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Hamas official accuses Israel of ‘turning against’ mediators’ truce proposal
Hamas wants a real captives-for-prisoners swap, but Netanyahu instead wants the war on Gaza to continue, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya says.
“Hamas did not suspend nor withdraw from the [ceasefire] negotiations. The occupation [Israel] turned against the mediators’ proposal,” al-Hayya said in comments to Al Araby TV.
The Palestinian group said earlier efforts to agree to a Gaza truce are now “back at square one” after Israel effectively rejected a proposal by international mediators this week.
Gaza ceasefire ‘is possible’, White House spokesman says
John Kirby says it’s “deeply regrettable” that a ceasefire agreement has not yet been reached but stressed Washington is “working hard to keep both sides engaged in continuing the discussion, if only virtually”.
In-person talks on a deal have concluded for now after Israel rejected a proposal that was accepted by Hamas and launched an assault on Rafah this week.
“We still believe that a deal is possible,” Kirby told reporters.
The White House spokesman also said the US is watching Israel’s military operations in Rafah “with concern”, and he urged the Israelis to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt for humanitarian aid immediately.
Colombia’s leader Petro urges ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu, whose government he described as “genocidal” in its war in Gaza.
The outspoken leftist leader last week announced his country is severing diplomatic ties with Israel over its attack on Gaza.
“Netanyahu will not stop the genocide. That implies an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court,” Petro wrote on X.
He added the UN Security Council “must begin to consider the establishment of a peacekeeping force in the territory of Gaza.”
Israel responded to the severing of diplomatic ties by describing Petro as “anti-Semitic and hateful,” saying his stance amounted to handing a reward to Hamas.
