Negotiations for the continued release of hostages held in Gaza have stalled, with no progress reported in talks between Israel and Hamas. Sources indicate that if a deal is not reached within the next week, Israel may resume military actions in Gaza, potentially escalating the ongoing conflict.
Negotiations surrounding the release of hostages held in Gaza have hit a standstill, according to sources familiar with the discussions. While officials had hoped for a breakthrough, it seems no progress has been made on this front. The lack of an agreement between Israel and Hamas could see tensions rise, with experts suggesting that fighting could resume in Gaza in just over a week if the deadlock persists.
At the heart of the talks is a proposal from U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which involves the phased release of hostages and the return of bodies. However, sources indicate that Hamas has yet to accept or reject this offer, complicating efforts to move forward. The plan outlines the release of half of the hostages and bodies on the first day, with the remainder to follow on the final day of a 42-day ceasefire.
There are conflicting reports about whether Hamas has formally rejected the proposal, with some sources suggesting that they are still considering it. As of now, there is no clear indication of when or if Witkoff will visit the region, as his role is to finalize any potential agreement.
In the absence of a deal, Israel appears to be preparing for further action. Officials have signaled that without an agreement on the hostages, Israel may intensify its military efforts in Gaza. Recent decisions, such as halting humanitarian aid, indicate a shift towards a more aggressive approach. Additionally, Israel is contemplating cutting off vital services like water and electricity, further raising concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
While no agreement has been reached, some experts suggest that Hamas may still agree to release more hostages in exchange for concessions, such as the release of prisoners or the entry of humanitarian aid. However, these negotiations are still ongoing, with key questions about the terms remaining unresolved. The future of these talks is uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be achieved in the coming days.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague to discuss key regional and global issues.
An explosive device detonated on an armoured combat-engineering vehicle in Khan Younis in Gaza, killing seven Israeli soldiers and seriously wounding another soldier on Tuesday (24 June).
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 25th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Airlines have cancelled and rerouted flights across the Middle East as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates.
Two drones suspected to be from Iran were intercepted by Israeli fighter jets outside the country's airspace on Tuesday evening, according to the Israeli military.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China hosted defence chiefs from SCO member states in Qingdao, with calls to boost cooperation as global instability rises and conflicts persist in the Middle East.
Australia will not raise its defence spending targets despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing instead to follow its own military strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Kazakhstan's e-commerce sector has soared to 3.2 trillion tenge (around 6.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a sevenfold increase since 2020, according to Deputy Prime Minister Serik Jumanğarin.
Russia has expressed its readiness to support the signing of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia to ensure regional stability and security.
Masked law enforcement officers have detained Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the 'Sacred Struggle' movement in Armenia. He is accused of preparing terrorist attacks and an alleged attempt to seize power, according to the Investigative Committee.
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has announced a major reform initiative aimed at strengthening national sovereignty in the country’s space sector.
An explosive device detonated on an armoured combat-engineering vehicle in Khan Younis in Gaza, killing seven Israeli soldiers and seriously wounding another soldier on Tuesday (24 June).
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China hosted defence chiefs from SCO member states in Qingdao, with calls to boost cooperation as global instability rises and conflicts persist in the Middle East.
Australia will not raise its defence spending targets despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing instead to follow its own military strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment