Hamas responds to Trump-backed 60-day ceasefire proposal

Court lets Netanyahu skip testimony next week for US trip

Benjamin Netanyahu's testimony in his criminal trial next week has been extended yet again by the Jerusalem District Court.

The Israeli leader is being tried on charges of fraud and breach of trust, and accepting a bribe in the form of media coverage. He has denied any wrongdoing.

He was due to take the stand next Monday and Wednesday but this has been cancelled due to Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the US.

He previously secured a delay due to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, while his appearance scheduled for this week was pushed back due to unspecified national security matters.

Hamas orders Gaza clan leader to surrender, accuses him of looting aid trucks

The Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza has ordered the leader of a well-armed clan accused of looting aid trucks to surrender and face trial.

A ministry statement said a court had issued a 10-day ultimatum for Yasser Abu Shabab, head of the Bedouin clan, to hand himself in, also accusing him of being backed by Israel.

His clan, which rejects Hamas's control over Gaza, has previously claimed it protects aid trucks from looting by escorting them to distribution sites.

IAEA says it's waiting to hear from Iran on suspension

The UN's nuclear watchdog says it's waiting for an official communication from Iran on what the decision to suspend cooperation with the body means.

State media in Iran reported that the new law was being put into effect by Masoud Pezeshkian this morning (see 10.39 post).

Israel's foreign minister called the announcement "scandalous" and urged E3 countries (Germany, France and the UK) to reinstate sanctions packages on Tehran in response.

World 'too willing' to move beyond cause of war, former US ambassador says

A former US ambassador to Israel has told Sky News the world must not forget who started the war in Gaza.

Jack Lew was asked what he made of Israel's actions in the enclave since he left his role in January, including the 11-week blockade that stopped all deliveries of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies entering Gaza.

"I don't think starving people is the goal of Israel's policy," he told presenter Wilfred Frost. "I think denying Hamas access to control and resources is."

Lew said the amount of food getting into Gaza was a "drop in the bucket" of what is needed but insisted there were "two sides to this".

"Hamas is responsible for some of the violence as well as creating the conditions that have led to this," he said.

"I think the world has been too willing to move beyond the cause of the war and the ongoing belligerence of Hamas."

Lew added that it was in Israel's interests to find a way to feed people in Gaza and to ensure civilians are protected when military operations take place there.

Iran enacts law suspending cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog

Iran's president has put into effect a law to suspend cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog, state media reports.

The law was passed by parliament last month to cut ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Tehran has accused it of siding with Western countries and providing a justification for Israel's air strikes on its nuclear sites last month.

The new law stipulates that any future inspection of Iran's nuclear sites by the IAEA needs approval by Tehran's National Security Council. 

Israeli opposition leader tells Netanyahu he'll support ceasefire deal

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has promised to back Benjamin Netanyahu over a hostages deal in Gaza.

He says on X that he and his Yesh Atid party will act as a "safety net" in the Knesset (Israeli parliament) to counter hardline members advocating for the war in Gaza to continue.

"We need to bring them all home now," Lapid says.

Hamas 'ready' for ceasefire if it brings complete end to war

Hamas says it is open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel but stopped short of accepting Donald Trump's 60-day proposal.

The Associated Press news agency reports that Hamas official Taher al Nunu said the militant group was "ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement".

He said Hamas was "ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war".

A Hamas delegation is expected to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo today to discuss the proposal, according to an Egyptian official.

Chance to return hostages 'must not be missed', Israeli minister says

The first senior member of Benjamin Netanyahu's government has spoken this morning about the possibility of bringing Israeli hostages back from Gaza.

Without mentioning Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal announcement directly, Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar posted on X: "There is a large majority in the government and among the people for the plan to release hostages.

"If there is an opportunity to do so - it must not be missed!"

Ceasefire proposal comes as Israeli attacks intensify

Renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza will likely feel a world away for Palestinians, who have been subject to some of the heaviest Israeli attacks in the enclave in recent weeks.

On Monday, one of Gaza City's few remaining beachfront cafes was hit in a deadly airstrike. 

The cafe was crowded at the time, and at least 30 people were killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry's emergency and ambulance service in northern Gaza.

Among the dead were Frans Al-Salmi, a prominent Palestinian artist, and Ismael Abu Khatab, a well-known photojournalist.

IDF says it's captured 'Iranian terrorist cell' in Syria

The Israeli military says it has captured a "terrorist cell operated by Iran" in Syria. 

It said troops carried out a special overnight operation in southern Syria "that resulted in the capture of a number of terrorists".

"During the operation, the forces found combat equipment, including weapons and hand grenades, in the area where the terrorists were captured," IDF spokesman Avichay Ardraee said.

Trump says he'll be 'very firm' with Netanyahu at White House

Before his overnight announcement of a ceasefire proposal, Donald Trump revealed he would be welcoming Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House next week.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, the US president said he will be "very firm" with Netanyahu on the need to end the war in Gaza.

Trump said the Israeli leader "wants it too", referring to a hostage-ceasefire deal, adding that he believes "we'll have a deal next week".

He also said he and Netanyahu will discuss "the great success we had with Iran".

Michael Clarke: Will Trump achieve a Gaza ceasefire?

Is Donald Trump trying to strike while the iron is hot in the Middle East? That's what military analyst Professor Michael Clarke suggested yesterday when he predicted that a ceasefire in Gaza could be getting closer.

He said the US president's recent success in Iran might prompt him to seize this "favourable moment" and accelerate Washington's vision for peace in the Middle East.

"He has a very simplistic view," Clarke said, "but who's to say this isn't the right moment for someone with a dramatic sense of completion to come in and do something?"

-SKY NEWS