Recent images and videos from South Israel are not for the faint-hearted. The world watches in shock and horror as the true face of Hamas, a group long defended and mischaracterized by many, comes into the stark light of day. The ISIS-style execution and kidnapping videos make one thing abundantly clear: Hamas is not a band of “revolutionaries” or “freedom fighters”. They are terrorists, and their malevolence is at par with the most diabolic terror groups in history.

There has been an unsettling inclination to paint Hamas in shades of gray, to believe that perhaps there is some redeeming quality, some justification for their actions. However, the live streaming of shooting sprees in Sderot, the parading of desecrated, naked bodies through Gaza streets, and the abduction of innocent children and elderly citizens lay bare the monstrous nature of this organisation.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-condemn-hamas-surprise-attack-from-gaza-express-solidarity-with-israel-643706">Western countries condemn Hamas' attack, express solidarity with Israel</a>

Referring to them as "revolutionaries" is not only a gross misrepresentation but also an insult to genuine freedom fighters worldwide. Revolutionaries fight against oppressive systems for a greater cause, often with an ideology aimed at liberation and the greater good. What we see from Hamas, however, is a brutal agenda that targets innocent civilians, sows fear, and relishes chaos.

Yesterday marks 50 years since Israel faced a surprise attack starting the Yom Kippur War, and history eerily echoes now as another surprise assault unfolds today. Israel, like any sovereign nation, has the unequivocal right to defend its people and its land against such acts of terror.

The unfortunate reality is that there's a narrative war at play. While on one side, there's undeniable evidence of the atrocities committed by Hamas, on the other side, there's a dangerous rhetoric that seeks to justify, or worse, romanticise their actions. Such misleading narratives not only give Hamas the ideological ammunition it needs but also mislead a global audience, many of whom may not have access to unfiltered information.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-at-war-and-we-will-win-it-says-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-as-hamas-launches-surprise-attack-643737">'We are at war and we will win it', says Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu as Hamas launches surprise attack</a>

It is crucial, now more than ever, for global media and international organisations to classify and address Hamas for what they truly are: terrorists. By doing so, we send a message that such acts of wanton violence against civilians are inexcusable and will not be tolerated. Equally, it pushes for accountability, ensuring that those who perpetrate such crimes face the repercussions of their actions.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-conflict-italy-supports-israels-right-to-self-defence-643769">Israel-Palestine Conflict: Italy supports Israel's right to self-defence</a>

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To the resilient people of Sderot and other affected areas in South Israel, the world's thoughts are with you. No civilian should ever have to experience the sheer terror and horror that Hamas has inflicted. It's high time the international community acknowledges the true nature of Hamas and unites in condemning their abhorrent acts.

In the face of such evidence, silence is complicity. We must all raise our voices against the brutalities of Hamas, shatter the false narratives, and ensure that justice is served for the innocent lives lost and forever changed by this terror.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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Recent images and videos from South Israel are not for the faint-hearted. The world watches in shock and horror as the true face of Hamas, a group long defended and mischaracterized by many, comes into the stark light of day.

Recent images and videos from South Israel are not for the faint-hearted. The world watches in shock and horror as the true face of Hamas, a group long defended and mischaracterized by many, comes into the stark light of day. The ISIS-style execution and kidnapping videos make one thing abundantly clear: Hamas is not a band of “revolutionaries” or “freedom fighters”. They are terrorists, and their malevolence is at par with the most diabolic terror groups in history. There has been an unsettling inclination to paint Hamas in shades of gray, to believe that perhaps there is some redeeming quality, some justification for their actions. However, the live streaming of shooting sprees in Sderot, the parading of desecrated, naked bodies through Gaza streets, and the abduction of innocent children and elderly citizens lay bare the monstrous nature of this organisation. Also Read | Western countries condemn Hamas' attack, express solidarity with Israel Referring to them as "revolutionaries" is not only a gross misrepresentation but also an insult to genuine freedom fighters worldwide. Revolutionaries fight against oppressive systems for a greater cause, often with an ideology aimed at liberation and the greater good. What we see from Hamas, however, is a brutal agenda that targets innocent civilians, sows fear, and relishes chaos. Yesterday marks 50 years since Israel faced a surprise attack starting the Yom Kippur War, and history eerily echoes now as another surprise assault unfolds today. Israel, like any sovereign nation, has the unequivocal right to defend its people and its land against such acts of terror. The unfortunate reality is that there's a narrative war at play. While on one side, there's undeniable evidence of the atrocities committed by Hamas, on the other side, there's a dangerous rhetoric that seeks to justify, or worse, romanticise their actions. Such misleading narratives not only give Hamas the ideological ammunition it needs but also mislead a global audience, many of whom may not have access to unfiltered information. Also Read | 'We are at war and we will win it', says Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu as Hamas launches surprise attack It is crucial, now more than ever, for global media and international organisations to classify and address Hamas for what they truly are: terrorists. By doing so, we send a message that such acts of wanton violence against civilians are inexcusable and will not be tolerated. Equally, it pushes for accountability, ensuring that those who perpetrate such crimes face the repercussions of their actions. Watch | Israel-Palestine Conflict: Italy supports Israel's right to self-defence × To the resilient people of Sderot and other affected areas in South Israel, the world's thoughts are with you. No civilian should ever have to experience the sheer terror and horror that Hamas has inflicted. It's high time the international community acknowledges the true nature of Hamas and unites in condemning their abhorrent acts. In the face of such evidence, silence is complicity. We must all raise our voices against the brutalities of Hamas, shatter the false narratives, and ensure that justice is served for the innocent lives lost and forever changed by this terror. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Hamas: The undeniable face of terrorism in Israel

