International
The US and Morocco agree on the importance of promoting the peace proposal for Gaza
The United States and Morocco agreed on Monday on the importance of continuing to closely coordinate efforts to promote peace and security in the Gaza Strip and ensure the release of all the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke today with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, about the truce agreement that was announced on Friday by President Joe Biden, and which was criticized by members of the government of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Blinken told Bourita that the proposal would “enormously” benefit both Palestinians and Israelis, allow an increase in humanitarian assistance to Gaza, the return of the displaced and the start of international reconstruction efforts, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
The Secretary of State reiterated that Hamas should accept the proposal “without further delay.”
Hamas responded, a day after the proposal was announced, that it had valued it “positively,” while the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said that he “fervently hopes” that the proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza “lead to an agreement between the parties for a lasting peace.”
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, spoke with Netanyahu on Sunday and expressed his support for the proposal, which also has the support of the G7, the seven largest industrialized economies.
The group urged Hamas to accept the proposal for the cessation of hostilities, which have been extended for seven months.
Netanyahu, who has insisted that he wants a “total victory” over Hamas, avoided committing to the truce proposal on Monday and assured that the plan is incomplete.
Miller admitted today at a press conference that although Hamas remains “a threat” to Israel’s security because it continues to launch rockets against its territory, “this situation cannot be addressed only with a military response, but a political proposal is needed.”
Blinken also expressed to Bourita his gratitude to King Mohammed VI for Morocco’s humanitarian contributions to Gaza and stressed the importance of supporting this proposal as a means to build a “more integrated, peaceful and stable” Middle East region, Miller said.
He referred to the 40 tons of food aid sent to Gaza through an “unpublished” land route in the middle of this month and that was achieved thanks to good relations with Israel as a result of the rapprochement between the two countries in recent years and the normalization of their bilateral relations.
The Moroccan monarch took over with his personal resources a large part of the aid sent, especially that intended for babies and young children.
International
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
The Chinese government emphasized on Monday the importance of “creating the conditions to return to the proper path of dialogue” between Iran and Israel, which have exchanged attacks in recent days resulting in more than 20 Israeli and over 220 Iranian deaths.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed deep concern at a press conference over the Israeli attacks on Iran and the “sudden escalation” of the military conflict.
Guo called on all parties to “take immediate measures to ease tensions and prevent the region from descending into further turmoil,” stating that “force cannot bring lasting peace.”
“If the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify or even expand, the countries of the Middle East will be the first to suffer the consequences,” he added, while noting that China “will continue to maintain communication with the relevant parties, promoting peace and dialogue.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke last Saturday with his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory, which he described as a “violation of international law” with the potential to trigger “disastrous” consequences.
In both calls, Wang reiterated China’s rejection of the use of force, defended diplomacy as the only solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute, and offered China’s mediation to prevent further destabilization in the Middle East.
International
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Sunday the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the main suspect in the killing of Democratic legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband in a Brooklyn Park suburb on Friday night.
Boelter, who also reportedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning, was apprehended in Sibley County following an intensive manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers.
In a public statement, Governor Walz condemned Boelter’s “unthinkable actions,” which resulted in the death of a woman who “shaped the core of who we are as a state.”
“We cannot become numb to this. We are a deeply divided nation,” Walz said in a statement posted on his X account.
“We move forward not with hatred or violence, but with humility, grace, and civility,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the victims’ families, Walz said the entire state of Minnesota is in mourning. He also thanked law enforcement for their bravery and professionalism: “They have saved lives,” he emphasized.
“As we heal, we will not let fear win,” Walz concluded. “We must honor Melissa by moving forward with understanding, service, and above all, humanity.”
Throughout Sunday, police and sheriff units searched a rural area in Minnesota for Vance Luther Boelter, a security company director and preacher who, according to Governor Walz, acted out of politically motivated violence.
International
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
Approximately 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel following the closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating hostilities with Iran, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism reported on Monday.
The ministry has set up a virtual office to provide information via email (virtual@goisrael.gov.il) and phone (+972-53-583-5808), as well as a Facebook page called Israel Virtual Tourist Office.
Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz is in contact with hotels and accommodations across the country to offer support to tourists in need, the ministry added.
Many stranded travelers are considering crossing overland into Jordan or Egypt to seek flights from those countries. The Israel Airports Authority reminded the public that land border crossings remain open.
Three German tourists stranded in Jerusalem told EFE today that they have not received any assistance from their country’s embassy in Israel, and their primary option currently is to cross into Jordan to catch a flight from there.
Since early Friday morning, Israel launched operations against Iran, targeting military personnel and infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, as well as numerous residential areas in Tehran.
In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, some of which have struck various locations across the country, leaving at least 24 dead so far, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian health officials report at least 224 deaths, mostly civilians, including at least 17 senior military officials—nine from the Revolutionary Guard—and more than a dozen nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military has warned that many more “targets” remain, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared on Monday that it will continue missile attacks against Israel until its “destruction.”
China calls for dialogue amid rising Iran-Israel conflict
Suspect arrested in killing of Minnesota legislator and husband, governor Says
40,000 tourists stranded in Israel amid airspace shutdown over Iran conflict
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