International
Gaza: Netanyahu rules out ceasefire until Israel destroys Hamas
Gaza: Netanyahu rules out ceasefire until Israel destroys Hamas
Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted there will be no permanent ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas’ military and governing capabilities are destroyed and all hostages are released.
The statement from Israel’s prime minister comes after US President Joe Biden announced Israel had proposed a three-stage plan to Hamas aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas has already indicated it views the proposals “positively”.
The negotiations come as fighting continues in Rafah, with reports of Israeli air strikes on Saturday in the city on Egypt’s border with Gaza.
There is no guarantee that the public pressure by Mr Biden on both Israel and Hamas to accept the plan will result in a deal.
In statement on Saturday, Mr Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s “conditions for ending the war have not changed”.
“The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel,” it said.
The statement added Israel would “continue to insist these conditions are met” before agreeing to a permanent ceasefire, emphasising that no deal could be signed before meeting them.
On Friday, Mr Biden described the plan as a comprehensive Israeli proposal that paved the way for a permanent ceasefire.
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The first phase would include a full and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas and the exchange of some hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
This would then be followed by the return of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers.
The final phase would see the final remains of any deceased Israeli hostages returned, as well as a “major reconstruction plan” with US and international assistance to rebuild homes, schools and hospitals, Mr Biden said.
A total end to the conflict has been a key Hamas demand to engage in talks.
Mr Biden has acknowledged that not everyone in Israel would agree with the plan, but urged the authorities to resist the pressure.
There has been no word as yet from the far-right allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who are likely to oppose the proposal.
They have previously threatened to quit the coalition, which could result in the collapse of the Netanyahu government.
But one of Israel’s most influential opposition politicians, Yair Lapid, has promised to back Mr Netanyahu if he supports the ceasefire deal.
In a post on social media, Mr Lapid told the Israeli PM that he “has our safety net for a hostage deal” if far-right allies like national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich leave the government.
Israel has ramped up attacks in the key city of Rafah in recent weeks, claiming operational control over the entire border with Egypt.
US, Israeli and Egyptian officials are due to meet in Cairo on Sunday to discuss reopening the Rafah crossing, according to Egyptian media reports.
Aid flows into Gaza have been restricted since the border was shut in early May, after Israeli forces seized control of it as part of their offensive to take control of Gaza’s southern border.
More than 36,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The war began in October when Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 252 back to Gaza as hostages.
Gaza: Netanyahu rules out ceasefire until Israel destroys Hamas
BBC
International
US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files
US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files
Democratic lawmakers have accused the United States government of orchestrating the “largest government cover-up in modern history” over allegations that crucial documents relating to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were withheld from the public. The controversy centers on missing FBI interview summaries tied to a 2019 sexual abuse complaint against the former U.S. president.
The House Oversight Committee, led by Representative Robert Garcia, claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) failed to release more than 50 pages of interview notes with a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by Trump in the mid-1980s, when she was 13 to 15 years old. While the DOJ released millions of pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, investigators and media outlets, including NPR, found that only one summary focusing on Epstein’s actions appears publicly, leaving key follow-up materials missing.
“This is the largest government cover-up in modern history. We are demanding answers,” said Democrats on the Oversight Committee in a statement. Garcia confirmed that his team reviewed unredacted DOJ logs and concluded that FBI interviews with the survivor were not properly disclosed. He announced a parallel congressional investigation to ensure all records are produced.
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The DOJ has denied any wrongdoing, explaining that some materials may fall under exempt categories, such as duplicates, privileged records, or documents linked to ongoing investigations. Officials added that any documents improperly tagged or temporarily removed for privacy reasons will be restored. The department stated it is reviewing flagged files to ensure compliance with the law.
The woman at the center of the allegations first contacted authorities in July 2019, shortly after Epstein’s arrest on sex trafficking charges. Internal DOJ references describe her claim that Epstein introduced her to Trump, who then allegedly assaulted her. However, the public FBI summary does not evaluate the credibility of these allegations, and follow-up interview notes remain unavailable.
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the release of the Epstein Files exonerates him. White House statements dismissed cover-up claims as politically motivated, asserting that no law enforcement agency has accused Trump of criminal conduct related to Epstein.
Legal experts and transparency advocates warn that withholding such key materials undermines public trust in U.S. institutions, particularly in high-profile cases involving political figures. The unfolding investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny on the DOJ’s handling of sensitive documents and the broader accountability of government agencies in politically charged cases.
US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files
International
Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine
Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nigeria joined 106 other UN member states in voting for a resolution calling for peace, sovereignty, and humanitarian protection for Ukraine. The vote took place during an emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
The resolution, titled “Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine”, was adopted with 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, including the United States. It calls for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children. The General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders.
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the war as shattering the peaceful aspirations of Europe and stressed that “war must never be the new normal.” She highlighted that generations in Europe have long lived in peace, but Russia’s invasion disrupted this reality.
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the conflict a “stain on our collective conscience” and a continuing threat to regional and international security. He warned that prolonged warfare increases civilian casualties, with 2025 witnessing the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine since the invasion began. Guterres urged the international community to “use every diplomatic tool” to secure a full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward lasting peace.
During the session, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa condemned the invasion as a “war against the rules-based international order,” citing attacks on civilians, nuclear threats, and the forced deportation of children as potential war crimes. She reiterated that Ukraine rejects territorial concessions, insists on sovereignty as a red line, and called for stronger sanctions, air defense, binding security guarantees, and accountability for war crimes.
Conversely, the Russian Federation’s delegate rejected the resolution’s narrative, accusing European states of escalating the war while ignoring negotiations. Moscow reaffirmed its preference for diplomacy and stated that any settlement must address “root causes” and reflect “new territorial realities.”
The resolution demonstrates the broad international support for Ukraine, highlights Nigeria’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy, and emphasizes the urgent need for peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law as Russia’s invasion enters its fifth year.
Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine
International
Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan
Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan
TELL, West Bank — Israeli settlers have vandalized and set fire to the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, authorities confirmed, marking the latest in a series of attacks on Palestinian religious sites amid a surge in settler violence. The attack occurred early Monday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Worshippers arriving for morning prayers discovered the mosque’s entrance smoldering, with black smoke staining the doorway and broken glass scattered across the area. According to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Religious Affairs, settlers spray-painted offensive graffiti, including derogatory references to Islam and slogans linked to extremist “price tag” operations.
Local resident Munir Ramdan described the scene: “I was shocked when I opened the door. The fire had been burning here, the glass was broken, and the door was damaged.” Security footage reportedly shows two individuals carrying gasoline and spray paint approaching the mosque before fleeing the scene.
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The incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on mosques in the West Bank, with the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs reporting that 45 mosques were vandalized or attacked last year. Residents said the assault was a deliberate provocation during Ramadan, targeting both the religious sanctity of the mosque and the spiritual practice of fasting.
The Israeli military and police responded to reports of the incident and are actively searching for suspects. While the military condemned harm to religious institutions, Palestinian officials and rights groups say Israeli authorities often fail to hold settlers accountable for violence.
The attack comes amid a recent rise in settler violence, including last week’s killing of a 19-year-old Palestinian-American, Nasrallah Abu Siyam, highlighting ongoing tensions between settlers and Palestinian communities in the occupied territories.
Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan
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