White House says Hamas making ‘very bad bet’ in Gaza talks

White House says Hamas making ‘very bad bet’ in Gaza talks
Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas block traffic during a protest demanding the release of all hostages, in Tel Aviv, Mar. 13, 2025. (Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 14 March 2025
Follow

White House says Hamas making ‘very bad bet’ in Gaza talks

White House says Hamas making ‘very bad bet’ in Gaza talks
  • “Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not,” a statement said
  • “Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes“

WASHINGTON: The White House accused Hamas on Friday of making “entirely impractical” demands and stalling on a deal to release a US-Israeli hostage in exchange for an extension of the Gaza ceasefire.
“Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not,” a statement from the office of President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and the US National Security Council said.
“Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes,” it said, adding that Trump had already vowed Hamas would “pay a severe price” for not freeing hostages.
Hamas said earlier on Friday it was ready to free an Israeli-American hostage and the remains of four others, after the Palestinian militants and Israel resumed indirect Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
Witkoff presented a “bridge” proposal in Qatar on Wednesday to extend the first phase of the truce to mid-April if Hamas releases living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
“Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this ‘bridge’ would have to be implemented soon — and that dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire,” it added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asked if the United States was prioritizing the release of the American hostage, said: “We care about all the hostages.”
“We’re acting like this is a normal exchange, this is a normal thing that happens. This is an outrage. So they should all be released,” Rubio told reporters after Group of Seven talks in Canada.
“I’m not going to comment on what we’re going to accept and not accept, other than that all of us — the whole world — should continue to say that what Hamas has done is outrageous, it’s ridiculous, it’s sick, it’s disgusting,” he said.


Israeli settlers establish illegal outpost near Palestinian Authority’s administrative city of Ramallah

Israeli settlers establish illegal outpost near Palestinian Authority’s administrative city of Ramallah
Updated 39 sec ago
Follow

Israeli settlers establish illegal outpost near Palestinian Authority’s administrative city of Ramallah

Israeli settlers establish illegal outpost near Palestinian Authority’s administrative city of Ramallah
  • Settlers establish site on ruins of displaced Palestinian family’s home
  • Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported in May attempts by settlers to establish 15 new illegal outposts in West Bank

LONDON: Israeli settlers have established a new outpost on land belonging to Palestinians east of Ramallah, the administrative city of the Palestinian Authority.

The settlers have established the outpost on the ruins of a home belonging to a Palestinian family that was forcibly displaced nearly a year ago following a series of attacks in the village of Al-Taybeh, the Palestine News Agency reported.

Israeli settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law and have long been viewed as hindrances to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and to achieving peace.

The PA’s affiliated Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported in May on attempts by Israeli settlers to establish 15 new illegal outposts in the West Bank, mainly on agricultural and pastoral land.

These outposts are distributed across several governorates, including six in Ramallah and Al-Bireh; two in Salfit, Tubas, and Bethlehem; and one each in Jericho and Nablus.


Israel defense ministry says arms exports hit all time high in 2024

Israel defense ministry says arms exports hit all time high in 2024
Updated 04 June 2025
Follow

Israel defense ministry says arms exports hit all time high in 2024

Israel defense ministry says arms exports hit all time high in 2024
  • “Israel again reached an all-time peak in defense exports in 2024,” the ministry said

JERUSALEM: Israel’s defense ministry said Wednesday that its arms exports hit an all-time high of more than $14.7 billion in 2024, with a sharp rise in deals with Arab Gulf states, despite international criticism of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

“Israel again reached an all-time peak in defense exports in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive record-breaking year in the scope of defense agreements,” the ministry, which oversees and approves the exports of Israel’s defense industries, said in a statement.


Suspected crypto kidnappings mastermind arrested in Morocco

Suspected crypto kidnappings mastermind arrested in Morocco
Updated 04 June 2025
Follow

Suspected crypto kidnappings mastermind arrested in Morocco

Suspected crypto kidnappings mastermind arrested in Morocco
  • France thanks Morocco for arresting 24-year-old after kidnappings targeting French crypto entrepreneurs

PARIS: France’s justice minister on Wednesday said that Morocco had arrested a man suspected of ordering a series of kidnappings targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs in France.
“I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly in the fight against organized crime,” Gerald Darmanin said on X.


Turkiye’s AJet to start flights to Syria’s Damascus

Turkiye’s AJet to start flights to Syria’s Damascus
Updated 04 June 2025
Follow

Turkiye’s AJet to start flights to Syria’s Damascus

Turkiye’s AJet to start flights to Syria’s Damascus
  • AJet said flights from Sabiha Gokcen airport will begin from Jun. 16
  • Flights to Damascus from Ankara will start from Jun. 17

ISTANBUL: Turkish Airlines subsidiary AJet said it will start flights to Damascus International from Istanbul and Ankara airports in mid-June.

AJet said in a statement that flights from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport will begin from Jun. 16. Flights will initially take place four times per week before operating daily from July, it added.

Flights to Damascus from the Turkish capital Ankara will start from Jun. 17, three-times per week, the carrier also said.

Turkish Airlines resumed flights to Damascus in January after a 13-year suspension.

Turkiye, a close ally of the new government in Damascus, has pledged to support the country’s reconstruction. Ankara has already helped with the improvement and maintenance of Syria’s airports, the Turkish transport minister has said.


UAE president meets Egypt’s Sisi in Abu Dhabi

UAE president meets Egypt’s Sisi in Abu Dhabi
Updated 04 June 2025
Follow

UAE president meets Egypt’s Sisi in Abu Dhabi

UAE president meets Egypt’s Sisi in Abu Dhabi

DUBAI: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met his counterpart Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.  
El-Sisi, who is on a visit to the UAE, arrived at the presidential airport and was received by the UAE leader along with a number of senior officials.