Live Updates: Hamas reacts to US truce plan; Netanyahu gets Congress invite

Saturday, June 1, 2024

06:30 GMT — Palestinian resistance group Hamas has said it had a positive view of the contents of a proposal announced by US President Joe Biden for a permanent ceasefire in besieged Gaza.

Biden laid out a three-phase ceasefire plan from Israel to Hamas to end the war in Gaza where Israel has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, wounded over 82,000 and caused a colossal humanitarian crisis.

"Hamas confirms its readiness to deal positively and in a constructive manner with any proposal that is based on the permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal [of Israeli forces] from the Gaza Strip, the reconstruction [of Gaza], and the return of the displaced to their places, along with the fulfillment of a genuine prisoner swap deal if the occupation clearly announces commitment to such deal," the group said in a statement.

05:43 GMT –– Canada says it backs Biden's Gaza ceasefire proposal

Canada voiced support for a roadmap for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza announced by US President Joe Biden.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated that Canada has been calling for an immediate ceasefire, an urgent increase in unhindered humanitarian assistance and the release of all hostages.

"The proposal put forward by @POTUS is an opportunity to end the suffering and return to a path to peace. All parties must seize it," the Canadian prime minister wrote X, referring to the President of The United States.

05:38 GMT –– Blinken discusses Gaza ceasefire proposal with Turkish, Jordan, Saudi counterparts

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed President Joe Biden's Gaza ceasefire proposal with counterparts from Türkiye, Jordan and Saudi Arabia in separate telephone calls.

The State Department said in a statement that Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke about the proposal to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages and end the war.

"They discussed the deal’s extensive benefits for the people of Gaza, including a massive influx of humanitarian assistance, the return of Palestinians to North Gaza, and the beginning of the reconstruction of Gaza," said the statement.

It said Blinken underscored that the proposal is in the interests of Israelis and Palestinians.

05:03 GMT –– Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy parts of Brooklyn Museum

Pro-Palestinian protesters took over parts of the Brooklyn Museum, hanging a banner above the main entrance, occupying much of the lobby and scuffling with police, witnesses said.

The art museum in the New York City borough of Brooklyn said it closed an hour early because of the disruption, including skirmishes between police and protesters that took place inside and outside the building.

Some arrests were made but a New York Police Department spokesperson said there would be no official count until after the protest concluded.

04:26 GMT — WHO assembly passes draft resolution asking to expand Palestine's rights

The World Health Organization's governing forum has adopted a draft resolution asking to expand Palestine's rights and privileges in the agency in line with its "participation in the United Nations."

The World Health Assembly adopted the draft resolution on "aligning participation of Palestine in the World Health Organization with its participation in the United Nations," after a show of hands with 101 in favour, five against, and 21 abstaining.

The draft measure was proposed by Algeria, Brunei Darussalam, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Somalia, Tunisia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

It asks to expand the rights and privileges of Palestine as an observer state "without prejudice to its existing rights and privileges."

04:00 GMT — US Congress invites Israel's Netanyahu to address lawmakers

Democratic and Republican leaders in the US Congress have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address to lawmakers, House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

The four party leaders in the House and Senate asked Netanyahu to speak before a joint meeting of Congress at a date yet to be arranged, although US media reported that it is expected to take place just before or soon after the August recess.

A visit from Netanyahu could be an awkward affair for Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called in March for Israel to hold new elections in a rare example of strident criticism from a senior American official of Israel's handling of the war in Gaza.

For our live updates from Friday, May 31, 2024, click here.