Israel launched air strikes early Tuesday (May 9) against the militant group Islamic Jihad in Gaza, killing 12 people. According to a report by the news agency AFP, the Israeli army said it targeted&nbsp;three leaders of Islamic Jihad and hit&nbsp;&nbsp;"weapon manufacturing sites" belonging to the group.&nbsp;The militant group confirmed three senior officials were killed, naming them in a statement as Jihad Ghannam, secretary of the Al-Quds Brigades military council, and Khalil al-Bahtini,&nbsp;also of the council and commander of the military wing in northern&nbsp;Gaza.

The third official, Tareq Ezzedine, was described by Islamic Jihad as "one of the heads of military action" in the occupied West Bank who operated from&nbsp;Gaza, AFP reported.&nbsp;

According to a report by Al Jazeera, witnesses said&nbsp;an explosion hit the top floor of an apartment building in Gaza and a house in the southern city of Rafah.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/45-year-old-islamic-jihad-member-khader-adnan-dies-is-israeli-custody-588164">45-year-old Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan dies is Israeli custody</a> 
 
Palestinian officials, as per Reuters, confirmed that the Israeli military&nbsp;killed three senior Islamic Jihad commanders in Gaza.

The Israeli army, meanwhile, also instructed its citizens&nbsp;within 40 kilometres of Gaza to enter bomb shelters and following a "situational assessment" they are to remain there until Wednesday. This comes as previous strikes&nbsp;on the Islamic Jihad&nbsp;group&nbsp;have sparked barrages of rockets on Israeli civilians&nbsp;which can go on for days, reported the Israeli media.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-30-rockets-fired-from-gaza-after-palestinian-hunger-striker-dies-in-israeli-custody-588319">Nearly 40 rockets fired from Gaza after Palestinian hunger striker dies in Israeli custody; Israel retaliates</a> 
 
In line with the IDF's&nbsp;warning, schools near Gaza and surrounding areas were asked to be cancelled.&nbsp;COGAT, a unit in the Israeli defence ministry that coordinates civilian affairs with the Palestinians, said two crossings with Gaza were closed for entry and exit of people and goods until further notice, reported Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
Previous attacks 
 
This comes days after dozens of&nbsp;projectiles were fired from Gaza Strip at southern Israel&nbsp;after an Islamic Jihad leader and&nbsp;Palestinian hunger striker, Khader Adnan, died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike. The incident had not only sparked protests but also several rockets were launched from Gaza.&nbsp;

It was not until hours later that the IDF&nbsp;conducted air strikes in response to the volley of rockets launched at Israel and said&nbsp;it targeted the Hamas training camp and several other sites belonging to the group.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Israel launched air strikes early Tuesday (May 9) against the militant group Islamic Jihad in Gaza, killing 12 people. According to a report by the news agency AFP, the Israeli army said it targeted three leaders of Islamic Jihad and hit "weapon manufacturing sites" belonging to the group.

