Israel-Gaza live updates Israeli hostage Noa Argamani
As the Israel-Gaza war crosses the seven-month mark, negotiations are apparently stalled to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, and Israeli forces continue to launch incursions in the southern Gazan town of Rafah ahead of a possible large-scale invasion. xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp xmp
Israel says ‘conditions for ending the war have not changed’
Although President Joe Biden on Friday outlined a multi-phase cease-fire proposal he said came from Israel, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement Saturday that “Israel’s conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
“Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent cease-fire is put in place,” the statement said. “The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent cease-fire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter.”
PHOTO: An Israeli armored personnel carrier (APC) operates, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near Israel’s border with Gaza in southern Israel, May 29, 2024.
An Israeli armored personnel carrier (APC) operates, amid the ongoing conflict between…Read More
Biden said Friday that Israelis should feel comfortable with a cease-fire because Hamas’s capabilities have deteriorated and can no longer repeat the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.
Hamas in a statement reiterated its requirements for a deal. Hamas said it “affirms its position of readiness to deal positively and constructively with any proposal based on a permanent cease-fire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, the return of the displaced to all their places of residence, and the completion of a serious prisoner exchange deal.”
Israel-Gaza leaders formally invite Netanyahu to deliver joint address
The four leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate formally invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a joint address to Congress.
The letter sent on Friday by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell did not provide a date with the address.
The congressional leaders asked Netanyahu to “share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region.”
MORE: Speaker Johnson moving ahead on Netanyahu invite to address Congress in wake of possible ICC warrant
“The existential challenges we face, including the growing partnership between Iran, Russia, and China, threaten the security, peace, and prosperity of our countries and of free people around the world,” the letter read.
Netanyahu last addressed Congress in 2015.
Israel-Gaza ‘united’ in desire to return hostages, Netanyahu responds to Biden
Hours after President Joe Biden outlined a three-phase cease-fire deal to end the Israel-Hamas war and said it is time to bring the hostages home, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded, saying its government “united in the desire to return abductees.”
“The Israeli government united in the desire to return our abductees as soon as possible and is working to achieve this goal,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Friday.
“The Prime Minister authorized the negotiating team to present an outline for achieving this goal, while insisting that the war will not end until all of its goals achieved, including the return of all our abductees and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities,” Netanyahu’s office added.
Biden pitches 3-phase cease-fire deal to end Israel-Hamas war
President Joe Biden gave remarks from the White House on Friday, presenting an Israeli proposal to draw the war in Gaza to a close.
Biden said the deal had transmitted to Israel and Hamas, through Qatar.
The president said the first phase would last for six weeks and include a “full and complete cease-fire. A withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza [and] release of a number of hostages.” Palestinians would also be able to return to their homes and 600 trucks of humanitarian aid would delivered to Gaza every day.
PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the verdict in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial and on the Middle East, from the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, May 31, 2024, in Washington.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the verdict in former President Donald Trump’s…Read More
The second phase would include a release of all remaining living hostages and the temporary cease-fire would become a permanent. Cease-fire with Israel withdrawing all forces from Gaza “as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments,” Biden said.
“The Israeli government united in the desire to return our abductees as soon as possible and is working to achieve this goal,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Friday.
“The Prime Minister authorized the negotiating team to present an outline for achieving this goal, while insisting that the war will not end until all of its goals achieved, including the return of all our abductees and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities,” Netanyahu’s office added.
In phase three, there would be a major reconstruction of Gaza.
“At this point Hamas no longer is capable of carrying out another Oct. 7, which was one of the Israelis’ main objectives in this war, and, quite frankly, a righteous one,” Biden said.
Biden continued, “We can’t lose this moment. Indefinite war in pursuit of an unidentified notion of total victory … will only bog down Israel in Gaza — draining the economic, military and human resources and furthering Israel’s isolation in the world. That will not bring hostages home.”
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