France says it obtains Palestinian reform pledge ahead of conference

France says it obtains Palestinian reform pledge ahead of conference

France said on Tuesday it had obtained new commitments from the Palestinian Authority to reform, ahead of a conference next week at which Paris could become the most prominent Western power to back recognition of an independent Palestinian state. President Emmanuel Macron has received a letter from Mahmoud Abbas in which the Palestinian president condemns … Read more

Trump says he believes a Gaza ceasefire deal is close

Trump says he believes a Gaza ceasefire deal is close

President Donald Trump said on Friday he believes an agreement is close on a Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and that it could be announced soon. US officials have been waiting on a formal response from Hamas about what a source said is a proposed 60-day Gaza ceasfire deal. Trump, speaking to reporters … Read more

Syria, Lebanon’s moves to centralise power leads to crackdowns on Palestinian factions

Syria, Lebanon’s moves to centralise power leads to crackdowns on Palestinian factions

Lebanon and Syria are cracking down on Palestinian factions that for decades have had an armed presence in both countries and which on some occasions were used to plan and launch attacks against Israel. The crackdown comes as Syria’s new rulers under Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are pursuing officials of the former government under … Read more

‘3 more hostages killed, only 21 believed to be alive,’ says Trump on hostages held by Hamas in Gaza

‘3 more hostages killed, only 21 believed to be alive,’ says Trump on hostages held by Hamas in Gaza

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that three more hostages held by militant group Hamas in Gaza have been killed, and only 21 hostages are believed to be alive. Trump said that 24 hostages were alive in Gaza when he last met former Israeli hostages during their visit to White House, but “as of … Read more