Press TV – February 11, 2025
Hamas strongly rejects Trump ultimatum, says ceasefire only way to return Israeli captives
Hamas has denounced US president’s call for cancellation of the Gaza ceasefire unless the Palestinian resistance movement frees all remaining Israeli captives in a matter of days, saying Donald Trump must remember that the only way for the return of Israeli captives is to respect the deal.
“Trump should know that in order for the ceasefire in Gaza to last, both sides must comply with their obligations. This is the only way to bring back the [Israeli] captives,” Sami Abu Zuhri, a high-ranking member of the Hamas political bureau, said.
He added, “The language of threats has no value and only complicates matters.”
Trump said on Monday he would propose cancelling the ceasefire in Gaza and “let hell break out” if all Israeli captives held by Hamas were not released by midday Saturday.
“As far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 o'clock, I think it's an appropriate time. I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out. I'd say they ought to be returned by 12 o'clock on Saturday,” he said.
The US president said he wanted the captives released en masse, instead of a few at a time. “We want 'em all back.”
On Monday evening, Hamas said it will delay the release of more Israeli captives planned for Saturday “until further notice,” due to the Tel Aviv regime’s violations of the ceasefire in Gaza.
The captives will “remain in place until the occupying entity complies with past obligations and compensates retroactively,” Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, said in a statement.
“Over the past three weeks, the resistance leadership monitored the enemy’s violations and their non-compliance with the terms of the agreement,” he said.
“These violations include delaying the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire in various areas of the Gaza Strip, and failing to allow the entry of relief materials in all forms as agreed upon. Meanwhile, the resistance has fulfilled all its obligations.”
The Qassam Brigades spokesperson reaffirmed the group’s “commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation adheres to them.”
In response to Hamas’s announcement, Israeli war minister Israel Katz said he has instructed the military to “prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza.”
Palestinians slam Trump’s Gaza scheme as ‘declaration of war’
Palestinians have denounced as a “declaration of war” US President Donald Trump's scheme to take over the besieged Gaza Strip and relocate its residents.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the follow-up committee of the National and Islamic Forces, an umbrella for most Palestinian groups, said the plot serves as “a new declaration of war to uproot our people.”
“Trump's recent statements reflect the true face of the American-Zionist partnership in the aggression on our people.”
The Palestinian groups also demanded strong action from Arab leaders and the international community.
They called on the upcoming Arab summit on February 27 to “take practical and direct steps, and play a vital and effective role against (Trump's) criminal plans.”
“The steadfastness of the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank and inside Israel requires direct political and material support to strengthen their resistance and establish them on their land.”
Trump said on Sunday he was “committed to buying and owning Gaza.”
Hamas has also dismissed Trump’s threats.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties for the prisoners to be released. Zuhri was referring to the ceasefire and prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel.
“Trump must remember that there is an agreement that both parties must respect, and this is the only way to bring back the prisoners. The language of threats has no value and only complicates matters.”
Earlier Trump said “all hell” would break loose if all the Israeli captives were not released by noon on February 15.
Hamas says the release of Israeli captives has been postponed due to the regime’s violations of the ceasefire.
The resistance group said it intentionally made the announcement five days before the scheduled handover of captives on February 15 to give mediators ample time to pressure the regime.
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/02/11/742628/Trump-Gaza-declaration-of-war
Palestinian Information Center – February 11, 2025
Al-Bursh: 118 martyrs in Gaza since the ceasefire was declared
Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, the Director General of the Ministry of Health, has said that 118 Palestinians were martyred and 822 others were wounded by Israeli gunfire since the start of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on 19/1/2025.
He explained in a statement on Tuesday that 92 citizens were killed in direct Israeli shooting while two others were killed in the explosion of Israeli army ordnance. He added that 24 citizens succumbed to serious injuries inflicted by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF).
Al-Bursh, meanwhile, pointed out that the bodies of 641 martyrs were retrieved from under the rubble of destroyed buildings in the same period, 197 of whom are still unidentified.
For his part, Ismail Thawabta, the Director of the Government Media Office, said that the IOF committed 265 violations of the ceasefire in the same period.
