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Israeli warplanes pounded targets in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Monday as the military told about 110,000 people sheltering there to evacuate. Many people began to leave, fearing that Israel was moving ahead with its long-planned invasion of Rafah, despite stiff international pressure. A military spokesman would not say when troops might enter the crowded city, but described the evacuation as part of Israel’s plans to dismantle Hamas and to free hostages taken on Oct. 7. Hours after the evacuation order, the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, issued a statement that the group had accepted a new cease-fire proposal from Qatar and Egypt, which have acted as intermediaries in peace talks. The group and Israeli officials said it was not referring to the proposal that Israel recently agreed to, leaving the conflict unresolved.

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, “, Ismail Haniyeh Organizations: Hamas Locations: Gaza, Rafah, Qatar, Egypt, Israel

☆ Hamas’s announcement adds to the uncertainty of the cease-fire talks.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The announcement by Hamas on Monday that it had accepted terms of a cease-fire added to the uncertainty that began over the weekend, when officials said that the armed group and Israel had reached an impasse after months of talks. As if to underscore that the fighting would continue, Hamas militants on Sunday launched rockets from Rafah, their last stronghold in Gaza, killing four Israeli soldiers. The terms Hamas had agreed to were not immediately clear, but a senior Israeli official quickly said that the terms were not those that Israel had agreed to. Hamas wants a permanent cease-fire. Israel wants a temporary truce.

Persons: Israel, Ismail Haniyeh Organizations: Sunday, Hamas Locations: Israel, Rafah, Gaza, Egypt, Qatar, Israeli, United States

☆ Hamas says it accepts cease-fire proposal from Egyptian, Qatari mediators, as U.S. and Israel review details of plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Hamas said it told Egyptian and Qatari negotiators that it has approved a cease-fire proposal to halt the war in Gaza. Israel is examining the proposal that Hamas approved and has not confirmed whether it would accept or reject it, an Israeli official told NBC News. Hostage release negotiations intensified over the weekend, with facilitation from U.S. CIA Director William Burns, alongside mediators from Egypt and Qatar. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned Israel against an offensive in Rafah, where millions of civilians have taken refuge. President Joe Biden reiterated that stance on a half-hour Monday call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which took place before Hamas had announced its approval of a cease-fire proposal.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Ashraf Amra, Daniel Hagari, Matthew Miller, William Burns, Burns, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Hamas, Anadolu, Egyptian, Qatari, NBC, Israel Defense Forces, Department, NBC News, CIA, Israeli Locations: Palestinian, Sakura, Istanbul, Turkiye, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Qatar, Arab, Gaza's, Rafah

CNN —Hamas says it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza. It’s unclear whether Hamas has agreed to the most recent ceasefire proposal, as outlined last week, or a revised version of it. Palestinians in Rafah celebrate news that Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal, May 6, 2024. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled to Rafah, where Hamas is believed to have regrouped after Israel’s destruction of much of the north of Gaza. IDF operations ongoingAsked whether Hamas’ acceptance of a deal could change Israel’s plans for Rafah, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the military would continue to operate in Gaza.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, William Burns, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Matthew Miller, “, ”, Daniel Hagari, ” Netanyahu, ” Itamar Ben Gvir, Netanyahu, ” Benny Gantz Organizations: CNN, Hamas, CIA, Qatari, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Families Forum Locations: Egypt, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Doha, Qatar’s, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, United States, Deir al, Gaza City, Rafah, AFP, Orit, Tel Aviv

☆ Hamas says latest cease-fire talks have ended. Israel vows military operation in 'very near future'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks ended in Cairo after "in-depth and serious discussions," the Hamas militant group said Sunday, reiterating key demands that Israel again rejected. The defense minister claimed Hamas wasn't serious about a deal and warned of "a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza." The Israeli military reported 10 projectiles were launched at the crossing in southern Israel and said its fighter jets later struck the source. Hamas would start by releasing female civilian hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths, accusing it of embedding in residential and public areas.

