Hamas believes the latest proposals regarding a potential ceasefire in the Gaza Strip brought up by Egyptian and Qatari mediators are not serving the interests of Palestinians, RIA Novosti reported on Friday citing a source from the militant group. According to the source, while the proposed temporary ceasefire, which would last for a few days, calls for an increase in humanitarian aid trucks and a partial exchange of prisoners, it does not mention a “complete end to aggression, the withdrawal of occupation forces, or the return of refugees.” Previously, Hamas underlined that Israel’s siege of the Gaza Strip must be brought to an end.
Lebanon: Israel’s PM rejected ‘roadmap’ to ceasefire
Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Nabih Berri (pictured) said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “rejected the Lebanese roadmap” to ceasefire between the two countries, which was agreed upon with the United States envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). Berri claimed that the initiative to resolve the crisis between Israel and Lebanon was postponed until after the US presidential election. He avoided making predictions about how the US election results will affect the situation in Lebanon, stating that “this leaves matters in Lebanon dependent on developments in the field.” Berri also expressed his concern about “turning Lebanon into a second Gaza.” The Lebanese politician confirmed that Hochstein “has not communicated with us since leaving Israel.” Previously, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed optimism about Hochstein’s trip to Tel Aviv but said that Israel’s increasing attacks on Lebanon showed its reluctance