The violations include incursions, shooting at citizens, demolishing houses, and non-compliance with the humanitarian protocol, he elaborated.
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2025/02/11/333818/
Palestinian Information Center – February 11, 2025
UNRWA: Israel displaced 40,000 Palestinians in West Bank
UNRWA has said that the number of Palestinians Israel has displaced in the occupied West Bank, since the beginning of its large-scale military operation, has reached 40,000 refugees.
“The forced displacement of Palestinian communities in the northern West Bank is escalating at an alarming pace,” UNRWA warned in a statement on Monday.
“Since the start of operation ‘Iron Wall’ by the Israeli forces on 21 January, several refugee camps have been nearly emptied of their residents. The operation, ongoing for nearly three weeks, is now the single longest in the West Bank since the second intifada,” UNRWA explained.
“Starting in Jenin camp, the operation has expanded to Tulkarem, Nur Shams, and El Fari’ah refugee camps and led to the displacement of 40,000 Palestine refugees,” said.
“Jenin camp stands empty today, evoking memories of the second intifada. This scene stands to be repeated in other camps,” UNRWA added.
“Forced displacement in the occupied West Bank is the result of an increasingly dangerous and coercive environment,” the UNRWA statement said. “The use of air strikes, armored bulldozers, controlled detonations, and advanced weaponry by the Israeli Forces has become commonplace — a spillover of the war in Gaza.”
The UN agency also said that the Palestinian Authority’s security operation in Jenin refugee camp, which started before the current Israeli offensive, “further exacerbated displacement from Jenin camp.”
On Sunday, Israel expanded its offensive to Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem, displacing dozens of families from their homes. Israeli soldiers started their raid with opening fire at a Palestinian car leaving the Nur Shams refugee camp, killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child, while seriously wounding her husband who was driving.
Since its current large-scale military operation started, the Israeli occupation army has been escalating its offensive, killing and kidnaping Palestinian civilians and wreaking wide-ranging destruction on civilian infrastructure, especially in the northern West Bank refugee camps.
Last week, Israeli forces detonated at least 20 apartment buildings in Jenin refugee camp, one of the largest single demolitions in the West Bank in years. Local residents and media sources compared the effect of the destruction to the “fire belt” strategy that Israel had pursued in Gaza — involving concentrated and repetitive bombardment of small areas that destroy entire residential blocks.
The Israeli army also expanded its military aggression to the northern Jordan Valley, closing off the town of Tamun and forcibly displacing its residents.
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2025/02/11/333788/
Hezbollah: 79 countries to attend funeral of Nasrallah, Safieddine
Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah says delegations from 79 countries will attend the commemoration ceremony for the late leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Executive Council chief Sayyid Hashim Safieddine.
Sheikh Ali Daher, the coordinator of the High Committee for the funeral of Nasrallah and Safieddine, told a press conference on Tuesday that the ceremony, scheduled for February 23, will be “a day of commemoration for the leader of the oppressed against the arrogant, and the martyr of humanity against imperialism.”
“February 23 will mark a new chapter in the history of blood triumphing over swords,” he said.
“The funeral will remain a day inspiring free people around the world for many decades to come.”
Daher said the program will last about an hour and includes a speech by Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem. He said the main gathering will be inside Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium.
Nasrallah was assassinated in Israel’s bombardment of southern Beirut on September 27, 2024. Using 85 tons of explosives, Israeli jets leveled six residential buildings in Dahiyeh, following a week-long bombing campaign that hit many areas from southern Lebanon to Beirut.
Safieddine was assassinated in an Israeli attack in October 2024.
Hezbollah postponed funeral ceremonies for both leaders due to fears of Israeli attacks on the ceremony.
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/02/11/742627/Hezbollah-funeral-Nasrallah-Safieddine
Al Mayadeen – February 11, 2025
Trump: Ukraine 'may be Russian someday'
US President Donald Trump confirms he will soon dispatch his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to Ukraine to develop a proposal aimed at ending the war.
Ukraine "may be Russian someday," US President Donald Trump suggested, as Vice President JD Vance prepares to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later this week.
