International

Gaza: Netanyahu rules out ceasefire until Israel destroys Hamas

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

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

Related Topics:Gaza Hamas Israel Netanyahu

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International

Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

Published

2 days ago

February 24, 2026

Trends Admin

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

International

Iranian Army Helicopter Crashes Into Market, Four Killed

Published

2 days ago

February 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Iranian Army Helicopter Crashes Into Market, Four Killed

At least four people have died after an Iranian Army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market in Dorcheh, central Iran, on Tuesday morning, authorities and state media reported.

The helicopter, reportedly on a training flight, went down around 9:09 a.m. local time, striking market stalls and sparking a fire, which was later extinguished by emergency responders. Among the deceased are the pilot and co-pilot, both members of the Iranian Army Aviation, and two civilians who were present at the market during the crash.

Officials indicated that a technical malfunction may have caused the accident, though a full investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances. Local authorities and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to secure the scene, assist victims, and clear debris from the market area.

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Dorcheh, located about 330 km south of Tehran, is in a region hosting key military installations, including a major airbase. The crash adds to concerns over the safety of Iran’s aging military aircraft fleet, which has been affected by decades-long sanctions restricting access to spare parts and modern equipment.

This incident comes days after another military aircraft crash in Hamadan province, where an F‑4 fighter jet went down during a training flight, killing one of its pilots. Aviation safety remains a growing concern in Iran, particularly for military training operations.

Authorities have pledged a comprehensive investigation into the Dorcheh helicopter crash and have called for measures to ensure safety around public areas near military flight paths.

Iranian Army Helicopter Crashes Into Market, Four Killed

International

15 Killed as Peruvian Military Helicopter Crashes During Flood Relief Mission

Published

2 days ago

February 24, 2026

Trends Admin

15 Killed as Peruvian Military Helicopter Crashes During Flood Relief Mission

At least 15 people, including seven children, were killed after a Peruvian Air Force Mi‑17 helicopter crashed on Sunday while carrying out a flood relief and rescue mission in the Arequipa region of southern Peru. The helicopter was part of a humanitarian assistance operation responding to severe flooding and landslides that have damaged homes, roads, and infrastructure across the region.

The Mi‑17 helicopter, carrying 11 passengers and four crew members, vanished from radar while flying from Pisco toward the coastal town of Chala Viejo in Caravelí Province. Loss of radio contact triggered an intensive search and rescue operation, involving Peruvian special forces, police units, and Air Force personnel, which located the wreckage on Monday.

Among the victims were seven minors aged between 3 and 17 years old. Adults confirmed dead include Colonel Javier Nole Gonzales, Air Force officer Sergio Danner Paucar Centurión, Elisa Bernal Paredes, Zoila Fernandez Medina, Luis Cárcamo, Kamila Jove, and Leiner Huamán, along with other passengers whose identities are being verified. All four crew members perished in the crash.

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The Peruvian Air Force (FAP) described the incident as a “tragic accident” and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims. An Accident Investigation Board has been activated to determine the exact cause of the crash, including the possibility of mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, or operational challenges.

This tragedy comes amid one of the most severe flood emergencies in Arequipa in recent years, with heavy rains causing rivers to overflow, landslides, and forced evacuations. The helicopter’s mission was intended to provide emergency relief, transportation of personnel, and logistical support to affected communities. Authorities warned that the loss of the aircraft and personnel may impact ongoing rescue operations.

Local officials and disaster response teams continue to assist flood-affected families, providing temporary shelters, food, and medical aid. Observers noted that the crash underscores the risks faced by rescue teams operating in disaster-prone regions and highlights the need for enhanced aviation safety measures in extreme weather conditions.