POLITICS

Are we going to witness a final end to the Israel-Hamas war?

The new U.S. proposal to Hamas includes the release of all 48 remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and the end of the Israeli operation to occupy Gaza City, according to a senior Israeli official familiar with the details.

In addition, Israel will release 2500-3000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in its prisons, including hundreds serving life sentences for killing Israelis.

“As per the proposal, once the ceasefire is declared, negotiations would immediately begin on the conditions for ending the war including Israel's demands for Hamas' disarmament and Hamas' demand for a final and complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli official said.

The proposal emphasised that if Hamas responds positively to the initiative, Trump would actively work to end the war, and the ceasefire would continue as long as negotiations on the terms for the war's end are in progress.

The Israeli official said the proposal to Hamas included a message that if the organisation does not accept the initiative, the alternative would be very bad: A large-scale Israeli operation in Gaza.

Jaiashankar & not PM Modi to address UNGA session on Sept 27

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not address the General Debate at the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month, according to a revised provisional list of speakers issued in New York. The 80th session of the UN General Assembly will open on September 9. The high-level General Debate will run from September 23-29, with Brazil as the traditional first speaker of the session, followed by the US.  President Donald Trump will address the UNGA podium on September 23. EAM Dr S Jaishankar will address the session on Sept 27.