  Middle East conflict

Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he is against an Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and rejected the 15-point plan proposed by the US, which provides for the withdrawal of troops and the simultaneous disarmament of Hamas. Europe's press examines potential outcomes.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the "Board of Peace" which he established in January has reached an agreement on the disarmament of terrorist organisation Hamas. An Israeli government spokesperson reacted with scepticism and stressed that there would be no withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip until Hamas fighters had laid down their arms. Europe's press takes stock.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has drawn international criticism for his treatment of several activists who had been detained by Israeli forces on board the Gaza aid flotilla Global Sumud. A video posted by the far-right politician shows him mocking the activists, who are on their knees with their hand tied behind their backs, and waving an Israeli flag. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has distanced himself from the incident.

The UN Security Council has endorsed US President Trump's Gaza peace plan with a resolution that provides for the deployment of an international force to stabilise the ceasefire and evokes a 'pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood'. Commentators examine whether the resolution could bring peace to the region.

Israel and Hamas are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire which began on October 10. Both sides have reported attacks and deaths. The Israeli military announced on Sunday evening that it would cease its strikes but warned that there would be a vigorous response to further violations. While some commentators are pessimistic, others see a silver lining to the weekend's fighting.

Israel's government has agreed to implement the first phase of the US plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip. The terrorist organisation Hamas had previously agreed to US President Trump's proposal, which provides for the withdrawal of the Israeli army and the release of all Israeli hostages and around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Commentators voice scepticism and hope.

On 7 October 2023, Hamas carried out a terrorist attack in southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 250 hostages to the Gaza Strip. Since then Israel has been waging war against Hamas in the densely populated Palestinian territory. On the anniversary of the massacre, the media reflect on the situation in the Middle East.

Israel has intercepted the international Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to bring aid to the Gaza Strip, long before it reached the coast, and seized its 40 ships and boats. Of the 462 people on board, more than 300 are still in Israeli custody. Israel described the flotilla's mission as a provocation and is in the process of deporting the activists one after the other.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a 20-point plan presented by US President Donald Trump with the aim of ending the war in Gaza. However Hamas, which was not involved in drawing up the plan, has yet to give its approval. The plan stipulates that the terrorist organisation must release all hostages and lay down its arms. In return, Israel's army would withdraw. The media discuss whether the initiative could really end the war.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced France's recognition of Palestine as an independent state at a UN conference in New York. He described the move as a necessary step towards peace. Canada, the UK, Australia and Portugal had already recognised Palestine shortly before France, while Belgium, Malta and Luxembourg went on to do so shortly afterwards. The discussions at the meeting in New York were focused on the Gaza war and the goal of a two-state solution.

A commission appointed by the UN Human Rights Council has published a report which concludes that four of the five criteria for genocide listed in the UN Genocide Convention have been fulfilled: killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction, and imposing measures to prevent births. Reactions in the European press are mixed.

The Israeli army has launched a ground offensive in Gaza City that aims to completely eliminate Hamas forces in the area, according to a military spokesman. Hundreds of thousands of residents are trying to flee the city. The EU has called for a stop to the 'cycle of violence, destruction and suffering', while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed doubts that the Gaza war can be ended through diplomatic means.

The Israeli military launched airstrikes against buildings in the Qatari capital of Doha on Tuesday, killing several people. According to its own statements it was targeting the leadership of radical Islamist group Hamas, which bears direct responsibility for the massacre on 7 October 2023. The Qatari Foreign Ministry has condemned the attack as a 'flagrant violation' of international law. Europe's press takes stock.

In view of the crisis situation in Gaza, a growing number of countries are speaking out in favour of recognising Palestine as a state. Canada has now become the third G7 country after France and the UK to announce that it is willing to take this step. The press assesses the impact of the initiative and the preconditions for genuine statehood for Palestine.