In Tel Aviv, residents honored the victims of the hostage crisis, expressing concern for the 59 hostages still held in Gaza, following the return of four hostages' bodies marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire.
As the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire concluded with the return of the bodies of four Israeli hostages, residents of Tel Aviv gathered at Hostages Square to lay flowers and candles in a show of solidarity.
Despite this, many expressed deep concern for the 59 hostages still held in Gaza, as the future of the remaining captives remains uncertain.
Tony Vardy, a British citizen, voiced hope for a new phase of the ceasefire or the continuation of the current agreement. Talking to Reuters, he acknowledged the political challenges that come with moving to the next phase but stressed the tragic nature of the situation, not only for the hostages and their families but also for the suffering Palestinians. He expressed his desire for peace and a peaceful resolution, as the ongoing conflict brings devastation to all involved.
Talks about the second phase of the ceasefire have yet to commence, leaving many worried about the future of the hostages.
The condition of some hostages who have been released recently, with several appearing emaciated, has sparked outrage in Israel, further intensifying the pressure on the government. Jacob Kaplanski, another Israeli citizen, emphasised the collective desire for peace, stating that the people want to live without the burden of terrorism and war.
As the public continues to call for the continuation of the ceasefire to secure the release of the remaining hostages, there is internal debate within the Israeli government.
Some officials advocate for the resumption of military action against Hamas, while Hamas has signaled its willingness to begin discussions on the second phase of the ceasefire.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has named Hussein al-Sheikh as the PLO’s first-ever vice president, positioning him as a leading successor.
Jordan strongly condemned Israel's approval of a new agency aimed at facilitating the displacement of Palestinians under the pretense of "voluntary departure" from the Gaza Strip, calling the move an act of "forcible displacement crimes."
A man waving a Palestinian flag climbed Big Ben at London’s Palace of Westminster early on Saturday, with local media reporting he shouted “free Palestine.” Police and emergency services are working to bring the situation under control.
Nepal opened a major climate summit on Friday, urging global unity to protect the world's mountain ecosystems, as climate change rapidly melts glaciers across the Himalayas.
Vietnam and Thailand have officially upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership, marking a significant step forward in regional diplomacy.
Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced that India is opening up 200,000 square kilometers of its sedimentary basin for oil and gas exploration, inviting Russian companies to participate.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
Ministers in Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) are resigning one by one amid mounting protests in Tripoli, Libya Press agency reports
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Türkiye for their first direct peace talks since 2022, with discussions lasting under two hours.
A meeting of the security agencies of the CIS member states took place on May 16th in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.
Azerbaijan has dismissed recent remarks by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in an interview with Azerbaijani Public Television in Albania, accusing him of misleading the international community on territorial claims and the OSCE Minsk Group’s dissolution.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay official visits to Hungary and Slovenia from May 19 to 22, holding talks with top leaders and participating in key bilateral and multilateral events.
The World Bank has approved a $100 million concessional loan to Uzbekistan to help integrate renewable energy into power grids and enhance electricity reliability in key regions. The national grid operator will contribute an additional $50 million to the five-year program.
Transport ministers from China and Central Asian countries signed two memoranda of understanding to enhance digitalization and streamline cross-border freight operations, aiming to unlock greater economic, trade, and humanitarian cooperation potential in the region.
Nepal opened a major climate summit on Friday, urging global unity to protect the world's mountain ecosystems, as climate change rapidly melts glaciers across the Himalayas.
Vietnam and Thailand have officially upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership, marking a significant step forward in regional diplomacy.
Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced that India is opening up 200,000 square kilometers of its sedimentary basin for oil and gas exploration, inviting Russian companies to participate.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on May 16 that his country has started the process of joining the New Development Bank of BRICS.
Ministers in Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) are resigning one by one amid mounting protests in Tripoli, Libya Press agency reports
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