Israeli opposition leader: Ceasefire must be implemented
Israeli politician Yair Lapid says that there is a ceasefire deal on the table that must be accepted and implemented.
He said that the Israeli negotiating team and the army chief of staff agree with this position, adding that Hamas has expressed readiness for either a full or partial deal to return the Israeli captives still held in Gaza and end the war.
“The government is not trying to return the abductees and would rather destroy the Gaza towers than return our children,” Lapid said.
Negotiations have been stalled for months as reports indicate that Israel had not even responded to the latest ceasefire proposal presented by mediators, opting instead to pursue its campaign of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli court extends administrative detention for journalist Ali al-Samoudi
An Israeli court has extended administrative detention for Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi, who was scheduled for release last Thursday.
Al-Samoudi was arrested from his home in the northern West Bank city of Jenin on April 29. His family told Al Jazeera that the court will hold a second hearing to confirm the verdict in 12 days.
The journalist, a regular contributor for Al-Quds newspaper who also worked extensively with Al Jazeera, was working with Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh when she was shot and killed by the Israeli army in the Jenin refugee camp. Al-Samoudi was also wounded at the same time as Abu Akleh, though he survived being shot.
The International Federation of Journalists and other watchdog groups have condemned his arrest. The administrative detention system is used by the Israeli army to prolong detention without trial or charges.
Jordanian king rejects any Israeli move to annex West Bank
King Abdullah II of Jordan has reaffirmed his country’s firm opposition to any Israeli moves to take over Palestinian territory during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, the royal palace said.
Abdullah reiterated “Jordan’s absolute refusal of any Israeli measures aimed at annexing the West Bank and forcing Palestinians to leave”.
He also rejected any plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza or to separate the two Palestinian territories.
The message came after several Israeli officials suggested that the country could proceed with the annexation of large tracts of the territory in response to moves by Western governments to recognise Palestinian statehood this month.
The UAE warned this week that annexation would be a “red line”.
