International-News

Trump can stop the war in Gaza, says Hamas. Tension high in Lebanon

Hamas leader accuses Netanyahu of sabotaging negotiations. The United States vetoes the UN and sanctions the judges of the International Criminal Court. Raids also in Lebanon: tension rises with Beirut and Tehran

US President Donald Trump ‘is the only one capable of imposing a ceasefire’ in Gaza, if only he wanted to. This is according to Mohammed Nazzal, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, in an interview with the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. However, Nazzal admitted that ‘the conditions are not yet ripe for an agreement’, while assuring that the Islamist movement ‘is responding to Doha’s efforts to bridge the gap’ on the latest proposal put forward by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

According to Nazzal, the responsibility for the stalemate lies with Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition ‘do not want to end the war,’ he said, ‘because they have not yet achieved any of their strategic objectives: expelling the Palestinians from Gaza, dismantling the resistance or imposing a collaborationist government, a “Palestinian Karzai”.’

Meanwhile, Washington’s support for Israel has further strengthened. The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, blocking the approval of the text signed by the other 14 members. At the same time, the Trump administration announced sanctions against four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing an arrest warrant for Netanyahu. The sanctions prohibit the judges from entering the US and freeze any assets they may have in the country.

‘The United States will do whatever is necessary to protect its sovereignty and that of Israel,’ said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The ICC denounced the measures as an attempt to undermine its independence. But the Israeli prime minister rejoiced: “Thank you to President Trump and Secretary Rubio for defending Israel’s rights,” Netanyahu wrote on social media.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army continues its raids on Gaza. At least seven people were killed and many wounded in the bombing of a house in Jabalia, according to a medical source at Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, quoted by Al Jazeera. The same hospital was hit yesterday, killing four journalists.

The humanitarian crisis is worsening by the day. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed organisation, has suspended operations at its aid distribution centres due to violence near the sites, where Israeli forces opened fire on civilians seeking food. However, two centres distributed aid yesterday. Criticism has come from several humanitarian organisations and the United Nations, which say that the GHF’s approach does not guarantee safety. However, the US and Israel defend the decision, arguing that the previous networks were infiltrated by Hamas.

The Israeli offensive is not limited to Gaza. Tensions with Lebanon are also rising after new raids in Beirut against Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the attacks will continue until the group is disarmed. ‘There will be no calm in Beirut or stability in Lebanon without security for Israel,’ he said.

Beirut responded harshly: the Lebanese army denounced ‘a daily violation of sovereignty’ and accused Israel of wanting to sabotage the country’s recovery on the eve of Eid al-Adha. Iran also intervened, condemning the ‘aggression’ and speaking of a ‘blatant hostile act’ against Lebanon’s territorial integrity.

THE LATEST NEWS