Hamas seeks 'complete halt' to war in Gaza proposal response – Newstrends
Connect with us

International

Hamas seeks ‘complete halt’ to war in Gaza proposal response

Published

11 months ago

on

Hamas seeks ‘complete halt’ to war in Gaza proposal response

Hamas says it has submitted its response to a US-backed plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, with a senior group official telling the BBC that it still requires an Israeli commitment to a permanent ceasefire.

In a statement, the group, and its Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) allies, expressed “readiness to positively” reach a deal.

The proposed ceasefire plan – which was endorsed by the UN security council on Monday night – calls for a six-week ceasefire that would eventually become permanent.

Qatar and Egypt – who, along with the US, have mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas – confirmed that the Palestinian group had submitted its reply.

In its statement on Tuesday evening, Hamas called for a “complete halt” to fighting in Gaza.

“The response prioritises the interests of our Palestinian people and emphasises the necessity of a complete halt to the ongoing aggression on Gaza,” Hamas and the PIJ said.

The groups added that they were ready “to engage positively to reach an agreement that ends this war”.

READ ALSO:

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said it was “helpful” that Hamas had submitted a response and that US officials were “evaluating” the group’s requests.

Earlier on Tuesday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “reaffirmed his commitment” to the Gaza ceasefire plan and the world was waiting for the Hamas response.

The proposal set out by President Biden last month involves an initial six-week ceasefire, with Hamas releasing some hostages in exchange for Israel releasing an undefined number of Palestinian prisoners.

A second phase would see the remaining hostages released by Hamas and a total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as part of a “permanent” ceasefire, but the latter would still be subject to negotiations.

The actual Israeli proposal – reportedly lengthier than the summary presented by Mr Biden – has not been made public and it is unclear whether it varies from what the president conveyed in his statement on 31 May. It was presented to Hamas days prior to Mr Biden’s speech.

Mr Netanyahu has acknowledged his war cabinet has authorised the plan but has not voiced unequivocal support for it. Far right members of his cabinet have threatened to quit his coalition and trigger its collapse if the deal goes forward, seeing it as surrender to Hamas.

Hamas seeks ‘complete halt’ to war in Gaza proposal response

BBC

Related Topics:
Advertisement

International

Nigeria’s FX inflow faces threat as US considers taxing diaspora remittances

Published

2 days ago

on

May 14, 2025

By

Nigeria’s FX inflow faces threat as US considers taxing diaspora remittances

Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings have come under fresh threat following plans by the United States’ Congress to impose a five per cent tax on all diaspora remittances.

The Bill, unveiled by the House Republicans on Monday, is aimed at curbing money transfers to foreign countries.

The tax would be paid by the sender and collected quarterly by the US Treasury Department.Verified US citizens would be exempted from the levy and could claim it as a credit. The Bill also exempts remittances sent via authorized providers by verified US senders.

Key vote on the Bill expected this week with a committee vote on the Bill already held yesterday. A full House vote is expected before May 26.

READ ALSO:

For decades, the United States has consistently been the top remittance-sending country. According to the International Organisation for Migration, the US accounted for a total outflow of $79 billion in 2022, followed by Saudi Arabia ($39 billion), Switzerland ($31.9 billion), and Germany ($25.6 billion).

Within the same period, Nigeria emerged on the top ten remittance recipient in the world, ranking the number nine with $20.1 billion behind countries like India ($111.2bn), Mexico ($61.1bn), China ($51bn), Philippines ($38bn), France ($30bn), Pakistan ($29.9bn), Egypt and Bangladesh with $28.3bn and $21.5 bn respectively.

However, economy analysts, who spoke to Vanguard on the development, noted that the Bill if passed by

the US lawmakers, would result in decline in net value of remittance inflow into the country and may lead to further drop in the value of the Naira.

While the proposed tax broadly affects immigrant families, it poses a challenge for the country as remittances from the Nigerian diaspora have become a major mainstay of the country’s economy. At the macro level, diaspora remittances represent the second-largest source of foreign exchange inflow into the country, second only to crude oil earnings.

Nigeria’s FX inflow faces threat as US considers taxing diaspora remittances

Continue Reading

International

Diddy forced sex worker to urinate in Cassie’s mouth, prosecutor alleges

Published

3 days ago

on

May 13, 2025

By

Diddy forced sex worker to urinate in Cassie’s mouth, prosecutor alleges

Prosecutors have alleged in the opening statements in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs that the music mogul once forced a male escort to urinate in the mouth of his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura.

The trial commenced on May 12 following the completion of jury selection. Combs has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts related to transportation for prostitution.

According to People, Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson told jurors the alleged incident occurred during one of Combs’ notorious private parties, which prosecutors refer to as “freak offs.” These events reportedly involved orchestrated sexual encounters featuring male sex workers and women who were allegedly coerced or pressured into participating.

Johnson claimed that during one such gathering, Combs forced an unnamed male escort to urinate in Cassie’s mouth, an act that left her feeling as though she was choking. Prosecutors also referenced a 2016 video that surfaced online showing Combs allegedly kicking, hitting and dragging Cassie in a hotel hallway.

READ ALSO:

In testimony presented to the court, Daniel Phillip, a male sex worker, stated he was hired multiple times to have sex with Cassie, sometimes earning up to $6,000 per encounter. He said Combs would occasionally direct the activity or record it. Phillip also testified that Cassie once asked him to urinate on her, describing an incident in which she gave him instructions on how to do so.

“Cassie was actually the one that asked me urinate on her,” Philip said.

“She asked me if I had ever done that before, she told me to do it. Apparently I was doing it wrong, because they both told me.”

He added that he feared the consequences of speaking out, saying, “My thoughts were that this was someone with unlimited power. And chances are that, even if I did go to the police, I might still lose my life.”

Combs’ legal team is expected to argue that his relationship with Cassie included mutual violence. Cassie is also expected to testify during the trial.

The founder of Bad Boy Records was arrested in Manhattan on September 16, 2024, and subsequently indicted by prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. He faces serious allegations, including the sexual abuse of more than 120 individuals—among them women, men and a 9-year-old boy.

Continue Reading

International

UK to consult Nigeria on new visa rules

Published

3 days ago

on

May 13, 2025

By

UK to consult Nigeria on new visa rules

The British High Commission in Nigeria has said it will engage with relevant partners in the federal government once implementation details of the UK’s new immigration reforms are made available.

This follows the release of a White Paper by the UK government on Monday, outlining sweeping changes to the immigration system.

The new policy includes ending the social care work visa route, imposing a longer settlement path for migrants, shortening the graduate visa period, and introducing mandatory English language tests for dependants.

While the exact timeline for implementation is yet to be announced, the British High Commission has moved to reassure Nigerians of the continued strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.

READ ALSO:

“The UK enjoys strong, long-standing people-to-people links with Nigeria. We are proud that the UK is still considered a top destination for Nigerians to work, study, visit, and settle – and value the contribution this brings to the UK,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the Commission, the reforms aim to “restore order, control, and fairness” to the immigration system, reduce net migration, and promote economic growth. It noted that changes will occur gradually, and reiterated the UK’s commitment to an open and collaborative approach with Nigerian authorities.

The statement comes amid recent concerns that the UK may restrict visa applications from countries whose citizens are more likely to overstay—Nigeria was reportedly among those listed.

Despite this, the British High Commission reaffirmed what it called the “strong and enduring” links between Nigeria and the UK, describing Britain as an outward-looking nation that welcomes diversity and global talent.

 

UK to consult Nigeria on new visa rules

Continue Reading

Trending