Hamas said late Monday that it had agreed to ceasefire proposal from mediators. Israel said the terms did not meet its demands and launched a military operation in Rafah.
Framework outlines that Hamas should release 40 of hostages — women, sick & elderly — during first 6-week pause in fighting. In return, Israel to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
India is anticipating a demand from Israel for 15,000 more workers. Maharashtra & Telangana have shown interest in organising professional test drives in their respective states.
Blinken said he agreed with Arab foreign minister in Cairo to gather experts in coming days to identify urgent, practical & concrete steps needed to increase flow of assistance.’
The World Bank has called for “immediate, free, and unimpeded access of medical supplies, food and life-essential services through all available means at speed and scale to the people of Gaza.”
Israel Defence Forces says operation a response to concrete intelligence requiring immediate action, emphasising that objective is to combat Hamas militants.
Scholar Khinvraj Jangid writes that Ajil Doval’s visit to Israel signals Modi govt's concerns about Israel's actions in Gaza and should be seen as a 'warning call'.
Hamas said initial release of Israelis would include women, children, elderly, and ill hostages in exchange for release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, according to proposal.
Starbucks franchise operator in West Asia, North Africa confirmed layoffs as result of dip in sales affected by war in Gaza. McDonald’s & Unilever also saw sales decline in West, Southeast Asia.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘doesn’t want to reach an agreement and the ball now is in the Americans’ court.’
A theme has not yet emerged for BJP & people see lack of a contest, which makes it unexciting. For all these reasons, 2024 is turning out to be an unexpectedly theme-less election.
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