On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy informed families of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that he is working on a joint plan with the Israeli government aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza.
While ending the conflict remains a key priority for the Trump administration, progress in negotiations has stalled. Steve Witkoff is visiting Israel amid increasing pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Witkoff stated, “We are working on a very good plan together with the Israeli government under the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu. This plan envisions the reconstruction of Gaza and the effective end of the war.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on his remarks.
Witkoff also said that Hamas is prepared to disarm to end the war, although Hamas has repeatedly stated it will not relinquish its weapons.
The group declared that it would only cease “armed resistance” once “an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital” is established.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire and the release of half the hostages, ended in deadlock last week.
On Saturday, Hamas released a second video of Israeli hostage Evyatar David. In the footage, David, visibly weakened, is shown digging a grave for himself.
David’s brother told a rally in Tel Aviv supporting the hostages that they are “on the brink of death” and may have only days left to live.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “The world cannot remain silent in the face of the deliberate torture of the hostages, including the starvation they are enduring.”
Witkoff visited Israel on Thursday amid global outcry over the destruction and growing hunger in Gaza under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.
Senior Israeli officials say an understanding is emerging between Israel and the US that the plan to end the war must move beyond releasing some hostages to include freeing all hostages, disarming Hamas, and demilitarising the Gaza Strip.
The situation in Gaza remains dire. Qatar and Egypt are mediating ceasefire efforts and have endorsed a declaration by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution. This includes Hamas handing over its weapons to the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.
In recent weeks, many have died from food shortages in Gaza. UN agencies say that Israel’s air-dropped aid is insufficient and are pressing Israel to increase land-based assistance.
The Gaza conflict began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. Israel’s counter-offensive has since killed over 60,000 Palestinians.
Currently, around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive.
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President Emeritus of the European Council Charles Michel has said he is “confident” in the progress of peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia, calling for a sustainable framework to support regional cooperation.
Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) are set to sign a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), marking a major step in bilateral relations and placing Uzbekistan among the EU’s closest partners in Central Asia.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan said the United States and others must do more to push Israel to stop violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the possible use of sanctions or halting arms sales.
American media personality Kim Kardashian said she had been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, U.S. media outlets reported on Thursday.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
A tsunami threat was issued in Chile after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday. The epicenter was located 135 miles south of Puerto Williams on the north coast of Navarino Island.
The war in Ukraine has reached a strategic impasse, and it seems that the conflict will not be solved by military means. This creates a path toward one of two alternatives: either a “frozen” phase that can last indefinitely or a quest for a durable political regulation.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
Snapchat will start charging users who store more than 5GB of photos and videos in its Memories feature, prompting backlash from long-time users.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles III at Windsor Castle on 24 October, ahead of planned talks with European leaders in London.
Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) are set to sign a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), marking a major step in bilateral relations and placing Uzbekistan among the EU’s closest partners in Central Asia.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan said the United States and others must do more to push Israel to stop violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the possible use of sanctions or halting arms sales.
Southeast Asian leaders and global partners, including U.S. President Donald Trump, will gather in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 28 October to discuss trade, regional conflicts and global security, with East Timor set to join ASEAN as its 11th member.
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