During an interview for Fox News that aired Monday, Trump, who has been advocating for an end to the nearly three-year war with Russia, commented on the conflict, saying, "They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday."
Trump also emphasized the need for the US to see a return on its financial aid to Ukraine, proposing a trade for Kiev's natural resources, including rare minerals.
"We are going to have all this money in there, and I say I want it back. And I told them that I want the equivalent, like $500 billion worth of rare earth," Trump said. "And they have essentially agreed to do that, so at least we don't feel stupid."
Additionally, Trump confirmed Monday that he will soon dispatch his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to Ukraine to develop a proposal aimed at ending the conflict.
Significant part of Ukraine wants to become Russia: Peskov
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated on Tuesday that a significant part of Ukraine wants to become Russia, and this is a fact that history has already confirmed.
"It is a fact that a significant part of Ukraine wants to become Russia, and that it has already become Russia. This is a fact that happened on earth, four new Russian regions. People who, despite the many dangers, stood in queues and voted in the referendum for joining the Russian Federation — this largely corresponds to the words of President Trump," Peskov said.
"You know, any phenomenon occurs with a probability of 50% — either yes or no. I cannot say anything else," he added.
Additionally, the Russian diplomat said the fact that Trump quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin's words can hardly be regarded as a signal of a rapprochement between the positions of Russia and the US.
Late on Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social a link to a CNBC broadcaster article with Putin's statement that the US President would quickly restore order in relations with the European elites, who would "stand at the feet of the master and will wag their tails a little."
"I do not think [that this means a signal of the Russia-US rapprochement]," Peskov told reporters.
While Trump is pushing for a swift resolution, Zelensky is seeking firm security guarantees from Washington as part of any agreement with Moscow.
Kiev fears that a settlement lacking solid military commitments—such as NATO membership or the deployment of peacekeeping forces—would merely give Moscow time to regroup and rearm for another offensive.
Zelensky’s spokesperson, Sergiy Nikiforov, told AFP that the Ukrainian President will meet with Vance this Friday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
A source in Zelensky’s office stated that Kellogg is expected to arrive in Ukraine on February 20, though details on his itinerary remain undisclosed. His visit will take place just days before the third anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24.
On Monday, Zelensky reiterated the need for "real peace and effective security guarantees" for Ukraine, emphasizing the security of the Ukrainian people, the state, and economic relations, as well as the country's long-term resource sustainability.
"All of this is being decided now," Zelensky said in a video address on social media.
Trump has expressed his intention to mediate an end to the war but has yet to present a concrete plan for negotiations.
Both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin have ruled out direct talks, and there remains little common ground for a potential agreement.
Putin insists that Ukraine withdraw from areas in the south and east that it still controls and has categorically rejected any Ukrainian integration with NATO.
Zelensky, on the other hand, refuses to concede any territory to Russia, though he acknowledges that diplomatic channels may be necessary to regain some areas.
Moscow recognized five previously Ukrainian regions—Crimea in 2014, followed by Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, and Zaporizhzhia in 2022—though it does not have full control over them.
On Monday, Zelensky confirmed that arrangements are being made for a meeting with Trump, though a date has yet to be set. Trump, meanwhile, stated last week that he would "probably" meet with Zelensky soon but ruled out personally visiting Kiev.
According to The New York Post, Trump told the outlet on Saturday that he had spoken with Putin about ending the war, quoting the Russian leader as saying he "wants to see people stop dying."
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm or deny that such a conversation took place.
Organizers of the Munich Security Conference announced Monday that Zelensky will attend the February 14-16 summit.
The US delegation is expected to include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with Kellogg and Vance, according to conference chair Christoph Heusgen. No Russian government representatives will be present, Heusgen added.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ukraine--may-be-russian-someday---trump-says
Al Mayadeen – February 11, 2025
85-year-old captive killed on Oct 7, not in Hamas captivity, IOF admit
Mansour, a founding member of Kibbutz Kissufim, was among the 33 captives set to be released in the initial phase of the ongoing ceasefire deal.
