3 h. ago The war in Gaza is over, says Trump. Now who will be responsible for maintaining the peace? | Roy Schwartz

Israelis believe their interests are better served by Washington than Jerusalem. But will Trump and Netanyahu’s focus change now the hostages are home?Roy Schwartz is a senior editor and op-ed contributor at HaaretzThe streets of Tel Aviv felt empty this Monday morning. Apart from people rushing to work or walking their dogs, the place seemed relatively deserted. Even some of the most popular coffee spots had more vacant seats than occupied ones. This day feels like a holy day – not because it actually is one (it’s Simchat Torah Eve) – but because of the return of the last 20 living hostages from Hamas captivity. There was no need to ask where everyone was. Thousands had gathered in “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv (formerly known as Museum Square – and who knows if that name will ever return). Others were glued to their television screens at home, as if it were the World Cup final. Thinking about it, the war’s final act trumps even that. Apparently, the sound of silence can be full of...

Politics

18 h. ago Gaza ceasefire live: Trump says ‘war is over’ as he heads to Middle East for release of hostages

Israeli prime minister says there are ‘very great security challenges ahead of us’ but expects hostages will be released tomorrowIsraeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that Israel is ready for the “immediate” reception of all Gaza hostages.“Israel is prepared and ready to immediately receive all of our hostages,” he said in a statement after a meeting with the coordinator for the hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch. Continue reading...

Events

19 h. ago Starmer to hail signing of Trump’s Gaza deal as ‘crucial phase’ to ending war

The Prime Minister will attend a summit to mark the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the return of Israeli hostages.

Politics

31 h. ago Keir Starmer to hail Donald Trump's effort to end Gaza war at peace summit

The Prime Minister will pay ‘particular tribute’ to Donald Trump, who is set to attending the gathering on a wider visit to the Middle East

Politics

39 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Latest refinery strike shows ‘no safe places in Russia’s deep rear’

Bashneft oil refinery in Ufa is 1,400km from Ukrainian border; Zelenskyy says Trump can repeat Middle East peace success in Ukraine. What we know on day 1,327Ukrainian drones have struck Russia’s Bashneft oil refinery in Ufa, 1,400km from Ukraine, causing explosions and a fire, a source in Ukraine’s SBU security service told Reuters on Saturday. “This is the third SBU deep strike in Bashkortostan in the last month Such strikes demonstrate that there are no safe places in the deep rear of the Russian Federation.”Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Donald Trump to broker peace in Ukraine “[like in] the Middle East” during a phone call on Saturday. “If a war can be stopped in one region, then surely other wars can be stopped as well, including the Russian war,” Zelenskyy said, hailing Trump’s “outstanding” Gaza ceasefire plan and calling for the US president to pressure the Kremlin into negotiations.Russian attacks on Ukraine killed at least five people on Saturday and cut power to parts of Ukra...

Events

3 d. ago Israel says Gaza ceasefire has begun as troops pull back and thousands of Palestinians return home

IDF says ceasefire agreement came in at midday local time, with Israeli hostages expected to be released early next week

Politics

3 d. ago Israel says ceasefire has begun as troops pull back from some areas of Gaza

IDF says ceasefire agreement came in at midday local time, with Israeli hostages expected to be released early next week

Politics

3 d. ago Israel says ceasefire has begun as troops pulled back from some areas of Gaza

IDF says ceasefire agreement came in at midday local time, with Israeli hostages expected to be released early next week

Politics

3 d. ago Israel approves Trump's Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan as Hamas says war 'over'

Israeli hostages expected to be released early next week and ceasefire begin on Saturday after Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet ratified the peace agreement

Events

3 d. ago Peace at last for Gaza: Israeli security cabinet approves Trump

Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced on Thursday that it had given its final approval to back the agreement after 734 days of war.

