Middle East Crisis

Gaza War
Hamas: US ceasefire proposal insufficient

The US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza does not meet Hamas' demands, the terror-labelled group said according to AFP.

The proposal means "a continuation of the killing and starvation [...] and does not meet any of our people's demands, the most important of which is to stop the war and starvation," said Bassem Naim, spokesman for Hamas' political wing.

He added that they continue to study and discuss the proposal, which involves Hamas releasing ten live hostages and 18 bodies in two installments over a week. Israel has accepted it.

Israel accepts new US ceasefire proposal

Israel accepts the latest US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, Netanyahu said according to Reuters.

The proposal involves Hamas releasing ten live hostages and 18 bodies in two installments over a week. In return, Israel will withdraw from recently captured areas in Gaza and release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas says it is reviewing the proposal. A source close to the group tells the Jerusalem Post that it wants changes.

West Bank
Israel approves 22 new settlements in the West Bank

Israel has approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, the AP reports. The decision includes both new settlements and the legalization of areas previously built without government permission.

The decision “enshrines our historic right to the land of Israel and constitutes a crushing response to Palestinian terrorism,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

Israel has built more than 100 settlements in the West Bank, where about half a million Israeli settlers now live. Last year, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the Israeli settlements violate international law.

Ireland wants to ban trade with Israeli settlers

The Irish government is working on a bill to ban trade with Israeli settlements that are considered illegal under international law, AFP reports.

The bill applies to trade with individuals, companies and agriculture in the settlements that lie outside Israel's internationally recognized borders. Foreign Minister Simon Harris says he hopes more EU countries will follow suit.

Ireland has been one of the harshest critics of Israel's war in Gaza. A year ago, the country recognized the Palestinian state, which led Israel to close its embassy in Dublin, condemn the Irish government's policy and recall Ireland's ambassador to Israel.