Skip to main content

Featured

Peace Talks Falter as New Strikes Shake Ukraine

President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives the heads of delegations participating in the UAE hosted trilateral talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine, Director of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kirill Budanov, United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Igor Kostyukov, and Jared Kushner at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi. US‑mediated negotiations aimed at easing the war in Ukraine ended abruptly without an agreement after Russia launched a series of overnight airstrikes that hit multiple Ukrainian cities and energy facilities. The renewed bombardment intensified pressure on the talks, which had been viewed as a tentative step toward de‑escalation. Diplomats from both sides described the discussions as “constructive but inconclusive,” noting that major sticking points — in...

article

Gaza Residents Return Home as Ceasefire Holds: A New Dawn in Northern Gaza

 

In a significant development, tens of thousands of Palestinians began streaming back to northern Gaza on Monday, January 27, 2025, following a breakthrough in hostage negotiations between Hamas and Israel. The ceasefire agreement, mediated by Qatari officials, has paved the way for the return of displaced residents to their homes.

The breakthrough came after Hamas agreed to release three Israeli hostages, including civilian Arbel Yehud, and Israeli forces began withdrawing from key corridors in Gaza. The first crossing point in central Gaza opened at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), allowing residents to start their journey north. Another crossing opened three hours later, permitting vehicles to pass.

Residents, some carrying infants and bundles of belongings, walked along the coastal road by the Mediterranean Sea shore. "It's like I was born again and we were victorious again," said Umm Mohammed Ali, a Palestinian mother, as she joined the miles-long throng.

The return of displaced Gazans marks a moment of hope amid the prolonged conflict. "My heart is beating, I thought I would never come back," said Osama, a 50-year-old public servant and father of five, as he arrived in Gaza City. "Whether the ceasefire succeeds or not, we will never leave Gaza City and the north again," he added.

The ceasefire agreement also includes staggered releases of hostages over six weeks, with around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners expected to be freed in exchange. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, but the recent developments have brought a surge of aid into the war-torn region.

As families reunite and rebuild their lives, the hope for lasting peace and stability in Gaza grows stronger.


---


Does this capture the essence of what you were looking for?


Comments