Politics

3 d. ago Hamas says war with Israel 'over' after receiving guarantees from US over Trump deal

Israeli ministers are meeting to discuss the Gaza ceasefire deal, which they are expected to approve today

Politics

3 d. ago Hamas declares the war in Gaza OVER: Terrorist chief confirms ceasefire after Trump's historic peace deal

Donald Trump confirmed that the deal for peace in Gaza had been reached and that he was planning to travel to the Middle East to celebrate.

Events

4 d. ago Gaza ceasefire deal: What we know so far about the ‘first phase’ of the peace plan

US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the ‘first phase’ of his plan to pause fighting and release some hostages and prisonersFull story: ‘First phase’ of ceasefire deal to end war in Gaza agreed by Israel and HamasDonald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of a peace plan to pause fighting and release some hostages and prisoners held in Gaza.In a post on Truth Social, thanking mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. He said: “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.”Hamas said it had reached the agreement, confirming the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange. The group said in a statement the deal came after “responsible and serious negotiations” over the Trump’s proposal.Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu than...

Economics

4 d. ago EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: How does Tony Blair manage to pay staff $100million in a year?

Tony Blair - named on President Donald Trump 's Board of Peace to run post-war Gaza - isn't remotely coy about the fact his eponymous institute is awash with cash

Economics

6 d. ago This war of revenge has lasted two nightmare years. There’s only one hope for peace: Israel recognising Palestine | Raja Shehadeh

Donald Trump’s proposals are in play, but here in the West Bank we live in fear that the devastation of Gaza is coming our wayBeing an eternal optimist, I hoped that the events of 7 October 2023 – Hamas’s attack on southern Israel and breaking of the Israeli siege of Gaza – might precipitate a reappraisal of Israeli strategy towards the Palestinians. I hoped Israeli leaders would come to realise the futility of protecting their country by building walls, however impregnable.Instead, the attack did the opposite. It led to a war of revenge that has now lasted for close to two years, killing more than 65,000 Palestinians and causing the widespread devastation of Gaza, including destroying 92% of its residential buildings. Initially, I was shocked by this, and the dehumanisation of the people of Gaza which immediately came from Israeli leaders – Yoav Gallant, who was defence minister at the time of the attack, justified the war by declaring: “We are fighting human animals and are acting...

Politics

7 d. ago Freed Israeli hostage recalls Hamas captivity torment: 'We were treated like animals'

Ex-hostage Tal Shoham was held for 505 days in Gaza under brutal conditions

Politics

7 d. ago Trump urges negotiators to ‘move fast’ as Gaza ceasefire talks set to begin in Cairo

Talks on Monday expected to focus on release of hostages and end to war, after Israel kills 63 people in Gaza in past dayDonald Trump has urged negotiators to “move fast” in talks focused on the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and a broader end to the war, as representatives arrived in Cairo for discussions set to begin on Monday.The talks will focus on the first phase of Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, the Egyptian foreign ministry said, which is the release of the remaining 48 hostages held by Hamas in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Trump urges negotiators to ‘move fast’ as Gaza ceasefire talks set to begin in Egypt

Talks on Monday expected to focus on release of hostages and end to war, after Israel kills 63 people in Gaza in past dayDonald Trump has urged negotiators to “move fast” in talks focused on the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and a broader end to the war, as representatives arrived in Egypt for discussions set to begin on Monday.The talks will focus on the first phase of Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, the Egyptian foreign ministry said, which is the release of the remaining 48 hostages held by Hamas in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Israel continues Gaza bombardment as Trump plan negotiators arrive in Cairo

Talks on Monday expected to focus on release of hostages and end to war, after Israel kills 63 people in Gaza in past dayNegotiators have arrived in Cairo before talks on Monday expected to focus on the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and a broader end to the war, as Israel continued strikes on the Palestinian territory, killing 63 people in the last 24 hours.The talks on Monday would focus on the first phase of Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, the Egyptian foreign ministry said, which is the release of the remaining 48 hostages held by Hamas in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Trump announces Israel has agreed to ‘initial withdrawal line’ in Gaza

‘Our goal is to limit the negotiations to just a few days,’ the Israeli prime minister said

Politics