U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he is hopeful Hamas will accept an “extraordinarily generous” offer, as U.K. Foreign Minister David Cameron says it will include a 40-day ceasefire. But the sticking points remain: Israelis want a truce while Hamas demands a cessation of all hostilities.

Riyadh

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

The United States and the United Kingdom have called on Hamas to accept an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the offer as "extraordinarily generous," signifying a significant effort by Israel toward peace. U.K. Foreign Minister David Cameron has further detailed that the proposal includes a 40-day ceasefire. Despite these calls, challenges in reaching an agreement persist due to differing expectations from the involved parties; Israel is seeking a truce, while Hamas demands a complete cessation of all hostilities.

During recent statements, Blinken expressed optimism for the potential of restarting stalled ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel. He emphasized the importance of Hamas's decision in this critical moment, suggesting that the group's acceptance of the Israeli proposal could immediately lead to a ceasefire, which would significantly benefit the people of Gaza. However, Hamas has denied allegations of delaying a ceasefire, accusing the Israeli Prime Minister of prioritizing political survival over achieving a lasting peace agreement.

Efforts by mediators from Qatar and Egypt have been ongoing to facilitate a new ceasefire agreement, though frustrations are mounting due to the complex dynamics of the conflict. Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the lack of a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a major barrier to lasting peace in the Middle East. He stressed the need for international efforts to address the military escalation and bring an end to the daily violence in the Gaza Strip.

In the background of these diplomatic efforts, U.S. officials are working towards building consensus for a post-ceasefire governance in Gaza, emphasizing the transition to a new Palestinian Authority. This move was met with resistance from Hamas, which viewed the appointment of a new prime minister by President Mahmoud Abbas as a betrayal. Meanwhile, the U.S. is looking to leverage a long-term political resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a means to encourage Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.



U.S., U.K. urge Hamas to accept Israeli truce proposal

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hoping for more than just a deal between Hamas and Israel Eager to restart stalled ceasefire talks. He says Hamas should accept a new Israeli proposal Hamas has before it a proposal that is Extraordinarily extraordinarily generous On the part of Israel and in this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas They have to decide and they have to decide quickly Hamas dismisses accusations It's delaying a ceasefire deal the group that controls Gaza blames the Israeli prime minister for putting his own political survival ahead of a lasting agreement and Mediators Qatar and Egypt are continuing to explore chances for a new one, but are becoming increasingly frustrated Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Says the biggest obstacle to lasting peace is the failure of the international community to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict a Lot of efforts must be exerted to sort out the military escalation for the sake of all countries in our region We need to bring peace to the Middle East the international community has failed to find a solution to the Palestinian cause Thus we now see the bloodshed everywhere and every day in the Gaza Strip US officials have been trying to build consensus for a post-war Gaza They initially said they want to see a new Palestinian Authority take over and when President Mahmoud Abbas appointed a new prime minister Hamas rejected the move as a betrayal and there's another reason why the US wants a deal soon The Americans believe a long-term political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict Could encourage Saudi Arabia and many Arab nations to establish diplomatic ties with Israel Hashem Al-Bara Al-Jazeera

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Canberra

Opposition wants fewer migrants to ease housing crisis

Former Bulldogs and Tigers Brandon Wakeham has been charged over allegedly supplying large quantities of MDMA and cocaine. The 25-year-old, along with two co-accused arrested by Police and charged with commercial supply of illicit drugs.

Council of the City of Sydney

Former NRL player charged over alleged drug supply

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has been undergoing surgery after being shot in a suspected assassination attempt, as he greeted supporters after a meeting. Five shots were fired at close range, while security scrambled to confront the shooter. The government says the attack, which has left the prime minister in a critical but stable condition, was politically motivated.

Bratislava

Slovakia PM's 'life in danger' after assassination attempt

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Beijing

Putin arrives in China, to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Concerns U.S. aid for Ukraine arriving too late as Russia advances

Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders said a deal had been reached to form what was set to be the most right-wing government in the Netherlands in decades, almost six months after a major election victory.

Amsterdam

Netherlands set for most right-wing government in years

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British Columbia

Climate Crisis

Wildfires in western Canada spur large evacuations

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Melbourne

Pro-Palestine protesters refuse to leave uni campus

A Sydney council has voted to overturn a controversial same-sex parenting book ban that prompted national outrage. Riot police were called after rival protests gathered outside the council chambers.

Cumberland City Council

Council votes to reverse same-sex parenting book ban

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Paris

French police search for 'The Fly' after deadly prison van escape

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Handlová

Slovakian leader critical after assasination attempt

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Cannes

Cannes kicks off with a Palme d'Or for Meryl Streep

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Kharkiv

Ukraine pulls back from two areas of Kharkiv

French police and authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt for an escaped prisoner, after an armed gang ambushed his prison van, killing two officers. Video footage has emerged of the deadly attack which took place in Normandy, France on Tuesday morning in public.

Normandy

Manhunt underway after prison van attack in France

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Federal budget promises an inflation fix 'by Christmas'

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Blinken says Putin must pay for damage in Ukraine

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New York

Star witness Michael Cohen grilled by defence at Trump trial

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Baltimore

Report: Ship lost power twice before ramming Baltimore bridge

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Incarville

Manhunt underway after prisoner van ambushed

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Tbilisi

Georgian Parliament adopts controversial law despite protests

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Washington

Biden sharply hikes U.S. tariffs on China chips, cars

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Federal Budget tackles cost-of-living crisis

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NSW announces tougher bail laws for domestic offenders

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

Protests, fighting in Gaza mark Israel's Memorial Day

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Jerusalem

UN urges reopening of aid lines as exodus from Rafah continues

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Tanna

Air Vanuatu collapse leaves teenage volunteers stranded

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Thousands of people been evacuated from border areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, as Russia kept up constant strikes on a key town as part of a cross-border offensive, officials said. The surprise Russian attack across Ukraine's northeastern border began on Friday, with Moscow's troops making small advances in an area from where they had been pushed back nearly two years ago.

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Israel-Gaza War