Palestinian militant groups and Israel agreed to end a weeks-long escalation of unrest along the Israel-Gaza border, Gazaâs ruling Islamist group Hamas and Israel said on Monday. Under the deal, brokered by a Qatari envoy, Hamas would end the launching of incendiary balloons, and Israel would end air strikes, said …
Read More »Jordan seeks more security guarantees in south Syria truce
Jordan hopes a cease-fire it helped negotiate in neighboring southern Syria will eventually lead to a secure border, the reopening of a vital trade crossing and a gradual return home for Syrian war refugees who sought asylum in the kingdom. For now, these goals seem out of reach as key …
Read More »Russia tells rebels to leave Syria’s Aleppo by Friday evening
The Levant News — Russia on Wednesday told anti-government rebels holed up in Syria’s Aleppo to leave by Friday evening, signaling it would extend a moratorium on air strikes against targets inside the city. The Russian Defence Ministry, which is helping forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad try to retake …
Read More »Kerry wants ‘all or nothing’ truce at Syria talks
MUNICH/BEIRUT | BY JOHN IRISH AND SULEIMAN AL-KHALIDI for Reuters — Major powers were beginning a new round of Syria peace talks on Thursday focusing on calls for a ceasefire and access for humanitarian aid. But with the Syrian opposition saying it cannot accept a truce in the current climate …
Read More »Israel’s Lieberman doubts Gaza truce can last
THE LEVANT – Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday he doubted the current Gaza ceasefire would hold over the long term and that disarming Gaza militants was not feasible anytime soon. After briefing Israeli journalists he was quoted across the local media as saying that he thought the …
Read More »Bibi tries to sell his victory on Hamas – Israelis are not buying it
THE LEVANT –Â Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that Israel achieved a “great military and political” victory over Hamas in the latest round of fighting in the Gaza Strip has met with skepticism from many Israelis, according to a poll published Thursday. The poll, published in the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper, shows …
Read More »British Jews and Muslims Call for Peace, Wisdom and Hope over Conflict in Israel and Palestine
THE LEVANT – Muslim Council of Britain  Press Release – Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Muslim Council of Britain are issuing the following joint statement: There is no doubt that Muslims and Jews have deeply held views about …
Read More »Ceasefire reached in Gaza
THE LEVANT –Â Palestinian and Israeli authorities have reportedly reached an agreement on a permanent ceasefire for the besieged Gaza Strip after more than a month of Israeli terror campaign on the coastal territory. According to Palestinian sources, the Palestinians and the Israelis agreed to a permanent ceasefire on Tuesday. “The …
Read More »Egypt proposes new Gaza ceasefire, says Palestinian official
THE LEVANT Â – Egyptian mediators have proposed a new ceasefire in Gaza that would open the blockaded enclave’s crossings and allow in aid and reconstruction materials, a senior Palestinian official said on Monday. The Palestinians, including the de facto Hamas rulers of the enclave, would be willing to accept such …
Read More »Ceasefire in Gaza extends for a day
THE LEVANT – The announcement that the two sides had agreed to extend the ceasefire for another day came shortly before it was set to expire at midnight local time on Monday. “Palestinians and Israelis agreed on extending the ceasefire by 24 hours to continue current negotiations,” said a statement released by the …
Read More »Fresh 72-hour truce begins in Gaza
THE LEVANT –Â A fresh 72-hour ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect in Gaza Monday, paving the way for talks in Egypt aimed at a durable end to a month-long conflict that has wreaked devastating bloodshed. The agreement, which began at 00:01 am (2101 GMT on Sunday), clinched days …
Read More »Truce, Peace and Gaza
THE LEVANT – A definitive end to the four-week conflict in Gaza appeared possible on Tuesday morning as an agreed 72-hour ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect and the Israeli military said it had withdrawn from the Palestinian territory. The suspension of hostilities came into force at 8am on Tuesday and is due to be followed …
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