Good morning. A senior Hamas official has said Hamas accepts a UN security council ceasefire resolution that would lead to the release of the remaining hostages taken in the 7 October attack on Israel. The resolution, adopted on Monday, is the first time the security council has endorsed a comprehensive peace deal to end the Gaza war.
Only Russia abstained in the vote. The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, on his eighth visit to the region since 7 October, said the statement of support from Sami Abu Zuhri for a UN resolution backing the proposal was a “hopeful sign”, but that it was the word of the Palestinian militant group’s leadership in Gaza that would really count. What does the deal entail? The three-stage deal, proposed by Joe Biden, involves the release of all the remaining hostages, in return for Israel accepting steps towards a permanent ceasefire and the eventual withdrawal of its forces from Gaza – two key Hamas demands.
A third phase would involve a major reconstruction effort. What does Israel think of the deal? Far-right Israeli cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich – on whom Benjamin Netanyahu is now reliant after the resignations of more moderate ministers at the weekend – said he would oppose any deal , calling it “collective suicide”. Trump will not be charged for waving around classified papers, judge says View image in fullscreen Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
Photograph: Wilfredo.
