U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has blamed the Palestinian militant group Hamas for the recent escalation in Gaza, reiterating Washington's unwavering support for Israel.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Witkoff stated that Hamas had been given multiple opportunities to prevent the violence. “Hamas had every opportunity to demilitarize, to accept the bridging proposal that would have given us a 40- or 50-day ceasefire where we could have discussed demilitarization and a final truce. There were all kinds of opportunities to do that, and they elected not to,” he said.
Despite the violence, Witkoff noted that the U.S. remains open to diplomatic discussions with Hamas, echoing a similar stance taken in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “Would we be amenable to a reach-out from Hamas? Of course, we would be – no different than in the Russian conflict. We want to end the killing, but we need to be clear who the aggressor is here, and that is Hamas,” he added.
The Israeli military resumed heavy strikes on Gaza on March 18 following the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which had been in effect since January 19. Since the resumption of attacks, over 670 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 1,200 others injured. The toll on Gaza’s population has been devastating, with at least 50,021 Palestinians killed and 113,274 others wounded since October 7, 2023.
In the wake of the failed ceasefire, Israel announced it would escalate military action against Hamas, rejecting new ceasefire proposals. Hamas, for its part, accused Israel of violating its commitments and resuming a campaign of genocide against Palestinians.
This renewed conflict comes amid internal political unrest in Israel, including the controversial dismissal of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that an announcement related to the Gaza Strip is likely within the next 24 hours, signaling potential developments in the U.S. approach to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the United States would assist civilians in Gaza in obtaining food, as Israel’s aid blockade on the territory enters its 64th day.
The Israeli military plans to mobilize tens of thousands of reservists as it prepares to launch a renewed offensive in Gaza and shift forces across multiple fronts.
A humanitarian vessel en route to Gaza was struck by drones in international waters near Malta, as its operators accuse Israel of the attack.
China has renewed its call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and demanded that Israel cease its military operations in Lebanon and Syria, warning of escalating instability across the Middle East.
President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reached a trade agreement that lowers U.S. tariffs on British autos, steel, and aluminum, while maintaining a 10% baseline tariff on other goods and boosting American exports of beef and ethanol.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 9th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
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India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
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Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
Cardinals from 70 nations have gathered in Vatican City to begin the historic conclave to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis 17 days ago. This conclave is the most geographically diverse in Church history, showcasing Francis’ legacy of inclusivity.
Armenia has officially approved joining the Ashgabat Agreement, aiming to enhance its regional transit role and secure broader access to international markets through a key transport and transit corridor spanning Central and South Asia.
Turkmenistan will host the next session of the High-Level Working Group on the Caspian Sea, following constructive discussions in Moscow among the five littoral states on maritime cooperation and legal frameworks.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, in a message to participants of the 28th Eurasian Economic Summit, praised the strong Azerbaijani–Turkish partnership and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony.
Kazakhstan’s Senate has approved a key agreement with the UAE to develop a 1 GW wind power station in the Zhambyl region, with plans to enhance renewable energy production and storage capacity. The project will create thousands of jobs and attract significant investments.
The US Embassy in Georgia has cautioned American citizens about potential security threats at several major shopping malls in Tbilisi, though Georgian officials have refuted the claims as unfounded.
President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reached a trade agreement that lowers U.S. tariffs on British autos, steel, and aluminum, while maintaining a 10% baseline tariff on other goods and boosting American exports of beef and ethanol.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 9th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
Italians gather to honour all who resisted fascism — including the forgotten Azerbaijani soldiers of Monte di Nese, each year. Their names may be lost, but their struggle for freedom is etched into the memory of this land.
Britain's King Charles has called on the world to work toward lasting peace and preventing future wars during a speech marking the end of four days of events celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost shared rare insights on faith, unity, and modern challenges in a few candid interviews.
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