Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The White House is actively pursuing a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza but is “not there yet,” the US National Security Advisor said on Sunday.
“President Biden pledged, coming off the announcement of the Lebanon ceasefire, that we would be working round the clock to produce a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. We are working to do that,” Jake Sullivan told NBC.
Washington is “engaged deeply with the key players in the region,” Mr Sullivan said. “There is activity even today.”
“There will be further conversations and consultations, and our hope is that we can generate a ceasefire and hostage deal. But we're not there yet.”
The Palestinian militant group Hamas seized 251 hostages on October 7 last year during its attack on Israel, with 97 still being held in Gaza, including 34 who have been confirmed dead.
Speaking in Jerusalem on Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said there were indications progress could be made on a deal securing the release of hostages by Hamas in Gaza.
“There are signs we may see a greater degree of flexibility from Hamas as a result of circumstances that have developed, including the agreement with Lebanon,” he said.
Mr Sullivan praised the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement, adding that the US was collaborating with Lebanon's military to ensure it is implemented “effectively”.
“Now that's not going to involve US forces deployed on the ground in southern Lebanon, but it will mean that we will put our full backing behind this,” he said.
In an apparent reference to the Israeli drone attack on southern Lebanon on Saturday, Mr Sullivan said both parties “have the right, consistent with international law, to take action in self-defence if they're facing imminent threats.”
Both sides have accused each other of breaching the terms of the ceasefire since it came into effect on Wednesday.
Mr Sullivan also addressed the continuing conflict in Syria, noting the involvement of three major backers of the Syrian government, Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah, who have been “distracted and weakened” by conflicts elsewhere.
“So it's no surprise that you see actors in Syria, including the rebels, try to take advantage of that, and that's exactly what they've done over the last several days,” he noted.
He underscored “concerns” over the rebel offensive being led by the US-designated terrorist group, Hayat Tahrir.
“We are consulting closely with players across the region to try to determine the best way forward, because what we would like to see is the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions that could bring a measure of peace and stability to Syria and protection to civilians, including religious minorities,” he said.
Regarding Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad, Mr Sullivan said he would not make any predictions.
“All I'm going to say is that we will stay deeply engaged in the days ahead.”
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Wonka
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Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
The biog
Marital status: Separated with two young daughters
Education: Master's degree from American Univeristy of Cairo
Favourite book: That Is How They Defeat Despair by Salwa Aladian
Favourite Motto: Their happiness is your happiness
Goal: For Nefsy to become his legacy long after he is gon
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Company%20profile
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