Persons: Israel, Israel didn't, Yoav Gallant, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Kerem Shalom, Cindy McCain, Attar, Abu Youssef al Organizations: Hamas, Food, NBC, Najjar Locations: Deir Balah, Gaza, Israel, Cairo, Rafah, Egypt, Qatar, Qatar's Al Jazeera, U.S, Israeli, Lebanese

CNN —Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he “cannot accept” Hamas’ demands to end the war in Gaza as the two sides traded blame amid fresh ceasefire talks that showed little sign of a breakthrough. But the latest comments from Israel and Hamas show how far apart the two remain. He said Hamas’s demand that Israel withdraw from Gaza was out of the question. Most recently, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held another round of high-stakes talks in Israel on Wednesday. Following the rocket barrage, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) blamed Hamas aid not reaching the besieged strip.

Persons: CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Vahid, Haniyeh, ” Netanyahu, ”, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, ” Galant, ” Gallant, COGAT Organizations: CNN, CNN — Israel’s, Sunday, US, Israeli, ”, Defense Ministry, IDF, Israel Defense Forces, Brigades Locations: Gaza, Cairo, Israel, Egypt, ”, The State, “ Israel, Rafah, Gazan, Kerem Shalom, Territories

☆ Middle East Crisis Turkey Severs Trade With Israel, Citing Conditions in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Gulsin Harman | Ben Hubbard | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey said late Thursday that it had halted all trade with Israel until “uninterrupted and adequate humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza,” signaling further deterioration in relations between the two countries. Turkey’s Trade Ministry said in a statement that exports and imports “for all products” would pause. Mr. Katz also said he had instructed the Foreign Ministry to create alternatives for trade with Turkey, focusing on local production and imports from other countries. Turkey reported $5.4 billion in exports to Israel in 2023 and $1.64 billion in imports, according to United Nations figures. The Turkish leader has also forcefully defended Hamas and recently met with Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s political leader, and other Hamas officials in Istanbul on April 20.

Persons: Israel Katz, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mr, Katz, Erdogan, Ismail Haniyeh, “, “ Israel, Hakan Fidan Organizations: Turkey’s Trade Ministry, Bloomberg, Foreign Ministry, United Nations, Ministry, Trade Ministry, Israel, International Court of Justice Locations: Turkey, Israel, Gaza, Istanbul, “ Israel, Palestine

A Hamas leader said Thursday that the group would soon send a delegation to Cairo to “complete ongoing discussions” on a cease-fire deal for the war in the Gaza Strip, raising hopes of progress in the stalled efforts for a truce. The latest cease-fire proposal, which has been forcefully pushed by the Biden administration in recent days, comes after nearly seven devastating months of war. The deal would include a weekslong temporary truce — the exact duration is unclear — and the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel. It would also allow the return of civilians to the largely depopulated northern part of Gaza, and enable increased delivery of aid to the territory. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’s political wing, said the group was studying the latest proposal from Israel, which includes some Israeli concessions, with a “positive spirit.” A Hamas delegation will go to Egypt soon to seek a deal that “realizes our people’s demands and ends the aggression,” according to a statement by the group.

Persons: Biden, Ismail Haniyeh, ”, “ Locations: Cairo, “, Gaza, Israel, Egypt

☆ Israel is struggling to find and kill the top Hamas commanders it wants most
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The IDF has managed to kill some of Hamas' top commanders, but it continues to hunt down others. AdvertisementMore than six months into its war in Gaza, Israel has little to show for its efforts. Israel has claimed that it has eliminated a significant number of mid- to senior-level commanders of Hamas' military wing, known as the al-Qassam Brigades. Related storiesAll three men were known to be Hamas military operatives, Israel said. AP Photo/Leo CorreaBut several top Hamas military leaders, including those most wanted by Israel, remain at-large.

