VENICE, Italy — The artist and curators representing Israel at this year’s Venice Biennale announced Tuesday they won’t open the Israeli pavilion exhibition until there is a cease-fire in Gaza and an agreement to release hostages. Their decision was posted on a sign in the window of the Israeli national pavilion on the first day … Read more
By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) – The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal, saying on Saturday it had handed to mediators in Egypt and Qatar its response to the proposal it had received last Monday. After more than six months of war with Israel in Gaza, the negotiations remain deadlocked, with … Read more
Virtually all of the Biden administration’s hopes and plans to end the war in Gaza — and move toward a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian territories — depend on first reaching a deal for a temporary cease-fire and the release of Israeli hostages. But after months of negotiations and sporadic assurances of progress, … Read more
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said the Palestinian group will not budge from its position on deadlocked ceasefire negotiations after Israeli forces killed three of his children and four of his grandchildren in northern Gaza on Wednesday. Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar, confirmed the deaths of his sons Hazem, Amir, and Mohammed, who he said … Read more
JERUSALEM — For Gazans and Israelis yearning for a cease-fire and a deal to free hostages, feelings of cautious optimism have been dashed so many times that any optimism now seems incautious. Once again, attention has turned to talks in Cairo amid reports that an agreement may be within reach. Once again, leaks from the … Read more
CAIRO — Israel’s military said Saturday it had recovered the body of a 47-year-old farmer who was held hostage in Gaza, while negotiators prepared to begin another round of talks on brokering a cease-fire and securing the release of the remaining hostages, six months into the war. Israel’s army said it had found the body … Read more
STORY: The pontiff presided over Mass in a packed and flower-bedecked St Peter’s Square, and then delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing and message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The pope’s Easter message traditionally focuses on world affairs, and he mentioned other flashpoints, including Ukraine, Syria, … Read more
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will return to the table for cease-fire talks with Hamas. Friday’s announcement marks yet another attempt to reach a deal to pause Israel’s devastating war in Gaza against Hamas in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. Efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to negotiate a cease-fire … Read more
BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday threatened to break off diplomatic ties with Israel if the country doesn’t comply with a U.N. Security Council resolution that calls for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Petro made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. On Monday, he published another message in … Read more
The U.N. Security Council on Monday passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, after five months of brutal conflict and a number of failed attempts, including several resolutions that were vetoed by the United States. The latest resolution, demanding an end to fighting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the release … Read more