Israel launched air strikes early Tuesday (May 9) against the militant group Islamic Jihad in Gaza, killing 12 people. According to a report by the news agency AFP, the Israeli army said it targeted three leaders of Islamic Jihad and hit "weapon manufacturing sites" belonging to the group. The militant group confirmed three senior officials were killed, naming them in a statement as Jihad Ghannam, secretary of the Al-Quds Brigades military council, and Khalil al-Bahtini, also of the council and commander of the military wing in northern Gaza. The third official, Tareq Ezzedine, was described by Islamic Jihad as "one of the heads of military action" in the occupied West Bank who operated from Gaza, AFP reported. According to a report by Al Jazeera, witnesses said an explosion hit the top floor of an apartment building in Gaza and a house in the southern city of Rafah. ALSO WATCH | 45-year-old Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan dies is Israeli custody Palestinian officials, as per Reuters, confirmed that the Israeli military killed three senior Islamic Jihad commanders in Gaza. The Israeli army, meanwhile, also instructed its citizens within 40 kilometres of Gaza to enter bomb shelters and following a "situational assessment" they are to remain there until Wednesday. This comes as previous strikes on the Islamic Jihad group have sparked barrages of rockets on Israeli civilians which can go on for days, reported the Israeli media. ALSO READ | Nearly 40 rockets fired from Gaza after Palestinian hunger striker dies in Israeli custody; Israel retaliates In line with the IDF's warning, schools near Gaza and surrounding areas were asked to be cancelled. COGAT, a unit in the Israeli defence ministry that coordinates civilian affairs with the Palestinians, said two crossings with Gaza were closed for entry and exit of people and goods until further notice, reported Reuters. Previous attacks This comes days after dozens of projectiles were fired from Gaza Strip at southern Israel after an Islamic Jihad leader and Palestinian hunger striker, Khader Adnan, died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike. The incident had not only sparked protests but also several rockets were launched from Gaza. It was not until hours later that the IDF conducted air strikes in response to the volley of rockets launched at Israel and said it targeted the Hamas training camp and several other sites belonging to the group. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Twelve people, including top militants killed after Israeli jets hit targets in Gaza

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a total of 37 projectiles were fired from Gaza Strip at&nbsp;southern Israel,&nbsp;on Tuesday (May 2),&nbsp;in the span of a few hours, reported Times of Israel. The recent volley of rockets launched from the Gaza Strip began after an Islamic Jihad leader died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike. It was not until late Tuesday that Israel retaliated by conducting airstrikes in Gaza.&nbsp;

Death of Palestinian hunger striker

According to Israel’s Prisons Service, Palestinian hunger striker, Khader Adnan, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital. However, he was declared dead after efforts to revive him failed. This is said to be the first such death in more than three decades. &nbsp;

Adnan had observed at least three hunger strikes, since 2011,&nbsp;in protest at detentions without charges by Israel. It is a tactic often used by Palestinian prisoners but none of them have died since 1992, reports Reuters.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/45-year-old-islamic-jihad-member-khader-adnan-dies-is-israeli-custody-588164">45-year-old Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan dies is Israeli custody</a>

However, Khader Adnan’s lawyer Jamil al-Khatib and Lina Qasem-Hassan of Physicians for Human Rights in Israel, who recently met him, have accused Israeli authorities of withholding medical care. Al-Khatib told Reuters, how they asked that Adnan be moved to a civilian hospital to be “properly monitored,” but their demand was “met by intransigence and rejection”. &nbsp;

Adnan’s death sparks protests, violence

Hours after the Palestinian detainee’s death, hundreds of people took to the streets in blockaded Gaza and the occupied West Bank’s Ramallah.&nbsp;Adnan’s death has also been called an assassination by Palestinian leaders while the armed group Islamic Jihad warns Israel that it will “pay the price for this crime”.&nbsp;

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh also described Adnan’s death as a “deliberate assassination”.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-speaker-mccarthy-addresses-israels-parliament-says-assure-security-funding-to-israel-wion-587943">US speaker McCarthy addresses Israel's Parliament, says 'assure security funding to Israel' | WION</a> 
 
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Palestinian politician&nbsp;Mustafa Barghouti&nbsp;from the Palestinian National Initiative political party&nbsp;directly blamed the Israeli government and national security minister&nbsp;Itamar Ben-Gvir for Adnan’s death and said they are “personally responsible for this act of assassination”.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a Palestinian gunman opened fire at Israeli vehicles and injured one person who was driving near the West Bank’s Avnei Hefetz, on Tuesday. The 39-year-old Israeli man travelling in one of the vehicles was lightly injured by glass shards, said the Israeli ambulance service&nbsp;Magen David Adom. The incident took place hours after Adnan’s death, however, no group or individual had immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;

