International
Israel’s delegation leaves Cairo after a new stalemate in the truce negotiations
The delegation of Israel led by the heads of the Mosad and Shin Bet left Cairo on Sunday after a day of indirect negotiations that has not brought results or progress to reach a truce in the Gaza Strip, sources close to the talks told EFE.
According to the informants, who asked not to be identified, the Israeli team – composed of the heads of the Mosad and Shin Bet, David Barnea and Ronen Bar, and Major General Nitzan Alon, who oversees the talks on behalf of the Army – will inform the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, of the status of the talks.
An Egyptian source indicated that an agreement can only be reached if Israel abandons its insistence on keeping its troops in the Philadelphia corridor, one of Cairo’s main demands since this axis separates the Strip with the Egyptian peninsula of Sinai.
However, he stated that Israel would have preliminarily approved the presence of employees of the Palestinian National Authority at the Rafah crossing, which connects with Egypt and has been closed since May, although it would not allow the Palestinian flag to be hoisted at the crossing.
Likewise, the source indicated that the Israeli team demanded that in the first phase of the truce eight of its military positions be maintained in the Philadelphia corridor.
The informants indicated that the Egyptian and Qatari mediators, supported by a delegation from the United States, demanded a truce in Gaza of between 5 and 7 days to bring urgent medical aid and vaccines to the punished population of the Palestinian enclave, where more than 40,000 people have died since last October 7.
On the other hand, the delegation of the Islamist group Hamas that moved to Cairo to participate in a process of consultations with the teams of Egypt and Qatar, also left the Egyptian capital after holding a series of meetings with the mediators and learning about the current state of the negotiations, according to a statement from the Palestinian movement.
Hamas reiterated its demands on the need for Israel to implement the draft it accepted on July 2, based on a proposal presented in May by U.S. President Joe Biden, which included the end of hostilities and the total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in a second phase.
In addition, he stated that “any agreement must include a permanent ceasefire” and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, something that Netanyahu opposes.
The Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip left at least 71 dead and 112 injured in the last 24 hours, according to the daily report of the Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by Hamas, most of them in the area of Jan Yunis and Deir al Balah.
Since the beginning of the war in the devastated Palestinian enclave, more than 10 months ago, at least 40,405 people have died and more than 93,468 have been injured, according to the records of the hospitals of the Strip.
In addition, the health authorities estimate that the bodies of about 10,000 missing people are still buried under the rubble, without rescue teams being able to access them.
The Ministry also reported that the European hospital in Gaza, located south of Jan Yunis, began operating today, including the specialties of surgery, pediatrics and internal medicine, after being out of service for 50 days despite the lack of resources.
Meanwhile, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused the current president, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday of “torpedoing” the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip, which he said leads the country towards a comprehensive war in the region.
“Netanyahu does not want the hostages to return,” Olmert said, referring to the 105 who have been in the hands of Hamas for more than 10 months, – at least a third already dead – but to prolong negotiations and a war that could degenerate into an escalation of violence against the Shiite group Hizbulah and Iran.
Olmert, a very critical voice against the management of the current president, commanded the country between 2006 and 2009, years before entering prison for corruption due to previous actions during his time as mayor of Jerusalem (1993-2003).
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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