U.S., Iran closer to deal, timing remains unclear
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Israeli officials have confirmed that they are closely studying the 60-day ceasefire proposal to which Hamas agreed to on Monday.
The proposal includes the release of all 50 Israeli hostages who are still alive, a source close to the matter says.
One Israeli official however insisted that for the war to end, every single Israeli hostage must be returned.
Hamas agreed to the deal on Monday in a post made via Facebook where it said that other Palestinian factions also approved its agreement.
A source familiar with the negotiations said the proposal closely mirrored an earlier plan put forward by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, which Israel had accepted.
Here are key details of the ceasefire proposal, as outlined to Reuters by a senior Hamas leader and two Egyptian security sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity:
- Ten Israeli hostages held in Gaza will be returned along with the bodies of 18 others, spread out over 60 days. Israel says that of 50 hostages held by Hamas and its allies, 20 are believed to be alive.
- In exchange, Israel will release 150 detained Palestinians it sentenced to life in prison and 50 Palestinians it sentenced to more than 15 years.
- For each body Hamas returns, Israel will return the bodies of 10 Palestinian militants.
- Israel will permit aid to enter Gaza with the involvement of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
- The Israeli army will remain in Gaza, but will withdraw to an approximately 1-kilometre-wide (0.6-mile-wide) zone along the enclave's north and eastern borders that also includes the areas of Beit Lahiya and Shejaia.
- Once the ceasefire takes effect, Hamas and Israel will begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.
Israel's Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, said his country was at a turning point in the Gaza war, "with its focus on enhancing the strikes against Hamas in Gaza City," the military spokesman said in a statement.
In a video issued by his office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "I, like you, hear the reports in the media, and from them you can get one impression - Hamas is under immense pressure."
Over sixty thousand people have died in the Israel - Hamas war which began on October 7 2023 leading to one of the worst humanitarian crisis in recent times.
An earlier ceasefire was agreed in January 2025 with hostage swaps going on from both sides and the seizure of strikes.
Originally billed to happen in three phases each over a six week period, it came to an end on 18th March after Israel launched a surprise attack on Gaza.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celebrations across New York City.
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is a rarity for Beijing to engage directly with the group.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Romania's centrist President Nicușor Dan on Sunday designated Adrian Veștea, a member of the liberal party, as prime minister, after independent candidate Eugen Tomac withdrew.
North Korea said on Sunday, 14 June, that denuclearisation is a matter that is irreversibly terminated, in a condemnation of recent nuclear deterrence talks between the U.S. and South Korea.
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