Tag: Palestine

  • Netanyahu rejects idea of creating Palestinian state

    Netanyahu rejects idea of creating Palestinian state

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office  on Tuesday said that he rejected the idea of creating a Palestinian state, calling it a future “Iranian stronghold of terrorism.’’

    He said this during a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.

    “During the conversation, the Prime Minister expressed fierce opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, and said that this will constitute a huge prize for terrorism,’’ the statement said.

    Netanyahu recalled that no Palestinian leader, including the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, has yet condemned the attack by the Hamas movement on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

    “The Prime Minister told the President of France that a Palestinian state will be established just a few minutes from Israeli cities and will become an Iranian stronghold of terrorism,” the statement added.

    Last week, Macron said that his country might recognise the state of Palestine in June.

    France, together with Saudi Arabia, intends to hold a peace conference on the Gaza Strip in June to “finalise this movement of recognition,’’ the president said.

    In July 2024, Israeli parliament approved by a majority vote a declaration against the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank.

    The document stated that Israel would resist attempts to unilaterally impose the creation of a Palestinian state.

  • Israel releases first 90 Palestinian prisoners in ceasefire deal

    Israel releases first 90 Palestinian prisoners in ceasefire deal

    The first 90 Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel under the terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal were freed hours after an agreement took effect on Sunday.

    This is to halt the fighting that has devastated the coastal territory; local media cited Israeli authorities as confirming.

    Local media outlets, including the Times of Israel, cited the prison authority as confirming the release, saying that most of the freed prisoners were women and minors.

    The majority of the detainees came from the West Bank, while others were from East Jerusalem, according to the reports.

    Palestinian media has showed the footage and pictures of what they said were released prisoners arriving in Ramallah.

    On Sunday, the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas released the first three Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement.

    They were transferred by the Palestinian militant group Hamas to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Sunday afternoon.

    Among those transferred were three women, named by the Israeli military as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher.

    They were then transferred to Israeli forces and transported to a hospital in Tel Aviv, where they were greeted by family.

    A Hamas spokesman had confirmed that four more Israeli hostages would be released next Saturday.

    This will be part of the deal to exchange 33 hostages for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails over the course of six weeks.

    Following months of stalemate in the 15-month Gaza war, a three-stage ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was brokered on Wednesday, capping months-long efforts by the U.S.

    Others are; Egypt and Qatar to mediate between the warring parties.

    The first stage of the ceasefire agreement also foresaw the Israeli military withdrawing from densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip.

  • France rejects recognising Palestinian state at present

    France rejects recognising Palestinian state at present

    France’s Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné has rejected the idea of recognising Palestine as a state at the moment.

    “Our position is clear:  recognition of Palestine is not taboo for France,” the minister said on Wednesday after a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz in Paris.

    The minister, however, said that  decision in favour of the recognition must be beneficial and would be made at the right time.

    He said that such a decision should  enable decisive progress at the political level.

    “It is not just a symbolic question or a question of political positioning, but a diplomatic instrument in the service of a solution with two states living side-by-side in peace and security.

    “France does not believe that the conditions have been met to date for this decision to have a real impact on this process,” Séjourné said.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Norway, Ireland and Spain said they would recognise Palestine as a state on May 28.

    Katz’s visit to Paris followed France’s position in favour of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which chief prosecutor applied for arrest warrants on Monday against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

    The Paris Foreign Ministry stated that it supported the ICC, its independence and the fight against impunity in all situations.

    After the meeting with Katz, Séjourné wrote on X: “I reaffirmed France’s priorities: immediate release of the hostages, ceasefire, massive humanitarian aid and two states living in peace and security.”

  • Spain to join Norway, Ireland in recognising Palestinian state

    Spain to join Norway, Ireland in recognising Palestinian state

    Spain is set to announce its recognition of an independent Palestinian state, sources said on Wednesday.

    Already, Norway and Ireland have announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere saying on Wednesday that the recognition “is in the hope that this will help bring peace with Israel”.

    European Union members Slovenia and Malta have also indicated in recent weeks that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.

    “In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other,” Stoere told a news conference.

    Before the announcement, some 143 out of 193 member-states of the United Nations recognised a Palestinian state.

    European countries have approached the issue differently.

    Some, like Sweden, recognised a Palestinian state a decade ago, while France is not planning to do so unless it can be an effective tool to make progress toward peace.

    The moves come as Israeli forces have led assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip in May, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people, and sharply restricting the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

    Non-EU member Norway has long said it would recognise Palestine as a country only if it could have a positive impact on the peace process, in step with what the United States has said on the issue.

    Norway is a close U.S. ally, and the Nordic country has sought to help broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians on several occasions in recent decades.

