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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR A senior Hamas political official told the Associated Press (AP) that was group was willing to agree to a truce of five or more years with Israel and would lay down arms and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is created along pre-1967 borders. Khalil Al-Hayya told AP: “Hamas would accept a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions, along Israel’s pre-1967 borders.” Meanwhile, a foreign policy adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - Ophir Falk - said, “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government set a mission to destroy Hamas’ military and governing capabilities in Gaza, free the hostages and ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel and the rest of the civilised world in the future. Those goals will be achieved.” Image Source - Al Jazeera #israel #israelgazawar #palestine #hamás #benjaminnetanyahu #palestine🇵🇸 #humanrights #palestinianrights

NEO Morning Observer: Cyprus Strikes Back. Cyprus this morning announced the suspension of foreign visitor visas for Lebanese nationals following the threats issued by Hassan Nasrallah. Cyprus has stated that they will not allow their territory to be used by any foreign forces and there will be no support of either side in the current conflict. Cyprus also made a statement that Cyprus and Lebanon have a strong historic connection. Cyprus and the Levant coast have deep historic connections extending into antiquity and it has mainly consisted of trade relationships. The words of Nasrallah certainly do not help and it threatens to extend the conflict into yet another area. Yemen, Gaza, the Lebanese border, Syria, Iraqi resistance groups, and Iran have all been parts of this conflict. There is no word at this time as to what Cyprus would do if they are struck. In Israel Daniel Haggardi spoke an unfortunate truth, he stated that HAMAS is an idea, something that can never truly be eliminated as the Netanyahu government has vowed. At this moment we are not certain what will happen to him but the government has been attempting to walk back the comments. It is a truthful statement and it needs to be confronted by the Israeli people if they are going to be able to deal with the fact that HAMAS is alive in many countries and could be re-implemented in Gaza at the end of the war. Israel could eliminate some of the militant elements of the organization but it will need to remain vigilant and to deal with the organization as Germany has had to deal with those who still hold NAZI ideology. However, that could also run a significant risk, Israel claims to be a democracy but in such a country there is a value on freedom of speech. If there are limitations imposed on speech then the very concept of democracy is in danger of being reduced to the lowest common denominator of just simply having an elected body not being a people or nation that upholds a range of democracy that makes the vote meaningful. Meaningful votes are based on the free and unafraid exchange of ideas. #HAMAS #ISRAEL #Israel #Bowden #James #Cyprus #Hezbollah #War #Near #East #Observers

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that the country's embassy and consulate in Syria, along with key holy shrines, will be protected following recent unrest. Despite a brief intrusion into the embassy, Araghchi emphasized the situation was unorganized and non-violent. He reiterated Iran's support for Syria's government while stressing that Iran does not intend to replace Syrian forces. Meanwhile, President Assad, who fled to Russia following a rebel advance into Damascus, has been granted asylum. #PukaarPakistan #Iran #Syria #Assad #MiddleEast #DiplomaticProtection #HolyShrines #RebelAdvance #Russia #PoliticalSupport #SyriaCrisis

Since the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002, 57 Muslim-Arab countries have regularly proposed peace and security to Israel. They proposed fully normalized diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for: (a) complete withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan Heights, to the 4 June 1967 lines and the territories still occupied in southern Lebanon; (b) a just solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees, to be agreed upon in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution No. 194; and (c) acceptance of the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state in the Palestinian territories occupied since 4 June 1967, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This is exactly what the International Court declared in 2024: that the Palestinians have the right to an independent state within the entire occupied territories.

Turkey’s embassy in Syria resumes operations — TV channel It has been closed since March 2012 ANKARA, December 14/ The Turkish Embassy in Damascus has resumed operations after a nearly 13-year-long hiatus, CNN Turk said, noting that the Turkish flag was hoisted above the diplomatic mission. Earlier, Turkey appointed Ambassador to Mauritania Burhan Koroglu as the charge d'affaires ad interim to Syria. According to the TV channel, he is currently at the embassy. The Turkish Embassy in Syria has been closed since March 2012 when relations between the two countries completely froze over serious political differences around the internal Syrian conflict. #business #finance #financialservices

