United States President Joe Biden expresses his deep concern over the potential for increased violence in the Middle East, mentioning that the recent assassination of a top Hamas leader in Iran has hindered efforts to negotiate a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Biden disclosed that he had a frank discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to act promptly on the basis for a cease-fire that is already in place.
Netanyahu has asserted that Israel is committed to achieving “total victory” against Hamas but also expressed a desire for a swift cease-fire and is actively working towards that goal.
The recent killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut have raised concerns about a potential wider regional conflict. The situation escalated after Iran threatened retaliation for the attack on its soil, and Israel pledged to eliminate Hamas leaders following the group’s October 7 assault that triggered the current hostilities.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other international voices have joined in urging for a cease-fire, emphasizing that it is essential to halt the cycle of violence and alleviate suffering in the region.
Here are the latest updates:
An Australian investigation attributes a fatal drone strike on a Gaza aid convoy to Israeli military failures
MELBOURNE, Australia — An Australian inquiry has found that the Israeli military’s attack on a Gaza aid convoy that resulted in seven fatalities was due to severe lapses in defense protocols, misidentification, and poor decision-making.
Australian citizen Zomi Frankcom was among those killed in the Israeli drone attacks on World Central Kitchen vehicles on April 1. The investigation revealed that the convoy’s armed guards were likely mistaken for Hamas members. While two Israeli officers were dismissed and three were reprimanded, Frankcom’s family believes more accountability is necessary.
Former Chief of the Australian Defense Force, Mark Binskin, has been appointed as a special adviser on the matter and believes that Israel should issue an apology to the victims’ families.
A representative of the affected families welcomed the report as a crucial initial step and urged further investigations and appropriate actions against those responsible.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister declares a national day of mourning for slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh
ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan has called for a day of mourning and special funeral prayers for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran, Iran.
These special prayers are customary when a deceased person is a national of the country.
In a televised address, Sharif denounced the killing of Haniyeh and pledged to attend a special funeral service at a mosque in Islamabad.
Shortly after, Pakistan’s parliament approved a resolution expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, and condemning the assassination of the Hamas leader.
US President Biden expresses apprehension over escalating violence in the Middle East
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland — President Joe Biden expressed deep concern on Thursday that the violence in the Middle East could intensify, citing the recent assassination of a top Hamas leader in Iran as a hindrance to peace negotiations in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Biden shared that he had a candid conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day and stressed the urgent need to act on the existing framework for a cease-fire.
Speaking at an air base outside Washington, Biden underscored the importance of pursuing peace efforts after welcoming back three Americans who were released in a prisoner exchange earlier in the day.
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