Israel-Hamas war latest: International calls for cease-fire grow after assassinations in the Mideast

US President Joe Biden says he is “very concerned” that violence in the Middle East could escalate, adding that the assassination of a senior Hamas leader in Iran “has not helped” efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in War between Israel and Hamas.

Biden said he had a “very direct” conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. “We have the basis for a ceasefire. “He should move on and they should move on now.”

Netanyahu has said his country was determined to win nothing less than “total victory” against Hamas. He also said Israel hoped for a ceasefire soon and was working toward it.

The murders of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. in Tehran on Wednesday and Hezbollah’s top commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut on Tuesday risks escalating fighting into an all-out regional war, and Iran also threatened to respond after the attack on its territory. Israel has vowed to kill Hamas leaders over the group’s decision. October 7 attack on Israel that unleashed the war.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was one of a growing number of international voices calling for a ceasefire in recent days, saying it was the only way to begin to break the cycle of violence and suffering. .

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Here’s the latest:

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Cyprus’ foreign minister says authorities are in contact with the diplomatic missions of nations that may choose to evacuate their citizens through the eastern Mediterranean island nation if the war between Israel and Hamas escalates. expands to encompass neighboring countries.

Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Friday that the agencies have been mobilized as part of the country’s long-standing evacuation action plan called ESTIA. He said there is a “serious danger” that the conflict will expand further, affecting the entire region.

Kombos said Cyprus’ role is to “operate as a security bridge” in the region in case of mass evacuations of citizens from third countries in the Middle East.

In 2023, Cyprus acted as a way station for third countries. evacuees from Sudan and Israel after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. The island nation also assisted in the evacuation of tens of thousands of third-country citizens during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

MELBOURNE, Australia — An Australian investigation found that the Israeli military Attack on aid convoy in Gaza that killed seven people was due to serious flaws in defense procedures, misidentification and poor decisions.

Australian Zomi Frankcom was among those killed in the April 1 Israeli drone strike. Strikes in three World Central Kitchen vehicles. The report released Friday said the convoy’s armed security guards were likely mistaken for Hamas operatives. Two Israeli officers were fired and three reprimanded, but Frankcom’s family says more must be done.

Former Australian Defense Force chief Mark Binskin was appointed Australia’s special adviser on the matter. He says Israel should apologize to the families.

A representative for the family issued a statement Friday hailing Binskin’s report as an “important first step.”

“We hope that this will be followed by further investigations in Israel into those responsible for this tragic event, followed by appropriate measures,” the family statement said.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is appealing to his countrymen to observe a day of mourning and hold special absentee funeral prayers for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

These types of prayers are performed when the body of any person comes from the country.

Sharif, in his televised remarks on Friday, said he will also attend a special funeral for Haniyeh at a mosque in his sprawling office in the capital, Islamabad.

He denounced the assassination of the Hamas leader in his brief remarks shortly before Pakistan’s parliament passed a resolution to express solidarity with the Palestinian people. The resolution also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and denounced the assassination of the Hamas leader.

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. – President Joe Biden said Thursday night that he is “very concerned” that violence in the Middle East could escalate, adding that the assassination of a top Hamas leader in Iran “has not helped.” to efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. in Israel’s war with Gaza.

Biden said he had a “very direct” conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day, repeating “very direct” for emphasis.

And he added: “We have the basis for a ceasefire. “He should move on and they should move on now.”

Biden spoke on the tarmac of an air base outside Washington after welcoming the United States. Three Americans who were freed in a prisoner exchange. earlier in the day.