Persons: —, Marwan Issa, Jake Sullivan, Issa, Israel, Gaza's, Khan Younis, Fatima Shbair Israel, Saleh, Israel's Shin, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Leo Correa, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed, Mohammed Deif, Sullivan, Charlie Herbert, Herbert, Herbert said, Yoav Gallant, Biden Organizations: IDF, White, Service, Israel Defense Forces, AP, White House, Gaza's Hamas, United Nations, Hezbollah, Brigades, Hamas, 162nd Division, Israeli Locations: Israel, Gaza, Qatar, Beirut, Lebanon, Iran, Hamas, Jerusalem, Yemen, NATO, Khan, Rafah, Western

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Iran attack fears, Gaza Eid celebrations ruined
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

The car in which three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were reportedly killed in an Israeli air strike is pictured near Al Shati, northwest of Gaza City, on April 10. AFP/Getty ImagesThree sons of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza Wednesday, an assassination that threatens to complicate ongoing negotiations aiming to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal. The Israeli military confirmed it carried out the attack, describing the men as “three Hamas military operatives that conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip.”Haniyeh said killing the sons of leaders would only make Hamas “more steadfast in our principles and adherence to our land.”Israeli officials drew a distinction between the strike and the negotiations aiming to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal. Two other Israeli officials said neither Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had been told about the strike ahead of time. Here are the other developments in the region:

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, ” Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant Organizations: AFP, Getty, Israeli Locations: Al Shati, Gaza City, Gaza

☆ Israel Announces New Operation Against Hamas, After Killing Top Leader’s Sons
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Israeli military announced what it called a precise operation to kill members of Hamas in Gaza on Thursday, a day after a strike there killed relatives of one of the group’s most senior leaders. Ismail Haniyeh, who leads the political wing of Hamas from exile, said three of his sons had been killed in the Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza on Wednesday. The Israeli military said that the three Haniyeh sons it killed — Amir, Mohammad and Hazem — were active in Hamas’s military operations, Amir as a cell commander and his brothers as lower-level operatives. One of the brothers was also involved in holding hostages, the Israeli military said, without specifying which one. The strike came as international negotiators work to broker a cease-fire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the enclave.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh’s, — Amir, Mohammad, Hazem —, Amir Organizations: Hamas Locations: Gaza

☆ Ismail Haniyeh: Israeli airstrike kills three sons of Hamas political leader in Gaza as ceasefire talks stutter
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | Zeena Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Three sons of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza Wednesday, an assassination that threatens to complicate ongoing negotiations aiming to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal. The three were killed when the vehicle they were driving in was bombed in the Al Shati refugee camp, northwest of Gaza City, Hamas political leader Haniyeh told Al Jazeera. The Israeli military statement did not mention anyone else being killed in the strike. Palestinian group Hamas' top political leader Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on March 26, 2024. More than 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Amir Haniyeh, Mohammad Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Al Jazeera, Eid, ”, Majid Asgaripour, Reuters Haniyeh, “, Haniyeh’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Bill Burns Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Israel Security Agency, Hamas, Reuters, Israeli, Gaza Ministry, Health, CIA, Israel Locations: Gaza, Al Shati, Gaza City, Palestinian, Tehran, Iran, Qatar, Rafah, “ Israel, Israel’s, Cairo

An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday killed three sons of one of the most senior leaders of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who said the strike would not weaken the group’s negotiating position or its resolve in its fight against Israel. Mr. Haniyeh, who leads the Hamas political bureau from exile, is a longstanding leader of the group. He is also engaged in the stalled negotiations with Israel through international mediators who are seeking to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “The enemy is delusional if it thinks that by killing my children, we will change our positions,” Mr. Haniyeh said in a statement. “We shall not give in, no matter the sacrifices.”

