Israel approves first phase of Gaza deal
The Israeli government has approved the plan “for the release of all captives”, Netanyahu’s office says in a brief post on social media.
Top US envoys Witkoff, Kushner praise Netanyahu
Both Kushner and Witkoff have been heaping thanks on the Israeli prime minister, who has faced mass protests in Israel for months demanding he agree to end Israel’s war on Gaza.
Netanyahu did “a great job in negotiations”, Kushner told the Israeli leader, while Witkoff added that Netanyahu had the “tough job”.
“He had the job of protecting this country. He had the job of making tough choices with regard to how tough to be with Hamas, when to be flexible and not to be flexible,” said Witkoff, adding that Trump “believes that”, too.
The families of Israeli captives in Gaza have accused Netanyahu of blocking efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement that would see their loved ones released. Many have accused the Israeli prime minister of prolonging the war for his own political gain.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several other Israeli officials at an Israeli cabinet meeting on a Gaza ceasefire.
Scum of the earth.
US sending 200 troops to support ceasefire, official tells AP
A senior US official has told The Associated Press news agency that the US is deploying about 200 troops to help support and monitor the ceasefire deal.
The unnamed official said the troops would be deployed to Israel, where US Central Command will establish a “civil-military coordination center”.
The official said the command will help facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid as well as logistical and security assistance into Gaza. The official said no US troops would be sent to the Palestinian enclave.
The troops will be part of a team that includes partner nations, nongovernmental organisations and private sector players, US officials said Thursday.
The US deployed about 100 troops to Israel last year to help operate Israel’s air defence systems.
Trump, like Biden, has been partner in Israel’s Gaza genocide
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, has stressed that it’s important to remember that the US has been a key partner in Israel’s war on Gaza since the beginning.
“The United States under Trump, like under Biden before him, was complicit in genocide. It armed Israel, financed Israel and protected Israel in the diplomatic arena as it carried [out] genocide,” Bishara said.
“For the United States to stop doing that, that’s not something to be praised for.”
Trump is still protecting Israel, the peace plan is all about Israel and continued occupation of Gaza.
But lets get the prisoners out first and much needed aid in. Hopefully a lot of aid can be brought in in the next few days.
