President Joe Biden will meet with US negotiators on Monday to discuss a potential Gaza ceasefire deal in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The White House announced the meeting after six hostages, including an American citizen, were killed in Gaza. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running in the upcoming presidential election, will also attend the meeting.
The White House revised Biden’s official schedule to accommodate this important discussion. The meeting will focus on efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. The deaths of the hostages, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, have intensified the urgency of these negotiations.
Nationwide Strike in Israel to Pressure Government
A nationwide strike in Israel is set to begin today. The strike aims to increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Hostage relatives and advocates have criticized Netanyahu’s administration for not doing enough to bring the captives back alive. They have called for an immediate ceasefire to rescue the remaining hostages.
The strike has disrupted several services across the country. The Histadrut union, Israel’s largest labor union, called for the strike after the bodies of six hostages were recovered in a tunnel in southern Gaza. The union represents hundreds of thousands of workers across various sectors.
Palestinian Killed by Israeli Forces in West Bank
In the occupied West Bank, Jenin resident Ayman Rajeh Abed, 58, died after reportedly being beaten and tortured by Israeli security forces. The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society confirmed his death in a joint statement. The statement also mentioned that Abed was arrested from his home earlier today. Medical examinations revealed clear signs of handcuff marks and other injuries consistent with beatings and torture.
This incident adds to the escalating violence in the West Bank. At least 24 Palestinians have been killed since Wednesday in one of the largest Israeli raids in the region in decades.
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Israeli Labor Strike Disrupts Flights and Services
The nationwide strike in Israel has led to disruptions in flights and public services. Municipal services in several districts have been affected. Workers at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main air transport hub, are also on strike, leading to suspended services, though incoming flights continue to land.
The strike has also impacted bus and light rail services in many areas, with partial cancellations. Workers at Israel’s main commercial port in Haifa have joined the strike, and hospitals are only partially operational. Banks have also closed, though many private sector businesses remain open, with employers allowing staff to join the strike.
US Democrats Urge Gaza Ceasefire
Several US Democratic lawmakers have renewed calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following the deaths of six hostages in Gaza. However, Republican lawmakers have criticized President Biden and Vice President Harris for not providing stronger support to Israel.
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin expressed his sorrow over the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, echoing the sentiments of other US officials. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Tom Cotton criticized the Biden-Harris administration, accusing them of emboldening Hamas by calling for a ceasefire.
In a statement released late Saturday, Harris condemned Hamas for the killings, describing the group as an “evil terrorist organization.” She emphasized the need for the world to condemn Hamas’s brutality.
Malaysia and New Zealand Call for Immediate Ceasefire
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Luxon have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The two leaders stressed the importance of finding a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
Luxon, who is on a three-day visit to Malaysia, also announced plans to expand defense cooperation between the two countries. New Zealand will deploy one of its P8 Poseidon patrol aircraft to Malaysia for a joint exercise.
US Plans to Present Final Gaza Deal
The United States is preparing to present a final “take it or leave it” deal to Hamas and Israel in the coming weeks. The Washington Post reported that the US is discussing this proposal with mediating partners Egypt and Qatar. A senior Biden administration official stated that if the proposal is not accepted, it could mark the end of US-led negotiations. The official stressed that the negotiation process cannot continue indefinitely and must be concluded soon.
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