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, ” Mr, ” Organizations: Israel Locations: Israel, Gaza

☆ Chinese envoy meets Hamas chief Haniyeh after first visit to Israel since Gaza war began
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese diplomat Wang Kejian met Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar, China’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, the first meeting between a Chinese and Hamas official publicly acknowledged by Beijing since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Wang and Haniyeh “exchanged views on the Gaza conflict and other issues” during their meeting Sunday, according to a brief readout from China’s Foreign Ministry Tuesday. Wang’s visit comes as Beijing aims to step up its profile as a peace broker and has become increasingly vocal in its opposition to the Gaza war. Fighting began on October 7 when Hamas carried out a deadly attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages, according to Israel. During his visit to the West Bank, Wang met with the Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, where the Chinese envoy said Beijing is “deeply concerned” about the conflict in Gaza.

Persons: Wang Kejian, Ismail Haniyeh, Wang, Haniyeh “, Haniyeh, Qatar Cao Xiaolin, ”, Cao, Wang’s, Riyad al, “, Zhai Jun, Wang Yi, ” Wang Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China’s, Hamas, West Bank –, Foreign, “, Security Council, United Nations, International Court of Justice, China’s Foreign Ministry, West Bank, Ministry of Health, Palestinian, Foreign Ministry, Beijing, Palestinian National Authority, Global South, UN, UN Security Council, Washington, Palestine Locations: Hong Kong, Qatar, Beijing, Gaza, Wang, Israel, China, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, Global South Beijing, United States, Xinjiang

☆ Oil prices fall on China demand worries
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A view of oil wells at Arab Desert in Jebel Dukhan, Bahrain on March 4, 2024. Oil prices extended last week's losses on Monday on concern about slow demand in China, though lingering geopolitical risk surrounding the Middle East and Russia limited the decline. "Worries over weak demand in China outweighed the extension of supply cuts by OPEC+," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, a unit of Nissan Securities, adding that mixed signs from U.S. jobs data prompted some traders to adjust positions. China last week set an economic growth target for 2024 of around 5%, which many analysts called ambitious without much more stimulus. Tension is also escalating in Russia and its neighbors, raising fear about a potential escalation in conflict outside of Ukraine, NS Trading's Kikukawa said.

Persons: Brent, Hiroyuki Kikukawa, Ismail Haniyeh, Kikukawa, Vladimir Putin Organizations: U.S, West Texas, NS, Nissan Securities, Organization of, Petroleum, Federal Reserve Locations: Jebel Dukhan, Bahrain, China, East, Russia, Hamas, Israel, OPEC, Gaza, Ukraine, France

☆ Gaza Begins Ramadan With No Cease-Fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Adam Rasgon | Hwaida Saad | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

International hopes at reaching a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan were dashed on Sunday, hours before Palestinians and other Muslims were to begin the month of daytime fasting, as Hamas repeated demands for a comprehensive cease-fire, which Israel has rejected. Egypt, Qatar and the United States had sought to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas before the start of Ramadan on Monday, and there had been optimism for a last-minute deal that would allow for the release of some Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. But weeks of indirect negotiations have stalled, and a top Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said in a televised speech on Sunday that Hamas wanted an agreement that would end the war, guarantee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, return displaced Palestinians to their homes and provide for the humanitarian needs of Gazans. Israel “wants to get its prisoners back and then resume the war on our people,” he said. Some Palestinians in Gaza have criticized Hamas, arguing the group was holding up negotiations in order to press Israel into freeing more Palestinian prisoners.

Persons: Israel, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel “, ”, Haniyeh Organizations: United States, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Qatar, United, Israel, Gazans

☆ Parties to Cease-Fire Talks Offer Mixed Signals
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

The prediction matched that of President Biden, who said that a deal could come as soon as next week. In public, however, Hamas and Israel are sticking with their longstanding positions and not signaling any breakthrough. The two sides have not met face to face, instead negotiating through mediators in Doha, Cairo and Paris. Qatar’s foreign ministry said this week that talks were ongoing and it was too early to speculate about a resolution. Mr. Haniyeh met on Monday with the emir of Qatar and accused Israel of dragging its feet in the talks, according to a Hamas statement.

