2 d. ago This isn’t a real ceasefire in Gaza – it’s a holding pattern before war returns | Sanam Vakil

Israel’s airstrikes have exposed the fragility of Trump’s ‘peace plan’. Without international support, it risks crumbling altogether Israel’s recent airstrikes in Gaza, which have killed more than 100 people, show just how fragile this arrangement truly is. This is not the first violation since it came into effect on 10 October, but rather one of many over past weeks – showcasing that without stronger enforcement mechanisms and determined planning this is a ceasefire in name only.According to Israel, this round of violence resulted from Hamas fire against IDF forces in Rafah, an area still under Israeli control, resulting in the death of an IDF reservist. Hamas has denied involvement. Israel responded with additional strikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis. With each side interpreting violations to suit its own interests, the ceasefire’s vague structure leaves a wide margin for miscalculation and opportunism.Sanam Vakil is a senior research fellow in the Middle East and North Africa pr...

Events

4 d. ago Dear Donald Trump, here’s how you can win that Nobel peace prize | Mehdi Hasan

Make Israel release Marwan Barghouti, the ‘Palestinian Mandela’. The future of peace in the region depends on itDear Donald Trump,You still want that Nobel peace prize, right? You believe you deserve it, don’t you? Even as you send the world’s biggest warship towards Venezuela, promise to just “kill people that are bringing drugs into our country they’re going to be, like dead”, and threaten further national guard invasions of Democratic-run cities here in the United States.Mehdi Hasan is a broadcaster, author and a former host on MSNBC. He is also a Guardian US columnist and the editor-in-chief of Zeteo Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago The EU was complicit in the war in Gaza. Trump's plan can't be an excuse to dodge responsibility now | Nathalie Tocci

Tiptoeing around Israel has cost Europe its credibility. It must exert meaningful pressure to ensure the horrors we have seen never happen againThe first phase of Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza has drawn a collective sigh of relief from European leaders. After two years of slaughter, the ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the Israeli military’s partial withdrawal from Gaza and humanitarian access to the territory offer hope – and unfortunately, an excuse for Europe to continue doing nothing.When it comes to the war in Gaza, unlike Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European governments have shown their worst colours. They are divided, and their political splits have led to policy paralysis. But worse than sitting on the sidelines hand-wringing, European governments and EU institutions in Brussels can be accused of complicity in Israel’s war crimes. They have been unwilling to exert any pressure on the perpetrators, while continuing economic, political and...

Politics

1 week ago JD and Usha Vance arrive in Israel for urgent talks as Netanyahu drops 153 tons of bombs on Gaza

The vice president and second lady are hoping to shore up support for the historic peace deal brokered by Donald Trump between Israel and Hamas.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump’s peace plan is just about holding together, but may be unravelled by two unresolved issues | Rajan Menon

The withdrawal of Israeli troops and the establishment of an international stabilisation force are key in securing long-term peace, but the plan is dangerously vague on these issuesTwo years of death and destruction in Gaza ended once Israel and Hamas signed off on Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. A ceasefire is in place. Humanitarian trucks have begun to roll in. Hostages and prisoners are being exchanged. Israel has begun a first-phase pullback from the territories it controls, and under Trump’s plan its troops will eventually be deployed in a buffer zone along Gaza’s land border.Given these developments – all part of the opening phase – dismissing the momentous changes in Gaza is to deny reality. There have already been disputes over the return of the bodies of Israeli hostages, but there are unresolved longer-term problems that could derail the ceasefire and imperil the rest of the Trump plan.Rajan Menon is a professor emeritus of international relations at the City College o...

Politics

2 w. ago Gaza latest: Aid delivery ‘extremely challenging’ despite Israel

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said humanitarian groups have a ‘mountain to climb’ to deliver the necessary scale of aid in Gaza

Politics

2 w. ago Gaza latest: Trump threatens to ‘go in and kill Hamas’ if violence continues amid delays over dead hostages

Families of Israeli hostages demand termination of ceasefire deal if Hamas fails to return the 19 bodies remaining in Gaza

Events

2 w. ago Fears for Gaza ceasefire grow after Israel and Hamas accuse each other of breaching Trump’s peace

Hamas has claimed Israel has killed 24 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, while Israeli hostage families call on the truce to be terminated if the remaining bodies in Gaza are not returned

Politics

2 w. ago It’s taken only 24 hours, but Trump’s fairytale of peace in the Middle East seems doomed

As the ceasefire teeters after only a day, the region looks set to remain trapped in a dystopian, ever-violent Groundhog Day, writes chief international correspondent Bel Trew

Politics

2 w. ago Voices: Sorry, Donald Trump, but that’s not what I call a peace deal

No other world leader could have brought about this sequence of events to end the war in Gaza – but what happens when but the US president’s boastful speeches stop, asks former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert

Politics

2 w. ago Awkward! Starmer drops smile as Trump turns back on him at Middle East peace summit

The prime minister faced an awkward moment as Donald Trump appeared to invite him up to speak in front of reporters during the Middle East peace summit

Politics

2 w. ago Tears of joy after Hamas hell as Trump peace deals sees all 20 hostages released

Donald Trump's early stages of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas has seen the release of 20 hostages being returned today after months of hell in captivity

Economics

2 w. ago Trump hails 'historic' Gaza deal at peace summit with world leaders: 'Prayers of millions have been answered'

Donald Trump has hailed his “historic” peace deal between Israel and Hamas, which saw hundreds of hostages and prisoners released earlier today.

Politics

2 w. ago Why was the head of FIFA at Gaza peace summit? How football boss has built up friendship with Trump, backed his bid for Nobel Peace Prize and supported Israel

Stood proudly next to Donald Trump, Gianni Infantino may have surprised those who spotted him at Gaza's peace summit today.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump urges Israel to embrace ‘peace and prosperity’ as he takes victory lap in Knesset speech

President calls on Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu over bribery and fraud charges

Politics

2 w. ago Trump declares next stage of Gaza peace talks underway as Israel lashes out over hostage remains: Live updates

LIVE: Hamas has released the first seven Israeli hostages as part of a monumental ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Politics

2 w. ago Donald Trump is compared to Persian ruler Cyrus the Great in huge billboards across Israel after historic Gaza peace deal

Billboards and posters in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel today declared: 'Cyrus the Great is alive!'. The ruler, who founded the Persian Empire in the sixth century BC, is celebrated by Jews.

Politics

2 w. 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

2 w. ago Trump calls for Israel to ‘embrace its potential’ of ‘peace and prosperity’ as he takes victory lap in speech to Knesset

The president said towards the end of his remarks that Israeli President Isaac Herzog should pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the breach of trust, bribery, and fraud charges he faces

Politics

2 w. ago Trump hails 'dawn of a new Middle East' as he receives standing ovation in Israel's parliament after freeing hostages from Hamas captivity in historic Gaza peace deal

President Donald Trump trumpeted the dawn of a 'new Middle East' during a speech before the Israeli parliament on Monday, just over two years after Hamas militants invaded Israel.

Politics