  • Norway to recognise Palestinian statehood May 28

    Norway to recognise Palestinian statehood May 28

    Norway will formally recognise Palestinian statehood on May 28, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Wednesday, in a move staunchly opposed by Israel.

    The Nordic country’s announcement comes amid a broader push within several European countries, such as Ireland, to recognise Palestine as a state, believing it will advance the prospects for peace in the region.

    The government in Israel rejects any unilateral attempts to impose a Palestinian state.

    “Recognising a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardise any prospects for peace,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said this week.

  • U.S. again to veto UN General Assembly membership for Palestine

    U.S. again to veto UN General Assembly membership for Palestine

    The United States will again block attempts to grant Palestinians increased rights in the United Nations General Assembly.

    The United States said that in spite of the expectations of a large majority favour in a vote to be taken in New York on Friday.

    Nate Evans, spokesman for the U.S. Mission to the UN, indicated that the U.S. would again use its veto as it last did on April 18. Palestine currently holds only “observer” status at the world body.

    “Should the General Assembly adopt this resolution and refer the Palestinian membership application back to the Security Council, we expect a similar outcome to what occurred in April,” he said.

    A majority of the UN’s 193 member states are expected to vote in favour of a resolution granting Palestine significantly extended rights to participate in the sessions of the UN General Assembly.

    The draft resolution does not grant Palestine regular voting rights.

    Adoption of the resolution would also likely increase pressure to grant Palestine full membership.

    The UN General Assembly had recognised Palestine as an observer state in 2012 in spite resistance from the United States.

    Palestine and the Vatican are the only two non-member states with observer status in the body.

    The resolution, which was introduced by the United Arab Emirates but drafted by the Palestinians, has been the source of disagreements at UN headquarters in New York for weeks.

    The text states that the General Assembly has determined that the “State of Palestin. Should be admitted to membership of the United Nations.

    “It also recommends that the UN Security Council, which holds decisive power over UN membership, “reconsider the matter favourably.”

    Dpa has obtained the text of the draft resolution, although the provisions and language of the resolution could still change as negotiations continue.

    The move by the 193-member UN General Assembly in New York, which comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, is also a reflection of international opinion on the Middle East conflict.

    UN diplomats believe that the resolution will easily achieve the necessary two-thirds majority of all votes cast in the General Assembly.

    While, the influential United States, as well as China and Russia, fear a loss of control in the upgrading of regions whose statehood is disputed.

    All three countries hold veto powers at the Security Council.

  • Asian Cup: War ravaged Palestine secure quarter-final ticket on debut competition

    Asian Cup: War ravaged Palestine secure quarter-final ticket on debut competition

    War ravaged Palestine have proved bookmakers wrong by clinching a quarter-final ticket at the ongoing Asian cup holding in Qatar.

    This event is unprecedented in the history of Palestine at Asia’s most important football tournament.

    Not only did Palestine make it into the round of 16 of the Asian Cup for the first time in their history, but they have also achieved their first Asian Cup win, and a historic win at that.

    Palestine secured the win comfortably over Hong Kong, winning 3 goals to nil with goals coming courtesy of Oday Dabbagh, who scored twice, and Zaid Qunbar.

    The Palestinian team, known as ‘Al Fidaii’ – the Freedom Fighter – had 67% possession of the ball, in addition to countless chances as they controlled much of the game.

    “It was all Palestine tonight,” the English commentator said on CBS Sports’ coverage of the game.

    The first goal came off of a beautiful cross from Mus’ab al-Batat, that was met with a textbook header from Oday Dabbagh to put the Lions of Canaan up in the 12th minute.

  • Israel- Hamas: Palestinian gunmen kill three Israelis, injure several others at Jerusalem bus stop

    Israel- Hamas: Palestinian gunmen kill three Israelis, injure several others at Jerusalem bus stop

    The City of Jerusalem in Israel was on early Thursday morning thrown into pandemonium as two gunmen unleashed a hail of gunfire at a bus stop in the city.

    Three persons lost their lives and 6 others injured with 5 of them in critical condition.

    Video showed the attackers getting out of a car on a highway and shooting at people with a rifle and a pistol.

    Off-duty soldiers and a civilian at the scene killed the gunmen, who police said were from occupied East Jerusalem.

    Hamas claimed the pair as its members and said the attack was a response to Israeli “crimes” in Gaza and elsewhere.

    Subsequent investigations revealed ammunition and weapons inside their vehicle.

    Security camera footage broadcasted by Israel’s Channel 12  captured the moments of the attack, showing the gunmen exiting a white car, brandishing firearms, and advancing towards the crowd.

    The footage concludes with the attackers being confronted and taken down.

    The gunmen are said to be brothers linked to Hamas terrorists and have both spent time in Israeli prison for terror offences.