Israeli authorities announced on Tuesday that Shlomo Mansour, believed to be the oldest captive still held by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza, was killed on October 7, 2023, and not while being held captive by Hamas.
Kibbutz Kissufim stated Tuesday morning that Mansour, 85, had been killed but did not provide details on the circumstances surrounding his death. The Israeli military later confirmed that it had notified his family of his death during the October 7 events.
According to the military, Mansour was killed in Kibbutz Kissufim, and his body was taken by Palestinian fighters to Gaza, where it remains. His death was officially declared by a panel of health experts and members of the rabbinate, based on intelligence that Israeli authorities say was gathered in recent months.
The families of the Israeli captives in Gaza had confirmed that Mansour should have returned long ago for burial, but Netanyahu is busy obstructing the deal.
Mansour, a founding member of Kibbutz Kissufim, was among the 33 captives set to be released in the initial phase of the ongoing ceasefire deal. Hamas has stated that eight of the 33 are no longer alive but has not disclosed their identities. On March 1, the 42nd day of the ceasefire’s first stage, Hamas is expected to return the bodies of the eight deceased captives.
Following Tuesday’s announcement, "Israel" has now confirmed the deaths of 36 out of the 76 captives still held in Gaza.
Kibbutz Kissufim urged the Israeli government and world leaders to "continue acting with determination to bring back" all captives, both living and dead.
In a related context, a small group of protesters blocked the Route 1 Tel Aviv-al-Quds highway on Tuesday morning, urging the Israeli government to safeguard the captive release deal. Some demonstrators held a large banner reading, "Abandoning the hostages is a war crime," while others set off smoke bombs and chanted slogans.
Meanwhile, tensions surrounding the fragile ceasefire agreement reached last month between Hamas and "Israel" escalated on Tuesday, a day after the Palestinian group threatened to delay the release of Israeli captives scheduled for Saturday, accusing "Israel" of violating the deal.
In response, US President Donald Trump warned on Monday that "all hell" would break loose if all Israeli captives were not released from Gaza within the coming days—a threat that Hamas said "further complicates matters."
Iran, Russia usher in ‘new era’ of strategic ties, launch ‘mega projects’: Envoy
Iran's ambassador to Russia says the strategic relations between Tehran and Moscow have entered a "new phase" leading both countries to work on multiple mega infrastructure projects.
Kazem Jalali made the remarks on Monday during a ceremony marking the 46th anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Moscow's Lotte hotel.
He expressed satisfaction with developing cooperation between Iran and Russia in different sectors, saying both countries' leaders have a serious will to strengthen bilateral ties.
Jalali also referred to a recent visit by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Moscow, where he signed an agreement on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Iran and Russia.
"Tehran-Moscow relations have entered a new phase of strategic, comprehensive, and long-term cooperation in various cultural, political, defense, economic, commercial, monetary, banking, transportation, energy, agriculture, environmental, scientific, technological, medical, pharmaceutical, and academic fields," he said.
"Within this framework, numerous mega and, of course, infrastructure projects are being defined and implemented."
Meanwhile, the Iranian ambassador described the 20-year "historic document" signed by Tehran and Moscow as a "turning point" in relations, noting that it will be a roadmap for strengthening ties in the medium and long term.
The Islamic Republic and the Russian Federation are aware of opportunities to further expand their trade, he said, hoping that the implementation of the documents inked in 2024 will boost economic relations in short run.
Close ties between Iran and Russia herald multilateralism on the path towards justice, peace, and security, while the hegemonic system, led by the United States, has put unilateralism at the forefront of its policies, he added.
'Multipolar world order'
He said current developments clearly show that the global system has been undergoing a structural transition from a unipolar order to a multipolar one, with emerging powers shaping the new world order.
Kazemi further emphasized that Iran has adopted a balanced strategy in its foreign policy, saying the country has an unwavering commitment to the security of all countries in the region and considers foreign interference to be the main source of regional tensions.
Cooperation with independent world powers such as Russia, China and India, as well as interaction with organizations like the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the group of Developing Eight (D-8) countries, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the BRICS group of emerging economies, as well as the Eurasian Economic Union, mark a major step towards securing national interests and security, expanding economic diplomacy, and subsequently redefining Iran's position in a mulitipolar and just world order, he pointed out.
