This is Beirut

Gaza: Saar Warns About Regional Instability, Ben Gvir Leaves Coalition

This is Beirut, 19/01 16:14 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gideon Saar Israel Hamas Gaza Itamar Ben Gvir

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned on Sunday that the Middle East would remain unstable if the Palestinian militant group Hamas remained in power in the Gaza Strip. "If (Hamas) stays in power, the regional instability it causes might continue," Saar said at a press conference. Speaking as a ceasefire went into effect in Gaza, ...

Israel Recovers Body of Soldier Held in Gaza Since 2014

This is Beirut, 19/01 12:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Gaza Hamas Oron Shaul

Israel announced on Sunday that it had recovered, during a “special operation” in Gaza, the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in action in 2014 and held by Hamas ever since. “During the night (of Saturday to Sunday), in a special operation by the Shin Bet (Israel's internal security agency) and the army (...) we brought the body of ...

Gaza Truce Takes Effect with Nearly a Three-Hour Delay

This is Beirut, 19/01 09:45 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Palestine

After 15 months of war in the Gaza Strip, Israel announced on Sunday the implementation of a ceasefire with Hamas, delayed by nearly three hours due to Hamas publishing the names of hostages scheduled for release that day. The Qatari mediator also confirmed on Sunday the enforcement of the ceasefire in Gaza, noting that the names of the three ...

A Truce Expected in Gaza At 06:30 GMT, After 15 Months Of War

This is Beirut, 19/01 05:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Palestine Benjamin Netanyahu European Union Fatah Hamas

After 15 months of deadly war in the Gaza Strip, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is due to come into force on Sunday morning, followed by the release of hostages, fuelling hopes of a lasting peace despite a warning from Benjamin Netanyahu. A few hours before the deadline, set for 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT), the Israeli Prime Minister ...

Houthis Warn Of ‘Consequences’ Of Any Attack On Yemen During Gaza Truce

This is Beirut, 19/01 03:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Palestine USA Gulf Hamas Houthi

Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday warned opposing forces in the Red Sea of the ‘consequences’ of any attack on their country during the truce in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas. The Iranian-backed rebels, who control large swathes of Yemen and the capital Sanaa, also claimed responsibility for an attack on several warships, ...

Netanyahu Says Israel Reserves ‘Right to Resume War if Necessary’ With US Support

This is Beirut, 18/01 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Hamas Israel Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel reserves the right to resume fighting in Gaza with US support, as he pledged to bring home all hostages held in the Palestinian territory. "We reserve the right to resume the war if necessary, with American support," Netanyahu said in a televised statement, a day before a ...

Egypt Says Israel to Free Over 1,890 Palestinians in First Phase of Gaza Truce

This is Beirut, 18/01 18:15 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Palestine Donald Trump Hamas United States Egypt

Mediator Egypt said Saturday that Israel is to release more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages in the first phase of a Gaza truce. The foreign ministry said the prisoners would be freed during the first, 42-day phase of the ceasefire which is set to begin at 0630 GMT on Sunday. Qatar, which mediated the deal ...

Gaza Ceasefire to Take Effect on Sunday Morning

This is Beirut, 18/01 13:50 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Gaza Hamas Israel Ceasefire

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip will take effect at 06:30 GMT on Sunday morning, Qatar, which helped mediate the deal along with the US, said on Saturday. "As coordinated by the parties to the agreement and the mediators, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will begin at 8:30 am on Sunday, January 19, local time in Gaza," ...

Gaza: Israel Endorses Ceasefire Agreement With Hamas, Truce Begins On Sunday

This is Beirut, 18/01 02:35 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Palestine Hamas Israel Ceasefire

The Israeli government gave the final green light on Saturday to the ceasefire agreement with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, paving the way for a truce to come into force on Sunday, with the release of the first Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees. Announced on Wednesday by Qatar and the United States, the agreement aims to bring ...

Palestinian President Says Ready to Assume 'Full Responsibility' in Gaza

This is Beirut, 17/01 21:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Mahmoud Abbas Gaza Israel Hamas Palestinian Authority

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said on Friday the Palestinian Authority was ready to assume "full responsibility" in post-war Gaza, in his first statement since a ceasefire deal was announced. "The Palestinian government, under president Abbas' directives, has completed all preparations to assume full responsibility in Gaza," including the ...

Israeli Cabinet Convenes to Vote on Gaza Ceasefire Deal

This is Beirut, 17/01 20:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Israel Gaza Hamas ceasefire

Israel's cabinet convened on Friday to vote on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal that should take effect this weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said. The agreement, which was earlier approved by the security cabinet, would halt fighting and bombardment in Gaza's deadliest-ever war. It would also launch on Sunday the ...

Israel Publishes List of 95 Palestinian Prisoners Eligible for Release Starting Sunday

This is Beirut, 17/01 20:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Gaza Hamas Israel

The Israeli Ministry of Justice published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners, the majority women, who are to be freed starting Sunday as part of the first exchange for Israeli captives under a Gaza ceasefire deal. "The release of prisoners is… subject to government approval of the (ceasefire) plan and will not take place before Sunday 16:00 ...

Hamas