Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Middle East

Gaza Cease-Fire Deal’s Long-Term Future Is Bleak, Analysts Say

Despite threats from Hamas and President Trump, officials and analysts in Gaza remain hopeful that the truce will continue past the weekend, despite Hamas delaying the release of Israeli hostages and Trump's retaliatory remarks. The deal's fragility is evident, with Netanyahu hesitant to negotiate an extension and Hamas unwilling to disarm, leading to concerns of a larger crisis in March. While aid delivery disputes persist, the perception that Netanyahu is stalling negotiations further complicates the situation, with Hamas attempting to accelerate aid delivery and force earnest negotiations, potentially in response to Trump's vision for Gaza's future. Full Article

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Trump Says He Could Cut Aid to Jordan and Egypt Over Gaza Development Plan

President Trump threatened to cut aid to Jordan and Egypt if they did not agree to permanently take in Palestinians from Gaza, escalating tensions in the region. He also warned Hamas to release Israeli hostages by a certain deadline or risk the cease-fire being canceled. Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt has sparked controversy and could have significant implications for these nations. Full Article

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Trump warns of ‘all hell’ if Gaza captives not freed by Saturday

US President Donald Trump set a Saturday deadline for the release of all hostages from Gaza, threatening to cancel the Israel-Hamas ceasefire if not met, stating "all hell" would break out. Trump's ultimatum came after Hamas delayed further hostage-prisoner exchanges, jeopardizing the six-week truce. He also warned of halting aid to Jordan and Egypt if they don't accept Palestinians under his plan to "take over" Gaza, with potential repercussions for US allies and a meeting scheduled with Jordan's King Abdullah II. Full Article

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Dozens of Palestinian families flee Israeli operation in West Bank

Dozens of Palestinian families fled Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank as Israel conducted a military operation, resulting in demolitions and casualties. The Israeli military targeted "terrorist infrastructure" in the region, leading to widespread fear and displacement among residents. The violence in the West Bank has escalated since the Gaza war, with hundreds of Palestinians and Israelis killed in attacks and military operations. Full Article

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Israeli Police Raid Two Palestinian Bookshops in East Jerusalem

The Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem, a cultural hub hosting events and selling books on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, was raided by Israeli police who arrested two family members. The police claimed that books sold at the store, including a children's coloring book, could incite violence. Despite denial from the family and supporters, the arrests are seen as part of a larger crackdown on Palestinian free speech and cultural activities by Israeli authorities, prompting widespread condemnation and concerns about escalating tensions. Full Article

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Tunisian on trial in France over deadly 2020 Nice church attack

Brahim Aouissaoui, a Tunisian man, is on trial in Paris for stabbing three people to death in a church in Nice in 2020 in a "terrorist" plot. Aouissaoui, armed with a kitchen knife, almost decapitated a worshipper, stabbed a mother 24 times, and slit the throat of a sacristan. Despite claiming amnesia, evidence suggests Aouissaoui had planned the attack and was radicalized. Full Article

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Palestinians back on key Gaza road as Israel withdraws

After Israel withdrew its forces from the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza, a long line of vehicles, including lorries carrying household belongings, slowly made their way through the destruction left behind by the war. Many Palestinians returned to find their homes destroyed, leading to further displacement and suffering in the already devastated region. Despite the ceasefire, fear still lingered among residents, with concerns about safety and the ongoing danger in the area as they attempted to rebuild their lives amidst the ruins. Full Article

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Iranian schools and offices shut as cold snap bites

Iranian authorities closed schools and offices in 10 provinces to conserve energy amid a cold snap and heavy snowfall, with Lorestan, Semnan, and Gilan among the affected areas experiencing up to 220 centimetres of snow. Similar closures were imposed in over 20 provinces on Saturday, leading to travel disruptions and advisories to stay home due to temperatures dropping to zero degrees Celsius or lower in at least 19 provinces. Despite the wintry conditions, Tehran saw reopenings on Sunday following snowfall of up to 30 centimetres, causing widespread traffic disruption and road closures across the country. Full Article

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‘Dad, I Came Back Alive!’ Israeli Hostages Start to Give Glimpses of Ordeal.

Doron Steinbrecher, a former Hamas captive, vowed never to wear pink again after her release from 15 months in Gaza, appearing composed in a video. As more Israeli hostages are freed, stories emerge of severe conditions endured, including underground in Hamas tunnels and suffering from starvation. The exchange for Palestinian prisoners highlights the ongoing struggles and trauma faced by those held captive during the conflict. Full Article

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Thai hostages freed from Gaza arrive in Bangkok

Five Thai farm workers who had been held hostage in Gaza for over a year were joyfully reunited with their families in Bangkok after being freed on January 30 as part of a ceasefire deal. The returnees, Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Tanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Lamnau, and Bannawat Saethao, expressed gratitude for their rescue and were met by emotional relatives and government officials. The government of Thailand is providing financial support and assistance for their reintegration, as they make their way back to their hometowns, following a chaotic handover in Gaza involving Islamic Jihad and Hamas fighters. Full Article

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