Iran and Russia, both subject to illegal Western sanctions, have over the past years deepened their cooperation in a range of areas.
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/02/11/742595/Iran-Russia-mega-projects-new-phase
Middle East Eye – February 10, 2025
Egypt to host emergency Arab summit on Palestinian displacement
The meeting comes after Trump's Gaza 'take over' comments last week sparked fury in the region
By Mera Aladam
Egyptﾠhas announced an emergency Arab summit to be held on 27 February in response to US President Donald Trump's recent call to expel Palestiniansﾠfrom Gaza.
Trump said he plans to take over the Gaza Strip, transfer its Palestinian population to other countries, and rebuild the territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
The US leader further questioned why Palestinians would ever want to return there when asked whether they would be allowed to return.
Speaking at a White House press conference last Tuesday, with visiting IsraeliﾠPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looking on, Trump said that Egypt and Jordan would “give us the kind of land that we need to get this done”.
On Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that it has communicated with several Arab countries in light of the "escalating developments in the Palestinian issue".
"Over the past few days, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made a series of phone calls with several Arab counterparts to mass regional efforts in a bid to thwart the US proposal of displacing the Palestinian people," the ministry said.
Trump's announcement last week sparked confused and angry reactions across the globe, with Hamas rejecting his surprise plans on Gaza, saying it was aimed at eliminating the Palestinian cause.
Egypt and Jordanﾠhave rejected the plan outright, with their leaders, foreign ministers, and several senior officials expressing their opposition.
Arab diplomats stressed to Haaretz the gravity of the US president's remarks on Cairo and Amman, noting that they are taking them "very seriously".
Middle East Eye learned in early February that Jordan is ready to declare war on Israel in the event that Netanyahu attempts to forcibly expel Palestinians into its territory.
Well-placed sources in Amman and Jerusalem told MEE that the last thing Jordan wants is war and it is eager for a peaceful solution. But they are adamant that the Jordanians will close the border if refugees begin to cross into the country.
One source told MEE that Trump's proposal was an "existential issue" both for Jordan and the Hashemite dynasty, pointing out that the country is the third-poorest in terms of water in the world.
Meanwhile, MEE has also revealed that Trump's explosive comments earlier this month had sent shockwaves across Egyptian diplomatic and intelligence circles,
Two diplomatic sources - one Egyptian and one Arab - revealed that Arab countries, led by Egypt, are scrambling to offer alternatives to Trump’s displacement plan.
Among the proposals discussed is a major reconstruction initiative involving US companies in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Gaza - without displacing its residents. This plan would be funded through lucrative Arab contracts to entice Trump and divert his attention from forced relocation.
'This is not possible'
Former Egyptian ambassador to the UN, Mootaz Ahmadein, said Trump's words “should be taken very seriously”.
“Cairo must respond with a simple yet powerful phrase that could unsettle him: ‘No, this is not possible,’” Ahmadein told MEE.
Ahmadein further suggested that Egypt should coordinate with other nations that have been affected by Trump’s controversial policies - such as Canada, Panama, Greenland (Denmark), Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and the European Union - and seek their support in opposing him.
A senior Palestinian official speaking to Haaretz said that while a unified stance against the forcible expulsion of Palestinians is crucial, there needs to be a clear outline on who will "manage and reconstruct" the beseiged enclave.
"Will Hamas control Gaza, and if not, will the Palestinian Authority? How can this be implemented, how to move forward in the reconstruction process and also in the political process, if at all? These questions still have no answer," the diplomat expressed.
The Geneva Conventions, which both the US and Israel have ratified, prohibit the forcible relocation of populations.
Netanyahu is already wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for war crimes and crimes against humanity. More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 15 months since he declared war on Gaza.
According to the UN agency, OCHA, almost all of the homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.
Despite these losses, Palestinians in Gaza have strongly rejected any resettlement plan, stating their determination not to allow Israel to successfully execute another Nakba.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-set-host-emergency-arab-summit-palestinian-displacement
