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Trump Threatens Hamas with ‘Complete Obliteration’ If It Refuses to Relinquish Gaza

This is Beirut, 16:42 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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US President Donald Trump told CNN via text message that Hamas faces “complete obliteration!” if it attempts to cling to power in Gaza. When asked about claims that Hamas had effectively rejected his proposal by refusing disarmament and setting conditions for a hostage release, Trump replied, “We will find out. Only time will ...

Israel Defense Minister Says about 900,000 Palestinians Displaced from Gaza City

This is Beirut, 12:40 - Reading : less than a minute

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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that the military's offensive in Gaza City has so far displaced approximately 900,000 Palestinians. "The decision to occupy Gaza, the collapse of multi-story buildings, and the intensity of Israeli army operations in the city have led to the evacuation of roughly 900,000 residents to the south, ...

Trump Envoys Head to Egypt as Hamas Agrees to Free Gaza Hostages

This is Beirut, 04/10 19:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Two envoys of US President Donald Trump headed to Egypt on Saturday to discuss the release of hostages in Gaza, after Hamas agreed to his ceasefire proposal, while Israeli forces launched deadly strikes across the territory. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff were expected to finalize details on the release of hostages and ...

Gaza Peace Plan: Key Reactions to Hamas's Response

This is Beirut, 04/10 16:24 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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International reactions have been pouring in following Hamas's positive response on Friday to US President Donald Trump's plan to free Israeli hostages in Gaza and end the nearly two-year conflict. Here are some of the main reactions from around the world: United States "Based on the statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for ...

Israeli Army Still Operating in Gaza Despite Calls for Ceasefire

This is Beirut, 04/10 14:24 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Israel said Saturday its troops were still operating in Gaza and warned residents not to return, despite calls from the families of Israeli hostages and US President Donald Trump for an immediate halt to the fighting. Trump issued the appeal to the key US ally after Palestinian militant group Hamas said it was ready to release all hostages and ...

Hamas Says Ready to Free Gaza Hostages Under Trump Ceasefire Proposal

This is Beirut, 03/10 23:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Hamas Says Ready to Free Gaza Hostages Under Trump Ceasefire Proposal Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas said Friday it was willing to release all hostages held in Gaza under the framework laid out in US President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal. "The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages—living and ...

Are Things Looking Brighter for the Middle East?

David Hale , 03/10 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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A year after Israel defanged Hezbollah, and in the wake of the annual opening of the UN General Assembly and several developments related to the Middle East, it may be a good time to take stock. In my 38-year career of diplomacy in the Middle East, anytime someone expressed optimism, I would suggest a head examination might be in order. However, ...

Trump Gives Hamas Until 2200 GMT Sunday to Agree to Gaza Deal

This is Beirut, 03/10 17:55 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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US President Donald Trump has given Hamas until 2200 GMT on Sunday to accept his 20-point plan for peace in Gaza, warning the Palestinian militant group faced "all hell" if it did not agree to the terms. The US leader set the deadline -which would fall at 1:00 a.m. Monday in Gaza- after an official for the Islamist movement told AFP ...

Hamas Official says Group Still Needs Time to Study Trump's Gaza Plan

This is Beirut, 03/10 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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A Hamas official told AFP on Friday that the group still needed time to study a plan for Gaza put forward by US President Donald Trump and backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Hamas is still continuing consultations regarding Trump's plan... and has informed mediators that the consultations are ongoing and need some time," the ...

France FM Says Hamas Must Accept 'Surrender' Under Trump Gaza Plan

This is Beirut, 02/10 20:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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France's top diplomat said Thursday that Hamas had lost its fight in Gaza and must accept "surrender" under a plan put forward by US President Donald Trump. The Palestinian militant group is currently weighing its response to the Trump plan, which has been publicly endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Hamas bears a very heavy ...

Gaza Civil Defence Says 13 Killed in Israeli Strikes

This is Beirut, 02/10 14:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Israeli strikes killed at least 13 people across Gaza on Thursday, the territory's civil defence agency said, including an employee of the French charity Doctors Without Borders. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal, whose rescue agency operates under Hamas authority, said 10 people were killed in several air raids in central Gaza, while two ...

After Gaza, Eyes Turn to Hezbollah and Iran

Marc Saikali, 02/10 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Donald Trump has unveiled his peace plan for Gaza. The Israelis accepted it, and the international community applauded – sometimes hesitantly, but applauded nonetheless. The question now is Hamas. The group remains undecided. We are not immune to yet another historic misstep on their part – one more in a long series – that could prolong ...

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