    Emergency services, including the Israeli ambulance service and Magen David Adom, promptly responded to the scene. Eight seriously wounded victims were evacuated to nearby hospitals.

    Tragically, a 24-year-old woman, a 73-year-old man in critical condition, and another individual succumbed to their injuries.

    The incident unfolded just as Israel and Hamas agreed to extend a truce for the seventh day, moments before its expiration.

    The Israeli military announced the continuation of the temporary pause in fighting in the Gaza Strip.

  • Temporary Ceasefire: Israel, Palestine free 63 hostages

    Temporary Ceasefire: Israel, Palestine free 63 hostages

    Following the temporary cease fire afreed by both sides about 39 Palestinian women and children detainees from Israeli jails were on Friday evening released as they have been held hostage for weeks following the crisis between both countries.

    Similarly, some convicted prisoners who had been jailed for attempted murder for attacks on Israeli forces, and 15 teenagers jailed for offenses such as throwing stones were released by Israel on Friday evening.

    The Guardian UK noted that some may not have seen their families for many years.

    Moreso, a certain number of Israelis held hostage were also released to team up with their families and friends.

    This recent hostage freedom is part of the temporary truce made by both parties hostages in the war-ravaged Gaza.

    The released hostages underwent an initial medical assessment inside Israeli territory. They will continue to be accompanied by IDF soldiers as they make their way to Israeli hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families, Axios’ Barak Ravid confirmed in a statement.

    It was gathered that four German-Israeli dual nationals were among the hostages released from Gaza, Saturday.

    The released hostages whose family members said they had dual citizenship were: Aviv Asher, two; Raz Asher, four; and Doron Katz-Asher, 34; as well as Margalit Mozes, 77.

    Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, on the sidelines of a Greens’ party conference, confirmed four dual nationals were among those released, Deutsche Welle reported.

    The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari has held a news conference where he said the released hostages – 13 Israelis and 11 foreigners – have all undergone medical tests and are in good condition.

    The freed hostages are being taken to Hatzerim airbase to complete physical and mental checkups, and to call their families, the Times of Israel reported.

    The foreigners, from Thailand and the Philippines, will meet representatives of their nations, he said.

    Thirteen Israeli hostages captured during Palestinian militants’ cross-border raids were back in Israeli territory where they would undergo medical checks before being reunited with their families, the army said.

    They included four children and six elderly women, a list issued by the Israeli prime minister’s office showed.

    A convoy of Red Cross vehicles crossed the border between Gaza and Egypt, with some of the passengers waving, after Hamas handed over the hostages to the humanitarian organisation.

     

    Israel is set to free three times as many Palestinian prisoners — women and teenage boys — under a deal that followed weeks of talks involving Israel, Palestinian militant groups, Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

    During a four-day truce, at least 50 hostages are expected to be freed, leaving an estimated 190 in the hands of Palestinian militants.

    In exchange, 150 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released.

  • Israel v Palestine: Swiss government introduces law banning Hamas

    Israel v Palestine: Swiss government introduces law banning Hamas

    The government of the European nation of Switzerland, has announced that it would bring forward a draft law by the end of February explicitly banning Hamas activities or support for the Palestinian militant group within the country.

    “The Federal Council decided to draft a federal act banning Hamas, considering this to be the most appropriate response to the situation that has prevailed in the Middle East since October 7,” the government said in a statement.

    “The act will provide the federal authorities with the necessary tools to counter any Hamas activities or support for the organisation in Switzerland.”

    Recall that On October 7, Hamas gunmen launched the worst attack in Israel’s history that left around 1,200 people dead, most of them civilians, according to the Israeli government.

    Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups also took an estimated 240 Israelis and foreigners hostage.

    Israel declared war on Hamas, vowing to bring the hostages home and to destroy the militant group.

    It launched a major bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza, which, according to the Hamas government, has killed 14,100 people, thousands of them children.

    The seven-member Swiss government is formed by ministers from the four biggest parties, and lawmakers in parliament are likely to swing strongly behind the draft law, given the positions of the major parties.

    The hard-right Swiss People’s Party, the biggest in the country, has been strongly pushing for a ban.

    The Swiss government called Wednesday for respect for international humanitarian law and particularly the protection of civilians.

    It “reiterated its condemnation of the Hamas terrorist attacks in the strongest possible terms” and voiced “deep sorrow” for the thousands of civilians who have lost their lives since.

    Switzerland “recognises Israel’s right to ensure its own defence and security”, it added.

    “In view of the dramatic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the Federal Council stresses the need to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access. Humanitarian pauses are necessary for this purpose.”

    Bern reiterated the need to restore the prospect of a political framework in the region, based on a two-state solution.

    “This approach is the only viable path towards ensuring that both the Palestinian and Israeli populations can coexist peacefully, securely and with dignity,” it said.