Israel
Netanyahu opponents likely to form coalition for new govt
Israel has held four elections in the past two years but all have failed to produce a clear majority, reports dpa news agency. Former Defence Minister Naftali Bennett of the pro-settler Yamina party has decided to opt for an alliance with opposition leader Jair Lapid of Yesh Atid, Israeli radio reported on Sunday.
Israel extends travel ban to 7 nations until June 13
The statement issued on Friday by the Ministries of Health and Transport and the Prime Minister's Office also lists Ukraine, Ethiopia, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico and Turkey, Xinhua news agency reported. Israeli citizens and permanent residents who want to travel to one of these countries must apply to an exceptions committee.
Palestine condemns Israel's settlement expansion plan
"Construction of new units aims at expanding the settlements that were built on Palestinian citizens' lands in the area," the Ministry said in a statement sent to Xinhua news agency on Friday. The statement warned that the expansion of settlements in the area of Bethlehem in the West Bank "will isolate Palestinian towns and villages from each other and turn them into isolated islands in an ocean of settlements".
India abstains from UNHRC vote on Israel probe
The resolution was adopted with 24 countries voting in favour of the motion while 9 votings against it. India was amongst the 14 countries that abstained. The resolution was denounced by the Israeli authorities who called it an attempt to “whitewash crimes committed by the terror”. The Israel foreign ministry immediately said that it was not going to cooperate with the probe.
Antony Blinken in Israel for talks to support ceasefire
He is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, reports dpa news agency. Before he left for Israel, Blinken tweeted late Monday night: "Even as we were working with the parties and partners to help reach a ceasefire, we were also focused on the road ahead, including steps we could take to build a better future for Israelis and Palestinians."
Israel warned about actions against Palestinians in E.Jerusalem
The warning was issued by Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh here on Sunday after social media activists published short videos of Israeli police forces attacking Palestinian worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, reports Xinhua news agency. "The Israeli government is fully responsible for sabotaging the efforts of ending the Israeli aggression," Abu Rudeineh said.
Israel to lift most Covid restrictions in June: Health Minister
The minister explained in a statement that the decision was taken "due to the low and stable morbidity in Israel that has been going on for a long time", Xinhua news agency reported. Under the decision, Israeli businesses will no longer need a purple badge, which requires fever measurement at the entrance, keeping distance among customers, placing partitions between buyers and sellers, and more.
Access relaxed to Temple Mount as Gaza ceasefire holds
Violence between Palestinians and Israeli security forces at site, which is sacred for both Muslims and Jews, contributed to increasing tensions before the outbreak of the 11-day military conflict in and around Gaza, reports dpa news agency. The unrest earlier in May was triggered by Palestinian anger over Israeli police blockades in the Old City during the fasting month of Ramadan.
Egypt brokered ceasefire between Israel-Hamas comes into effect
The ceasefire came into force at 2 a.m., reports Xinhua news agency. According to Egypt's official MENA news agency, Cairo will send two security delegations to Israel and Palestine to ensure the implementation of the truce. The heaviest fighting between Israel and the Gaza militants since 2014 has so far killed 232 Palestinians, including 65 children, and 12 Israelis.
Guterres welcomes Israel-Hamas ceasefire
"I welcome the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel, after 11 days of deadly hostilities," Guterres told reporters a few minutes before the ceasefire took effect at 2 a.m. on Friday. According to the latest media reports, a total of 232 Palestinians, including more than 60 children, and at least 12 Israelis, have been killed since violence erupted near the Gaza border on May 10.
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