The US president's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, met with the Qatari prime minister to discuss the possibility of securing an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, about 20 Muslim countries condemned the plan, calling it a "dangerous escalation," just hours after the cabinet decided to occupy Gaza City. Germany imposed a de facto arms embargo on Israel. The UN Security Council is also set to hold an urgent emergency session in response to Israel's decision to occupy Gaza.
Witkoff meets Qatari prime minister in Spain
US President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, met in Spain with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani to discuss the possibility of securing an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip. The talks explored ways to bridge the deepest divides between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization, including Hamas' refusal to disarm, Israel's demand to maintain security lines in a buffer zone and along the Philadelphi Corridor, and Hamas' demand for the release of terrorists involved in the massacre.
Hostage families protest: 'Cabinet of death'
Families of Israeli hostages held a rally against the government's decision to occupy the Gaza Strip, marching from the protest site toward the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv. At the center of the demonstration was the "Hunger Display," in which relatives sat around a table with cans of beans. Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan, said, "Last Thursday, the cabinet sealed the hostages' fate." Hagai Angrest, brother of Matan, urged the IDF chief of staff to refuse any order to enter areas where hostages are held.
Arab states warn: Gaza occupation will lead to escalation
Roughly 20 Muslim-majority countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, denounced Israel's plan to occupy Gaza, calling it a "blatant violation of international law" and a "dangerous escalation." Turkey's foreign minister urged the Muslim world to show "absolute unity against Israel's plan to occupy Gaza."
Iran claims arrest of 20 spies
Days after the execution of Iranian nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi, convicted of transferring information to Israel, Iranian authorities announced they had arrested 20 people in recent months who allegedly cooperated with Israel and worked for the Mossad. Officials warned the detainees would receive no leniency and that their punishment would serve as an example to others.
Zelensky rejects Putin's proposal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the Russian "peace plan" reportedly passed to US President Donald Trump. "The answer to Ukraine's territorial question is already in our constitution. No one will back down from this, and no one can. Ukrainians will not gift their land to occupiers," he said. Trump announced he will meet the Russian president next Friday in Alaska.
Armenia and Azerbaijan move toward peace
Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a joint declaration at the White House, paving the way for a peace agreement that would end nearly four decades of conflict and give the US a strategic foothold in a region bordering Iran and deep within the former Soviet sphere.