Persons: Israel, ”, Ismail Haniyeh, Abdel Fattah el, “ God, Biden, Haniyeh, Basem Naim, —, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, Nada Rashwan, Adam Sella Organizations: West Bank, West Bank Palestinians, New York Times Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Qatar, United States, Doha, Cairo, Paris, Jerusalem, Islam

A top Hamas official on Wednesday appeared to raise the stakes for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, saying the militant group was ready to continue fighting and calling on Palestinians to defy Israeli restrictions and march to the Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to pray at the start of Ramadan. That creates the prospect of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces around the mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam and a longtime flashpoint in relations with Israel. Israel has restricted access to the Aqsa mosque for West Bank Palestinians, and it has severely limited movement within the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza. Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, declined on Wednesday to comment on Mr. Haniyeh’s call for a march to the mosque, which is part of a 35-acre site that is also holy for Jews, who call it the Temple Mount. “I would just say, as it pertains to Al Aqsa, we continue to urge Israel to facilitate access to Temple Mount for peaceful worshipers during Ramadan, consistent with past practice and that’ll continue to be our position,” Mr. Miller said.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Ramadan, Matthew Miller, Haniyeh’s, “, Al Aqsa, ” Mr, Miller Organizations: West Bank, West Bank Palestinians, State Department Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, Israel, Islam

According to Israeli officials, about 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza. Qatar and Egypt have been acting as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas, which do not negotiate directly. The talks had appeared to stall last week, after discussions held in Cairo failed to reach a breakthrough. Mr. Kirby said Mr. McGurk intended to press the Israeli war cabinet for its plans for its military operation in Rafah. Israeli and U.S. officials have argued that an immediate cease-fire would allow Hamas to regroup and fortify in Gaza, and reduce the pressure for making a deal to release hostages held in the territory.

Persons: Biden’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, David Barnea, William Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim, Abbas Kamel, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Israel’s, Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Brett McGurk, Yoav Gallant, “, Brett, ”, John Kirby, McGurk, Mr, ” Mr, Kirby, Gallant, Adam Sella, Cassandra Vinograd Organizations: Qatari, White, Mr, National Security Council, United, Security Locations: U.S, Paris, Gaza, Israel, Thani, Qatar, Egypt, Cairo, Gaza’s, Rafah, Tel Aviv, United States

☆ Netanyahu Halted Gaza Truce Talks Over 'Delusional' Hamas Demands
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has sent negotiators for truce talks in Cairo as requested by U.S. President Joe Biden but they did not go back for further talks because Hamas' demands were "delusional," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday. A round of inconclusive talks in Cairo ended on Tuesday. Asked during a press conference on Saturday why Israeli negotiators did not return for further talks, Netanyahu said: "We got nothing except for delusional demands from Hamas." Regarding the possible "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu said there could not be a "bigger prize for terrorism." Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh has blamed Israel for a lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire deal in Gaza, the group said in a statement on Saturday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Haniyeh, Ari Rabinovitch, Angus MacSwan, Mike Harrison Organizations: U.S Locations: JERUSALEM, Israel, Cairo, Gaza, Jerusalem, Islam, Iran, Palestinian

☆ Hamas demands release of Marwan Barghouti, the 'Palestinian Mandela,' report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewHamas is demanding that Israel releases the high-profile Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti amid tense cease-fire talks, The Associated Press reported. As the most well-known prisoner held by Israel and a potential future Palestinian president, Barghouti's freedom is at the center of negotiations. AdvertisementAccording to the think tank the European Council on Foreign Relations, Barghouti is "often described by Palestinians as the 'Palestinian Mandela.'" He is the most popular politician among Palestinians, ahead of Abbas and Hamas' leader, Ismail Haniyeh, according to an opinion poll published in December. Israel is demanding that Hamas releases over 100 hostages, while the latter is calling for Israel to cease its offensive and release thousands of prisoners.

