Hamas Archives - WPTF-AM

Israel strikes Gaza in the first major ceasefire test, saying Hamas attacked troops

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has struck targets in the southern Gaza Strip after it said its troops came under fire from Hamas militants, in the first major test of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire meant to halt more than two years of war. Members of the Palestinian group used an RPG and Israel responded with airstrikes and artillery on Sunday, the military said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with Israel’s security heads and directed the military to take “strong action” against any ceasefire violations, but did not threaten to return to war. Hamas said that it was not connected to any clashes in Rafah in southern Gaza.… Continue Reading

Hamas reaffirms commitment to ceasefire as delays in returning hostages’ bodies fray nerves

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas has moved to shore up its brittle ceasefire agreement with Israel by reaffirming its commitment to the terms of the deal that includes a pledge to hand over the remains of all dead Israeli hostages. The militant group’s statement, released in the early hours Friday, follows a dire warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that he would green-light Israel to resume the war if Hamas doesn’t live up to its end of the deal. The militant group has also defended the killings in Gaza of alleged gang members who one official accused of causing death and destruction. Meanwhile, the U.N. says a large infusion of aid into Gaza is still being held up.… Continue Reading

Israel and Hamas agree to part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, will free hostages and prisoners

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first Phase” of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners. “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote Wednesday. “All Parties will be treated fairly!” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Negotiators have been meeting in Egypt for days to hash out a Trump-backed peace plan that he hopes will ultimately result in a permanent end to the two-year war.… Continue Reading

Israel and Hamas prepare for negotiations in Egypt ahead of possible ceasefire

CAIRO (AP) — Israel and Hamas are preparing for indirect negotiations in Egypt on Monday as hopes are rising for a possible ceasefire in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said a hostage release could be announced this week. Tuesday marks two years since the Hamas attack that sparked the war. President Donald Trump has pressured both Israel and Hamas to end the fighting. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the situation is closer than ever to a ceasefire. An Egyptian official says the Hamas delegation has arrived. Israel’s delegation travels Monday. Meanwhile, strikes continue in Gaza despite Trump telling Israel to stop the bombing.… Continue Reading

At least 51 Palestinians killed while waiting for aid trucks in Gaza, health officials say

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — At least 51 Palestinians were killed and over 200 wounded in the Gaza Strip while waiting for U.N. and commercial trucks to enter the territory with desperately needed food, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and a local hospital. Palestinian witnesses told The Associated Press that Israeli forces had fired on the crowds. The military said it was looking into reports that its forces had fired toward the crowd, causing several casualties. It did not appear to be related to a new Israeli- and U.S.-supported aid delivery network that rolled out last month and has been marred by controversy and violence.… Continue Reading

Hamas says it released American-Israeli hostage in goodwill gesture toward Trump administration

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas says it has released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander. An Israeli official confirmed that the transfer was underway without providing specifics. The official was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity. Hamas said it was releasing Alexander on Monday as a goodwill gesture to try to revive talks on ending the war. The release comes ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East this week.… Continue Reading

A massive explosion at an Iranian port linked to missile fuel shipment kills 18, injures some 800

MUSCAT, Oman (AP) — A massive explosion and fire has rocked a port in southern Iran purportedly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant. State media said the blast killed 18 people and injuring around 800 others. Helicopters and aircraft dumped water from the air on the raging fire through the night into Sunday morning at the Shahid Rajaei port. The explosion occurred just as Iran and the United States met Saturday in Oman for the third round of negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.… Continue Reading

Trump wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinian refugees and floats plan to ‘clean out’ Gaza

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump says he would like to see Arab nations increase the number of Palestinian refugees they are accepting from the Gaza Strip, potentially moving out enough of the population to “clean out” the area to create a virtual clean slate. He told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday that he has discussed his vision on a call with King Abdullah II of Jordan and would speak Sunday with Egypt’s president. Trump also says he has ended his predecessor’s hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. That lifts a pressure point meant to reduce civilian casualties during Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza that is now halted by a tenuous ceasefire.… Continue Reading

Vigils, protests around the world commemorate the anniversary of Hamas attack on Israel

NEW YORK (AP) — Commemorations and protests are being held across the world to mark a year since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Many world leaders are calling for an end to antisemitism and the release of Israeli hostages. Pro-Palestinian protesters are decrying the toll of death and destruction in Gaza from Israel’s military response last year’s cross-border attack. It killed about 1,200 people and left the world facing the prospect of another major conflict in the Middle East. Those divisions were visible in New York, where a crowd gathered for an evening remembrance ceremony in Central Park even as a blocks-long column of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through midtown Manhattan.… Continue Reading

Israelis, scarred and battling on multiple fronts, mark a year since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israelis are holding vigils and somber ceremonies to mark a year since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, the deadliest in the country’s history which sparked the war in Gaza and scarred Israelis indelibly. The surprise attack, which caught Israel unprepared on a major Jewish holiday, shattered Israelis’ sense of security and shook their faith in their leaders and their military. Its aftershocks still ripple one year later. In Gaza, which is still buckling under the weight of the ongoing war, no formal commemorative event was planned. Israelis are expected to flock to ceremonies and cemeteries around the country on Monday.… Continue Reading