US proposes hostage-to-prisoner ratio in Gaza truce talks: Israeli official

US proposes hostage-to-prisoner ratio in Gaza truce talks: Israeli official

The United States has made a “bridging proposal” for the number of jailed Palestinians that should be released by Israel in exchange for every hostage freed by Hamas in any new Gaza truce, an Israeli official briefed on the Qatar-hosted talks said on Saturday. An Israeli delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea is in … Read more

The first ship to use a new sea route approaches Gaza with 200 tons of aid

The first ship to use a new sea route approaches Gaza with 200 tons of aid

The Open Arms vessel carrying aid sails off the shore of Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from central Gaza Strip, March 15, 2024. | Photo Credit: REUTERS A ship carrying 200 tons of aid approached the coast of Gaza on March 15 in a mission … Read more

Gaza health ministry says war deaths near 30,000 as famine looms

Gaza health ministry says war deaths near 30,000 as famine looms

Children have died of malnutrition in a Gaza hospital, the Hamas-ruled territory’s health ministry said, as its overall toll for Palestinians killed in the almost five-month war neared 30,000. While mediators say a truce deal between Israel and Hamas could be just days away, aid agencies have sounded the alarm about the dire humanitarian conditions … Read more

Western powers tangle over Russian assets at G20 finance meeting

Western powers tangle over Russian assets at G20 finance meeting

Western powers butted heads over how to handle frozen Russian assets on Wednesday as G20 finance ministers kicked off a discussion of challenges for the global economy, trying to set aside deep geopolitical divisions. Brazilian officials hosting the two-day meeting in Sao Paulo sought to focus talks on economic cooperation to tackle issues such as … Read more

‘My hope is that by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire’: US President Biden on Israel-Hamas conflict

‘My hope is that by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire’: US President Biden on Israel-Hamas conflict

US President Joe Biden highlighted that he hopes there will be a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict by “next Monday,” as reported by CNN. He further said that we are close to it but it’s not done yet. “Well, I hope by the beginning of the weekend, I mean, the end of the weekend,” Biden … Read more

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Hamas cease-fire demands, vows to fight until 'absolute victory'

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Hamas cease-fire demands, vows to fight until 'absolute victory'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 7 rejected Hamas’ terms for a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement, calling them “delusional,” a position that complicates efforts to strike a deal between the sides. Mr. Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with Israel’s war against Hamas, now in its fifth month, until achieving “absolute victory.” Mr. Netanyahu made … Read more

Saudi Arabia says there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel without an independent Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia says there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel without an independent Palestinian state

Saudi Arabia has told the U.S. its position stands that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem, and Israeli “aggression” on the Gaza Strip stops, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. On Tuesday, White House National … Read more

Israel vows to stop UN agency’s activities in Gaza after war

Israel vows to stop UN agency’s activities in Gaza after war

Israel vowed Saturday to stop the UN humanitarian aid agency in Gaza from operating after the war, and called for its chief to resign, after the sacking of staff accused of involvement in the October 7 attack. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said Friday it had fired several employees over Israel’s accusations, promising … Read more

Oil markets brace for shipping disruption in southern Red Sea

Oil markets brace for shipping disruption in southern Red Sea

The oil market appears to be bracing for a weeks-long disruption to shipping in the southern Red Sea, where Houthi militants have for months been attacking merchant vessels in response to Israel‘s war in Gaza. Charters of tankers to haul crude and fuels – which for some vessels are arranged up to a month in … Read more