Author: Steven Sahiounie

Israel’s national security minister, well known for his anti-Palestinian beliefs, says he’s opposed to the deal, arguing that Hamas’s approval “indicates that the army is carrying out an effective attack”. Ben-Gvir added in a social media post that the Israeli army had to “continue fighting to subject [Hamas] to our conditions”. The Jewish Power party leader joins his fellow far-right minister, Religious Zionist party leader Bezalel Smotrich, in opposing the deal. Both are members of Israel’s security cabinet and main government cabinet, which are meeting on Tuesday to discuss approval of the deal. Far-right parliamentarians argued on Monday with family…

Members of parliament in Scotland voted to pass a motion to back calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, after a moving and largely consensual debate. Ninety MPs voted in favor and 28 against, with all parties except for the Scottish Torries backing the motion. Source: AlJazeera

In the latest series of attacks, Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli tank position and Israeli soldiers in the north of the country, as well as a military base in Beit Hilal and a missile factory in Shlomi. The Israeli military, meanwhile, said several interceptors were launched at suspicious aircraft in the Western Galilee area. It also said it targeted an anti-tank launcher and other Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Earlier in the day, several people were killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon, including three journalists, the Lebanese government reported. Source: AlJazeera

According to the Russian leader, BRICS nations and the countries of the region could play a key role in this work . The international community should join forces to find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. “Russia’s position is consistent and does not change with the situation. We urge the international community to join forces in order to ease tensions, ensure a ceasefire and find a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he noted, addressing an extraordinary summit of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). According to Putin, “BRICS nations and…

“We called for an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities,” says a statement from the leaders of the BRICS group of nations. Leaders of BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – participated in a recent summit alongside leaders from countries that are set to join the club for emerging economies: Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The new members will join in January 2024. Source: AlJazeera

Israel’s army radio said 10 launches had been detected, with one rocket falling in the city of Ness Ziona. No casualties were reported. Hamas said it had launched a barrage of rockets. The attack comes after the group said it fired rockets on Tel Aviv yesterday, the first time since Friday. Source: AlJazeera

Yoav Gallant made the comment as Israel’s war cabinet is due to convene at 16:00 GMT to discuss a possible truce that could result in the exchange of captives for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. “I think we will all have to make difficult, important decisions in the coming days,” the defence minister said during an assessment of the war with military officials. “There is not a moment throughout this campaign – 45 days – that I don’t think about the hostages.” Source: AlJazeera

“We have been working on getting hostages out for weeks. We’re now very close,” the US president told reporters. “We could bring some of those hostages home soon, but nothing is done until everything is done,” he added. According to an unnamed US official who spoke to Reuters, the deal being discussed would see the release of 50 Hamas-held captives, mostly women and children, in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners and a pause in fighting of four or five days. “We believe we are very, very close to having a deal,” the official told Reuters. “There is still a lot…

The top Russian diplomat noted that when it comes to the fight against terrorism, there is a need to use methods that neither suggest collective punishment nor run counter to international humanitarian law Russia does not support terrorism in any form but does not believe the fight against it should violate humanitarian law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, commenting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “I would like to reiterate that we condemn each and every form of terrorism but when it comes to the fight against terrorism, there is a need to use methods that neither suggest collective punishment nor…

The European Commission says a review of its development aid to Palestinians has found no evidence of funds going to Hamas. It added that its programme would continue without any delays. “The review found no indications of EU money having directly or indirectly benefitted the terrorist organisation Hamas,” said Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis. Source: AlJazeera