International
The mediators will continue the meetings in Cairo after “constructive” negotiations in Doha
The mediators for a truce in Gaza – the United States, Qatar and Egypt – announced on Friday the end of “constructive” negotiations in Doha, and affirmed that the conversation about a US proposal “that closes the gaps” between Israel and Hamas will continue in Cairo.
In a joint statement, the mediators described the negotiations they held on Thursday and Friday with an Israeli negotiating delegation in Doha as “intensive, serious and constructive” and stated that “they were developed in a positive atmosphere.”
The note stressed that “the US today presented a proposal to the two parties (Israel and Hamas), with the support of Qatar and Egypt, which reduces the gaps,” and assured that that offer “is consistent with the principles (of the proposal) of US President Joe Biden,” announced on May 31
He explained that this new US proposal “builds on the points of agreement achieved (…), and closes the remaining gaps in a way that allows a rapid implementation of the ceasefire agreement” in Gaza.
According to the statement, “technical teams will continue work for the next few days on the details (…) including preparations to implement the humanitarian details,” as well as “those related to Palestinian hostages (Israelis) and prisoners”.
In this context, he stressed that “high officials of our Governments will meet again in Cairo before the end of next week with the desire to reach an agreement in accordance with the conditions proposed today.”
The mediators also recalled in the statement that “there is no more time to waste,” and “there are no excuses for any of the parties to justify a further delay.”
Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group say they accept Biden’s proposal, although in recent weeks both the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas spokesmen have accused each other of imposing amendments to the US president’s plan.
Hamas has repeatedly insisted that a ceasefire agreement include a definitive cessation of military operations and the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, including the Rafah land crossing and the Philadelphia corridor, both on the border of the Palestinian Strip with Egypt.
For his part, Netanyahu demands, among other demands, the implementation of an Israeli control mechanism in the Netzarim corridor – which divides the north and south of Gaza since the beginning of the war – to ensure that the militiamen do not regroup in the north.
He also insists on the presence of the Israeli Army in the Philadelphia corridor to prevent arms smuggling.
“It is time to release the hostages and prisoners, start a ceasefire and implement the agreement,” the joint statement said, and said: “now the way is paved to achieve that result, save lives, offer help to the people of Gaza and calm tensions in the region.
The mediators, as well as the international community, are pushing for the new round of negotiations to be successful because it is one of the few hopes to avoid an eventual expansion of the war in the Middle East, in the face of Iran’s threat to attack Israel and the possible responses of that country
The Islamist organization Hamas showed its dissatisfaction with what was discussed in the Doha negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, assuring that what it has been able to know about them “does not include a commitment to what was agreed on July 2,” referring to the original proposal put forward by the United States, whose implementation they demand.
The Islamist organization, which has governed de facto in Gaza since 2007, did not send a delegation to Doha precisely to demand the implementation of what was previously agreed “instead of continuing with new rounds of negotiations.”
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
International
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in the early hours of Thursday (Wednesday afternoon in El Salvador) that France will take part in “Operation Arctic Resistance,” after Denmark announced it would expand its military presence in Greenland amid rising tensions with the United States over Washington’s stated ambitions regarding the semi-autonomous territory.
“At Denmark’s request, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland, ‘Operation Arctic Resistance,’” Macron said in a brief message posted on social media at 5:18 p.m.
The French president added that “the first French military elements are already on their way, with others to follow,” though he did not specify the number of troops being deployed or the scale of France’s planned contribution.
The governments of Sweden, Norway and Germany have also confirmed the deployment of military contingents to Greenland. Germany’s armed forces will send a 13-member reconnaissance team to the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, to take part in a mission scheduled to run from Thursday through Saturday, according to the German Ministry of Defence.
Denmark’s announcement came shortly before a Danish delegation met at the White House with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Washington’s plans regarding Greenland. Copenhagen said the military activities would be carried out “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”
International
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
Iranian authorities closed the country’s airspace in the early hours of Thursday, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, amid growing threats of a possible U.S. attack as protests across the country continue and have reportedly left thousands dead.
According to FlightRadar24, the Iranian government suspended all flights to and from the country, except for international flights that have received special authorization. The notice was initially issued for a duration of just over two hours.
The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump in recent days threatened to strike Iran if its security forces failed to halt the deaths linked to weeks-long protests that began in Tehran and later spread to other Iranian cities. Despite the threats, the White House said diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred option.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump claimed that “the deaths in Iran have stopped” and said there would be no executions of protesters following his warnings to Tehran. He added that his administration would seek to verify those claims.
“I’ve been told the deaths in Iran are stopping. They’ve stopped, and that there are no plans for executions,” Trump told reporters, cautioning that the United States would be “very upset” if those assurances proved to be untrue.
The statements contrast with reports from rights groups. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said on Wednesday that more than 3,400 people have been killed since the protests erupted. Meanwhile, Kurdish-Iranian rights group Hengaw reported this week that a 26-year-old Iranian man, Erfan Soltani, was facing execution as of Wednesday.
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
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