Israel Report: Hamas ready to hand over power in Gaza
According to a media report, Hamas is ready to hand over power to another Palestinian authority in the Gaza Strip.
22.04.2025, 05:00
22.04.2025, 05:01
SDA
The Islamist organization has signaled its willingness to hand over the government in the coastal strip to a Palestinian authority such as the Palestinian Authority ruling the West Bank or a new organization to be created, the BBC quoted a senior Palestinian official as saying. An agreement on the future government must first be reached at national and regional level.
Hamas has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already ruled out a role for the Palestinian Authority in a future government in Gaza.
Mediators submit new proposal for ceasefire
Meanwhile, the mediators in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a new ceasefire and the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip presented a new proposal. The draft drawn up by Egypt and Qatar envisages a five to seven-year ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the BBC reported, citing the Palestinian official involved in the negotiations.
Hamas had recently rejected an Israeli proposal for a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of ten hostages because it did not provide for an end to the war. The last ceasefire phase ended a month ago after Israel and Hamas were unable to agree on the modalities for the next phase. The Israeli armed forces then resumed their massive attacks in the Gaza Strip.
Warning to Israelis abroad about "Day of Rage"
In view of a "day of rage" planned for today, the National Security Council has called on Israelis abroad to exercise caution. Hamas had called for solidarity rallies with the Palestinians worldwide. "These protests and demonstrations may escalate into violence directed against Israelis," the Security Council warning stated. "There is also concern that supporters of terrorist groups or individuals may attempt to use the protests as an opportunity to carry out attacks." The National Security Council advised Israelis abroad to avoid demonstrations, not to display Israeli symbols in public and to follow the instructions of local security forces.
Israel's intelligence chief raises accusations against Netanyahu
In the conflict with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which has been going on for weeks, Israeli domestic intelligence chief Ronen Bar made serious accusations against the head of government. Netanyahu had demanded personal loyalty from him, the newspaper "The Times of Israel" quoted from an affidavit that the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service had submitted to the court. The Prime Minister had demanded that Bar obey him and not the Supreme Court in the event of a constitutional crisis.
He also rejected Netanyahu's accusation that he had already known about the impending attack shortly before the massacre by the Islamist Hamas on October 7, 2023 and had failed to warn the Prime Minister in time. Bar's affidavit was full of lies, Netanyahu wrote on the X news platform. The Shin Bet chief was dismissed a month ago. However, the Supreme Court later ruled that he must remain in office.
Palestinians: Israeli soldiers fire tear gas - man dead
According to Palestinian reports, a man died as a result of an Israeli tear gas operation in the north of the West Bank. The 48-year-old suffocated after inhaling tear gas used by Israeli soldiers, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah.
According to his family, Israeli settlers had previously set fire to the man's yard. The Palestinian then came to put out the fire. According to his family, soldiers then used tear gas against the man.
The information could not initially be independently verified. Israel's army said on request that Palestinians had thrown stones during the riots. Israeli settlers had set fire to several buildings, tires and trees in the area of the Palestinian village. One Palestinian had been arrested. The Israeli military did not mention the use of tear gas. The army also did not initially provide any information about possible casualties.
