ceasefire

Negotiations to consolidate the US-backed truce in Gaza are at a "critical" moment, Qatar's prime minister said Friday, as mediators press to move the cease-fire to its next phase while violence continues to flare. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told a Doha Forum panel that mediators were working to "force the next phase" of the cease-fire forward, calling the current halt in fighting a pause rather than a resolution. "We are at a critical moment. It's not yet there," he said. The truce took effect Oct. 10 and…

Thailand Suspends Enhanced Ceasefire With Cambodia After New Blast, Halts Return of POWs Thailand announced on Thursday that it would pause implementation of an enhanced ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and delay the return of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war after a landmine blast injured four Thai soldiers, in a fresh sign that a fragile truce between the neighbours is fraying. Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit told reporters the government in Bangkok would not proceed with elements of the October accord — signed last…

Towards Peace: A Fragile Ceasefire Agreement in the Congo In a development that offers a glimmer of hope amidst ongoing turbulence, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have reached an agreement to establish a joint ceasefire monitoring body. The announcement, made through social media statements from both entities, marks a crucial step forward, emerging from protracted negotiations in the opulent surroundings of Doha, Qatar. This agreement, however, arrives…

A fragile pause, a political gamble: what the new Gaza ceasefire really means Israel’s cabinet has approved a deal that, if implemented, would halt fighting in Gaza within 24 hours and set in motion the release of hostages held by Hamas over the last two years. For U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped shepherd the talks, it is a diplomatic trophy he says he will celebrate in person. For families who have spent nights in Hostages Square and displaced Palestinians sheltering under tarpaulin, it is a moment of raw,…

Ceasefire Holds as Gazans Stream Back to Ruins and Uncertainty Under a truce that went into effect at midday local time, thousands of displaced Palestinians began a slow, solemn return to the shattered neighborhoods of Gaza on Saturday as Israeli forces pulled back from some urban positions. The first trickle of people soon became a flood, as families who had lived for months in tented camps walked north along the coastal road toward Gaza City, many stepping over rubble and past burnt-out buildings to stand again where…

Somalia's Call for Peace Echoes Amid Gaza Conflict In a world wrought with geopolitical tensions, Somalia has taken a definitive stance, urging a cease-fire in the embattled Gaza Strip. During an emergency session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Somalia's Foreign Minister, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, condemned the escalating violence and pleaded for urgent protection for civilians in Gaza. Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry,…

Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon, launching a series of attacks just one day after Lebanese officials hinted at their consideration of a US-mediated ceasefire. This conflict is deeply rooted in a web of alliances, with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad enjoying the backing of Iran, Israel’s primary adversary. Notably, Iran has expressed its eagerness for a rapid conclusion to the ongoing hostilities that have gripped Lebanon for nearly two months. Since September 23, Israel has…

Israel's military has unleashed a series of intense airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, marking one of the most significant daytime assaults in the region. This ramped-up offensive comes after the Israeli defense minister made clear there would be no ceasefire until their objectives were fully realized. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising over Beirut as approximately ten airstrikes rained down throughout the morning hours. In a warning distributed via social media, the Israeli army informed locals of their…

In a compelling demonstration of solidarity, the Federal Republic of Somalia's head honcho, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, threw his weight behind the Palestinian cause, making an impassioned plea for an immediate halt to hostilities. "The bloodshed must stop," he declared, emphasizing the necessity of freeing all captives and prisoners. "This is not just about peace, it's about preserving lives and easing suffering." Speaking at the high-stakes Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, President Mohamud laid bare…

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bids Welcome to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Doha(Source: AFP) Qatar is under a bit of pressure from Uncle Sam, who wants the country to evict Hamas's political bigwigs by the end of the next month. This inside scoop comes from two insiders who spilled the beans to The National over the weekend. Qatar has acted as a cozy haven for these Palestinian leaders since 2012 after Khaled Meshaal moved there from Syria. Meshaal had been the head honcho of Hamas for over 20 years until 2017. It's…