Sources revealed on Tuesday that a breakthrough agreement to end the 14-month conflict in Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages could be signed in the coming days. Talks in Cairo, with U.S. officials and mediators from Egypt and Qatar, are reportedly making significant progress. The U.S. administration has intensified diplomatic efforts in recent days, aiming to secure a deal before President Joe Biden leaves office next month. While specifics remain confidential, the agreement is expected to include both a ceasefire and provisions for the release of hostages held by Palestinian groups. The ongoing war in Gaza has led to thousands of deaths and widespread displacement, prompting international calls for a resolution. Both parties have shown a willingness to engage in talks, although challenges remain in reaching a final agreement. If successful, the deal would mark a major step toward de-escalating the violence and could bring long-awaited relief to the region. #Gaza #Ceasefire #HostageRelease #MiddleEastPeace #USDiplomacy #Biden Administration #GazaConflict #PeaceTalks #CairoNegotiations #IsraelPalestine #Egypt #Qatar #InternationalDiplomacy #EndTheWar #GazaCeasefire #ConflictResolution

🇷🇼🇨🇩 Tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) escalated this past weekend as the DRC recalled its embassy staff in Kigali amidst the ongoing conflict involving the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels. In a statement issued on Saturday, the DRC's foreign ministry revealed its decision to withdraw diplomats from Rwanda, citing concerns over the escalating situation. The statement also instructed the Rwandan embassy in Kinshasa to cease all diplomatic and consular activities within 48 hours. The conflict stems from long-standing accusations, with the DRC alleging that Rwanda is providing support to the M23 rebels, a claim that Rwanda has firmly denied. In turn, Rwanda has accused the DRC of aiding the remnants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia group responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. These mutual accusations have intensified diplomatic hostilities between the two nations, which share a border and have been involved in multiple conflicts over the years. The diplomatic standoff saw the last Rwandan diplomat in Kinshasa leave the Congolese capital, following claims of threats from DRC officials. Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, responded, emphasizing the difficult situation and reiterating that the departure of the diplomat came under duress. As the situation remains volatile, this diplomatic rupture adds to the complex and ongoing tensions in the region, which continue to challenge peace efforts in Central Africa. #Rwanda #DRC #DiplomaticTensions #M23Rebels #CentralAfrica #InternationalRelations #PeaceAndSecurity #ConflictInAfrica

With the #Taliban coming back to power in 2021, it has become important to understand the rationale behind India’s engagement with the new Afghan administration, despite India not recognizing the Taliban regime as the legitimate government of #Afghanistan. This article shall in brief highlight the reasons that determine India’s engagement with the current Taliban regime. https://lnkd.in/gsuwe9TK

1 May 07:25: (Shared a day late, sorry): Overnight (29 Apr) Military and Geopolitical report on Israel 🇮🇱, Gaza 🇵🇸, Hamas 👺🤮, and greater Middle East from the Institute for the Study of War/American Enterprise Institute Critical Threats Program team: In full - maps follow: ‘ - Political Negotiations: Hamas is considering an Egyptian-proposed ceasefire deal that would have Hamas release 20 to 33 Israeli hostages alive. Western outlets reported the proposal involves new Israeli concessions. Hamas has not changed its maximalist position in the negotiations since December 2023. - Iran: Delegations from Russia, North Korea, and several African countries, among others, have traveled to Tehran for an international trade exhibition. The exhibition is part of the Iranian effort to undermine Western sanctions by increasing Iranian exports and economic cooperation with other countries. Iran remains particularly focused on selling military equipment. - Gaza Strip: The World Central Kitchen announced the resumption of its humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip. The IDF separately announced the expansion of its humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza Strip. - Iraq: Some Iraqi parliamentarians have backed a motion to designate the US ambassador to Iraq as a persona non grata. The parliamentarians are responding to the ambassador condemning a newly passed law that criminalises homosexuality in Iraq. - Syria: The Syrian regime reportedly deployed forces to Suwayda Province, as anti-regime activity has continued mounting there. Anti-regime protests have fluctuated across the province since August 2023. #israel #gaza #hamas #middleast #linkedintopvoices’: Thank you, General and ISW+ Team: