Israeli Delegation Heads to Qatar for Gaza Truce Talks
Fresh Round of Ceasefire Negotiations
Israeli negotiators will travel to Doha today for another round of talks on extending the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The discussions come after Israel cut electricity supplies to the region to increase pressure on Hamas.
The first phase of the truce ended on March 1 without an agreement on the next steps. Both sides have avoided large-scale fighting but remain far apart on the terms of a second phase.
Key Differences Between Israel and Hamas
Hamas has repeatedly called for immediate negotiations on a lasting truce. In contrast, Israel prefers extending the current arrangement before discussing long-term peace.
The truce has significantly reduced violence since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. However, without a new agreement, the risk of renewed conflict remains high.
Hamas Condemns Israeli Power Cut
Hamas has strongly criticized Israel’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza, calling it an unfair pressure tactic. Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, accused Israel of using “blackmail” against Palestinians.
“We strongly condemn the occupation’s decision to cut electricity to Gaza after already depriving its people of food, medicine, and water,” he said.
The move adds to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where residents struggle with severe shortages of essential supplies.
US Immigration Agents Arrest Columbia University Protester
In New York, US immigration agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, on Saturday. Khalil, a legal US resident, has been active in campus protests but was not involved in the controversial April building occupation.
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His arrest follows President Trump’s crackdown on foreign students linked to pro-Palestinian activism. Civil rights groups have condemned the move, calling it an attempt to silence dissent.
The Trump administration has also cut $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University, citing concerns over antisemitism on campus.
Syrian Leader Warns of Civil War Threat
Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has warned that the country is facing attempts to drag it into a civil war. In a speech on Sunday, he said violent clashes continue as opposition forces challenge the new government.
Sharaa urged former regime loyalists to surrender immediately, saying the country must move forward. His comments come amid growing instability following the end of Assad’s decades-long rule.
The situation in Gaza, Syria, and the US remains tense. Israel and Hamas are locked in complex negotiations, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian activism faces challenges in the US, and Syria struggles with political instability.
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