The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas judged late Friday evening “ positive » the new proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip associated with the release of hostages, according to a press release.
“Hamas views positively what was included in US President Joe Biden’s speech today regarding a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, reconstruction and the exchange of prisoners “, indicated the Palestinian Islamist movement in this press release.
Read also: War in Gaza: Israel has proposed a new “comprehensive” ceasefire agreement, announces Joe Biden
“It’s time for this war to end” : Joe Biden on Friday called on Hamas to accept a plan to end hostilities in Gaza proposed by Israel, without commenting on the intensification of the Israeli offensive in Rafah, in the south of the territory.
“At this point, Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out an attack similar to that of October 7”he said in a speech from the White House, estimating that the Israeli forces had “ devastated » the Palestinian movement in eight months of war.
“A glimmer of hope” for Gaza
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday welcomed the latest Israeli roadmap for a ceasefire presented by US President Joe Biden. The Israeli proposal “offers a glimmer of hope and possibly a way out of the conflict », Wrote Ms. Baerbock on X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the Israeli road map on Friday “ realistic » for a ceasefire in Gaza presented by President Joe Biden, believing that it offered “a real opportunity” to end the war.
“I completely agree with Biden that the latest proposal provides a real opportunity to move toward an end to the war and civilian suffering in Gaza. This three-step approach is balanced and realistic. She now needs the support of all parties”wrote the President of the Commission on social networks.
Blinken promotes new plan in calls with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey
The head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken promoted on Friday the new road map on Gaza unveiled by Joe Biden with a view to a ceasefire during calls with his counterparts from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Returning from a NATO meeting in Prague, the secretary of state “insisted that Hamas must accept the deal without delay,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. .
Benjamin Netanyahu invited to speak before the US Congress
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited by Republican and Democratic parliamentary leaders to speak to Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday.
“We stand with the State of Israel in its fight against terrorism, especially at this time when Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive and its leaders endanger regional stability,” wrote the four legislative leaders of the House and Senate in their invitation.
Palestinians get more rights at WHO
World Health Organization member countries decided Friday to grant additional rights to Palestinians, echoing a similar decision earlier this month by the United Nations General Assembly.
Member countries meeting this week for the World Health Assembly – the WHO’s highest decision-making body – voted overwhelmingly in favor of a draft resolution aimed at “aligning Palestinian participation” in the WHO with its participation in the UN. Of the 177 countries with the right to vote, 101 supported the text, and five opposed it. The result of the vote, which was done by show of hands, was applauded for a long time.
The resolution, introduced by a group of predominantly Arab and Muslim countries, as well as China, Nicaragua and Venezuela, calls for the Palestinians, who already have observer status with the WHO, to be granted virtually the same rights as if they were full members.
Four people killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Four people, including a rescuer, were killed Friday by Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah and an affiliated organization announced, with the Shiite movement responding with rocket fire towards Israel.
Since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7, pro-Iranian Hezbollah has regularly exchanged fire with the Israeli army in support of its Palestinian ally.
“An Israeli drone targeted an ambulance […] One rescuer was killed and another injured” in Naqoura, a town bordering Israel, the operations room of the Islamic Health Committee, a group affiliated with Hezbollah, told AFP.