Persons: —, Marwan Barghouti, Palestinian Mandela, Mahmoud Abbas, Nelson Mandela, Barghouti, Mohamad Torokman, Abbas, Ismail Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Service, Israel, Associated Press, Business, Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs, West Bank, European Council, Foreign Relations, Fatah, REUTERS Locations: Israel, Palestinian, South Africa, Ramallah, Gaza

Now Marwan Barghouti's freedom is at stake in cease-fire negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Hamas leaders demanded Friday that Israel release Barghouti, a leader of the militant group’s main political rival, as part of any deal to end the fighting in Gaza. Israel is seeking the release of more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. With the lives of over 100 hostages now hanging in the balance, there is more pressure than ever on Israel to release Palestinian prisoners. That may make conditions ripe for a deal that could simultaneously win Barghouti’s release and bolster Hamas’ standing among Palestinians.

Persons: — He's, Nelson Mandela, He's, Marwan Barghouti's, Barghouti, “, ”, Qadoura, Osama Hamdan, Benjamin Netanyahu, HaMoked, Hamdan, — Barghouti, Ahmad Saadat, Saadat, Mahmoud Abbas ’ Fatah, Abbas, Fatah, Ismail Haniyeh, Yehya Sinwar, Fares Organizations: JERUSALEM, Israel, Palestinian Ministry of Prisoner Affairs, West Bank, Hamas, Palestinian Authority, West, Bir Zeit University Locations: Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, Hamas, West Bank, Jerusalem —, Kobar, Bir, Jordan

☆ Hamas Unlikely to Reject Ceasefire but Will Demand Israeli Withdrawal -Source
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to pull troops out until "total victory", which he defines as eradicating Hamas. Hamas says it will not sign up to any temporary truce unless Israel commits to a withdrawal and permanent end to the war. "They haven’t entered deep into Al-Mawasi where we live but everyday they get closer," he told Reuters by phone, referring to the western district of Khan Younis along the Mediterranean Coast. Israel, which claims Hamas is using hospitals as command centres, has denied prior Red Crescent claims that it stormed the hospital. Palestinian health officials said medical teams had recovered 14 bodies of Palestinians who were killed near the centre of Khan Younis after some tanks retreated from there.

Persons: Nidal, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Khan Younis, Osama Ahmed, Amal, Israel's, Nidal al, Ari Rabinovitch, Sharon Singleton, Peter Graff Organizations: Hamas, Palestinian, Health, Reuters, Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Al, Crescent, U.S . Navy, U.S . military's, Command Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, Paris, Cairo, Khan, Rafah, Gaza City, Al, Iran, Yemen, Red, Britain, Washington, U.S, Gulf, Aden, Mughrabi, Doha, Tala, Dubai, Jerusalem

Nearly half the hostages were released during a weeklong November cease-fire in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. In December, Israeli forces mistakenly killed three hostages who had escaped and were waving a white flag. HAMAS WANTS THE WAR TO ENDHamas has refused to release more hostages until Israel ends its offensive and withdraws from Gaza. The group's top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said Tuesday that its priority is the “full withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza. These include high-profile militants involved in attacks that killed Israeli civilians.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, —, Israel, ISRAEL'S NETANYAHU, Netanyahu, “, Ismail Haniyeh, Biden Organizations: Health Ministry, Hamas, West Bank, Gaza, —, Democratic, Palestinian Authority Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, U.S, United States, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian

☆ Oil prices edge lower as Hamas considers truce proposal, market monitors U.S. response to attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A view of a gas station which ran out of fuel due to Israeli attacks in Rafah, Gaza on October 25, 2023. The West Texas Intermediate contract for March dropped 79 cents, or 1.03%, to trade at $75.99 a barrel. Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday as Hamas considers a temporary truce in Gaza and the market waits to see how the U.S. will respond to a deadly attack on its soldiers in the Middle East. Biden said the U.S. would hold those "responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing." "We're not looking to escalate the tensions any more than they already have been escalating."

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Brent, Joe Biden, Biden, Lloyd Austin, John Kirby, Kirby Organizations: New York Times, West Texas Intermediate, Traders, Security, White Locations: Rafah, Gaza, U.S, Jordan, Iran, Syria, Iraq, United States, Washington, Tehran

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