Israel, Macron wanted to make "proposals that are as operational as possible" to prevent an escalation, free hostages, guarantee Israel's security and work towards a two-state solution. The French leader upped the ante before the trip, telling reporters he would only travel to the region if he thought the visit would be "useful". Macron will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and centrist leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid for the opposition. Macron has vowed on national television that France would "not abandon any of its children" in Gaza.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Benoit Tessier, Netanyahu, Abbas, PARIS, Macron, Israel doesn't, Benjamin Netanyahu, Isaac Herzog, Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid, Karim Emile Bitar, Mahmoud Abbas, Macron's, Michel Rose, John Irish, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Israeli, Arab French Gaullist, IRIS, Reuters, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Paris, France, French, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Arab French, Beirut

[1/3] People react as residents of Tel Aviv show support and solidarity with the families of hostages who are being held in Gaza in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 21, 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to eliminate Hamas and Israeli troops could enter Gaza at any moment, but many families are urging him to focus solely on the hostages. Israel has a long experience of dealing with hostage crises, but has previously shied away from attempting rescue operations in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Some of the freed Palestinians returned to the ranks of Hamas, including its current leader in Gaza, Yahya Al-Sinwar. We have to help these hostages very fast," said Daniel Lifshitz, whose grandparents, aged 83 and 85, were abducted and have vanished into Gaza.

Persons: Ammar Awad, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Noam Alon, Inbar, Isaac Herzog, Carmel Gorni, Yiftah Gorni, Gorni, Ilan, Sandy Feldman, Herzog, Keith Siegel, Jonathan Dekel, Chen, Sagui, Netanyahu, Gilad Shalit, Yahya Al, Shalit, Gal Hirsch, Daniel Lifshitz, Crispian Balmer, Alison Williams Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Aviva, Reuters, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israel, Gaza Israel, Jerusalem, Palestinian, Qatar, Qatari

☆ Israel will not hold off on ground offensive over hostages-minister tells Bild
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz listens to a talk on the gas platform for Leviathan, Israel's largest gas field, talks, near Haifa bay, northern Israel, August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ari Rabinovitch/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Israel will not hold off on a possible ground invasion of Gaza over the issue of captives being held there, Israel's energy minister told German tabloid newspaper Bild. In an interview published on Tuesday, energy minister Israel Katz said everything would be done to bring the hostages home. "But that cannot hinder our actions including the ground offensive, if we decide on it," he was quoted as saying. "Hamas wants us to deal with the captives and wants the military to not go in to eliminate their infrastructure.

Persons: Israel Katz, Ari Rabinovitch, Katz, Ludwig Burger, Deepa Babington Organizations: Energy, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Haifa, Israel, Gaza

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened on Saturday to let desperately needed aid flow to Palestinians running short of food, medicine and water in the territory that is under an Israeli siege. More than 200 trucks carrying roughly 3,000 tons of aid, which had been positioned near the crossing for days, began heading into Gaza. Many in Gaza, reduced to eating one meal a day and without enough water to drink, are waiting desperately for the aid. Hundreds of foreign passport holders also waited to cross from Gaza to Egypt to escape the conflict. Israel said Friday it does not plan to take long-term control over the tiny territory, home to some 2.3 million Palestinians.

Persons: Israel, Judith Raanan, Natalie, Ben, Joe Biden, “, Israel —, Yoav Gallant, ”, ” Gallant, Gallant, Mohammed Abu Selmia, ___ Magdy, Bassem Mroue Organizations: Hamas, U.S, International Committee, Associated Press, Health Ministry, Israel, Shifa, Palestine Red Crescent Society Locations: RAFAH, Gaza, Egypt, Israel, American, Qatar, Persian, Chicago, Nahal Oz, Rafah, Gaza’s, Palestine, Quds, Cairo, Krauss, Jerusalem, Beirut

REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Oil prices drop on Friday but gain over 1% for the weekHamas releases two US hostages in GazaEarlier, Israeli minister said troops to see Gaza 'from inside'Global oil market already faces supply concernsBENGALURU, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled lower on Friday after the Islamist group Hamas released two U.S. hostages from Gaza, leading to hopes the Israeli-Palestinian crisis could de-escalate without engulfing the rest of the Middle East region and disrupting oil supplies. Brent crude futures fell 22 cents, or 0.2%, to settle at $92.16 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for November delivery , which expired after settlement on Friday, fell 62 cents, or 0.7%, to $88.75 a barrel. Hamas' armed wing released two U.S. hostages from Gaza - a mother and her daughter - "for humanitarian reasons" in response to Qatari mediation efforts in the war with Israel, its spokesman Abu Ubaida said on Friday. "The report took some of the risk premium out of the market," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Abu Ubaida, Phil Flynn, Yoav Gallant, John Kilduff, Kilduff, Giovanni Staunovo, Brent, Staunovo, Shariq Khan, Paul Carsten, Florence Tan, Sudarshan, Shri Navaratnam, Jason Neely, David Gregorio, Jane Merriman Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Brent, . West Texas, Price Futures, Israeli, Pentagon, UBS, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Gaza, BENGALURU, Hamas, Israel, Yemen, New York, Saudi Arabia, Russia

☆ Hamas says it releases two U.S. hostages 'for humanitarian reasons' after Qatari efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hamas' armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, has released two U.S. hostages from Gaza — a mother and her daughter — "for humanitarian reasons" in response to Qatari mediation efforts in the war with Israel, its spokesman Abu Ubaida said on Friday. It said more than 20 hostages have been killed by Israeli air strikes, but has not given any further details. Israel has also said that there will be no end to its full blockade of the enclave unless Israeli hostages are freed. Hamas has released a video of Mia Schem, a 21-year-old French-Israeli woman captured at a dance party. American and British officials have confirmed they have been working with Qatar to secure the release of hostages, including their citizens, held in Gaza.

Persons: Deen al, —, Abu Ubaida, Joe, Biden, Israel, Mia Schem, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Gilad Shalit Organizations: Tel, Brigades, Hamas, Qatar Locations: Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv Israel, Hamas, Gaza, Israel, Thailand, Argentina, Germany, France, Portugal

They were the first hostages confirmed by both sides in the conflict to be freed since Hamas gunmen burst into Israel and killed 1,400 people, mainly civilians, and abducted around 200 others. Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing, said the hostages were released in part "for humanitarian reasons" in response to Qatari mediation efforts. HEAVY BOMBARDMENTPalestinian media reported heavy Israeli bombardment in Gaza overnight, including a strike on a house in Jabalia in northern Gaza that killed at least 19 people. [1/8]Judith Tai Raanan and her daughter Natalie Shoshana Raanan, U.S. citizens who were taken as hostages by Palestinian Hamas militants, walk while holding hands with Brig.-Gen. Israel has already told all civilians to evacuate the northern half of the Gaza Strip, which includes Gaza City.

Persons: Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, Judith Tai Raanan, Natalie, Gal Hirsch, Uri Raanan, we'll, Abu Ubaida, Israel, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, it's, Natalie Shoshana Raanan, Antony Blinken, Biden, Antonio Guterres, Nandita Bose, Nidal, Idrees Ali, Stephen Coates, Diane Craft Organizations: Gaza Hamas, Friday, Reuters, Israeli, Brig, Palestinian, of Saint, United, Israel, Hamas, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Gaza, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Bannockburn , Illinois, Chicago, Jabalia, U.S, Jerusalem, of Saint Porphyrius, Gaza City, Iran, United States, United Nations, Rafah, Egypt, Palestinian, Jericho, Washington

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