Israeli hostage families increase protests against their countries leaders …..
US official’s are back in the Middle East working for a pause in the conflict with hostage releases …
The UN will hand down a decision on South Africa’s case against Israel for genocide…
More people hurt and killed by Israel fire around a Gaza hospital….
Israel troops keep levelling Gaza….
A LOT of US Senator’s are in favor of the ‘Two State Solution”, something Netanyahu is STRONGLY AGAINST….
Here’s what we know:
Families of hostages have taken more aggressive steps, trying to increase pressure on the Israeli government to give priority to the captives’ return.
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The C.I.A. director is set to talk with Israeli officials about a possible new hostage deal.
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Gaza health authorities say a strike hit a crowd waiting for aid in the north.
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Israel rearrests a Palestinian detainee who was freed in a hostage swap in November.
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The U.S. and U.K. impose new sanctions on four Houthi leaders.
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An initial decision is expected in the genocide case against Israel. Here’s what to know.
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U.S. moves toward withdrawing more troops from Iraq.
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What’s happening with negotiations over a cease-fire and hostage release?….
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US Senate support for ‘Two State Solution’
Days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his opposition to Palestinian statehood, nearly half the Senate is poised to go on record backing a two-state solution for the Israelis and Palestinians as the only viable option for Israel’s peace, security and future as a Jewish democracy.
Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, on Wednesday told reporters the amendment he plans to file to the national security emergency supplemental spending bill has already drawn 48 co-sponsors and more are possible. Bipartisan negotiations on the broader measure still need to hash out the details of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and for domestic border security.
The Schatz amendment would reaffirm longstanding U.S. policy of supporting a “negotiated comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace, security, dignity, and mutual recognition,” according to the text….
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Biden CIA Dir Burns is back in the Middle East working for a cease fire and hostage release’s….
William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, plans to travel to Europe to meet with senior Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials, in a sign the United States is pushing to secure a deal to release the hostages being held in the Gaza Strip and broker a prolonged cease-fire, according to U.S. officials.
U.S. officials said Israel’s apparent willingness to agree to a cessation of hostilities in return for the release of more hostages being held in Gaza has created a new opening for negotiations.
Any new deal would likely include phased releases of hostages, though the White House is hoping that a more ambitious one, possibly leading to the release of all of the remaining hostages, might be possible. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive diplomacy.
Mr. Burns and David Barnea, the chief of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, helped broker a deal in November that led to a weeklong pause in the fighting and the release of more than 100 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel. The talks were mediated by Qatar, which was negotiating with Hamas, as well as by Egypt.
Mr. Barnea and Mr. Burns are set to meet with Qatar’s prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, and Abbas Kamel, the head of Egypt’s intelligence service, for the renewed talks. American officials would not reveal the precise location of the meeting for security purposes, and requested that the precise timing of Mr. Burns’ trip not be disclosed….
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