A volley of rockets fired

The IDF, in an earlier statement, said that sirens were sounded across areas surrounding the Gaza Strip after several rocket launches. The Israeli military said at least three rockets were fired from Gaza in the hours after Adnan's death and a further 26 were launched later in the afternoon.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/israeli-airstrike-kills-one-soldier-injures-seven-people-puts-aleppo-airport-out-of-service-says-syria-587974">Israeli airstrike kills one soldier, puts Aleppo airport out of service, says Syria</a>

According to media reports citing officials, two rockets landed in the southern city of Sderot which injured three foreign nationals, including a 25-year-old who was seriously wounded. As of late Tuesday, the IDF has confirmed that rockets fired from Gaza have hit multiple locations in southern Israel, including Kissufim and areas of Sderot.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with security officials after the IDF said they were investigating how two rockets had penetrated their Iron Dome air defence system.&nbsp;

In a recent statement, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he has completed several “operational situation assessments” after the rocket fire from Gaza Strip&nbsp;and the security forces will “act with determination” to defend their citizens.&nbsp; 
 
Israel&nbsp;retaliates 
 
The IDF has said that they will carry out&nbsp;airstrikes in the Gaza Strip in response to the volley of rockets launched at Israel, earlier Tuesday. According to&nbsp;Palestinian media, explosions were heard across the northern part of Gaza. Meanwhile, the&nbsp;armed&nbsp;Hamas group said&nbsp;its members are firing missiles at Israeli aircraft over the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explosions-heard-in-gaza-palestine-says-strikes-hit-hamas-training-sites-579951">&nbsp;Israel launches air strikes on Gaza Strip after vowing to retaliate over Lebanon rocket salvo</a> 
 
In a statement, the Israeli military said it targeted&nbsp;Hamas training camp and several other sites belonging to the group and said, "The strike deals a serious blow to Hamas’s ability to fortify and arm itself," as quoted by Times of Israel. It added, "The Hamas terror organization is responsible for the Gaza Strip and will pay the price for security violations against the State of Israel."&nbsp;

Reports of rockets being fired also came hours after Syrian state media reported that Israel launched airstrikes targeting north Syria’s Aleppo province late Monday.&nbsp;The report citing a military source also said that seven people, including two civilians, were injured, and the supposed strike had since put the Aleppo international airport out of service.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a total of 37 projectiles were fired from Gaza Strip at southern Israel, on Tuesday (May 2), in the span of a few hours, reported Times of Israel.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a total of 37 projectiles were fired from Gaza Strip at southern Israel, on Tuesday (May 2), in the span of a few hours, reported Times of Israel. The recent volley of rockets launched from the Gaza Strip began after an Islamic Jihad leader died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike. It was not until late Tuesday that Israel retaliated by conducting airstrikes in Gaza. Death of Palestinian hunger striker According to Israel’s Prisons Service, Palestinian hunger striker, Khader Adnan, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital. However, he was declared dead after efforts to revive him failed. This is said to be the first such death in more than three decades. Adnan had observed at least three hunger strikes, since 2011, in protest at detentions without charges by Israel. It is a tactic often used by Palestinian prisoners but none of them have died since 1992, reports Reuters. ALSO WATCH | 45-year-old Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan dies is Israeli custody However, Khader Adnan’s lawyer Jamil al-Khatib and Lina Qasem-Hassan of Physicians for Human Rights in Israel, who recently met him, have accused Israeli authorities of withholding medical care. Al-Khatib told Reuters, how they asked that Adnan be moved to a civilian hospital to be “properly monitored,” but their demand was “met by intransigence and rejection”. Adnan’s death sparks protests, violence Hours after the Palestinian detainee’s death, hundreds of people took to the streets in blockaded Gaza and the occupied West Bank’s Ramallah. Adnan’s death has also been called an assassination by Palestinian leaders while the armed group Islamic Jihad warns Israel that it will “pay the price for this crime”. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh also described Adnan’s death as a “deliberate assassination”. ALSO WATCH | US speaker McCarthy addresses Israel's Parliament, says 'assure security funding to Israel' | WION Speaking to Al Jazeera, Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti from the Palestinian National Initiative political party directly blamed the Israeli government and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for Adnan’s death and said they are “personally responsible for this act of assassination”. Meanwhile, a Palestinian gunman opened fire at Israeli vehicles and injured one person who was driving near the West Bank’s Avnei Hefetz, on Tuesday. The 39-year-old Israeli man travelling in one of the vehicles was lightly injured by glass shards, said the Israeli ambulance service Magen David Adom. The incident took place hours after Adnan’s death, however, no group or individual had immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. A volley of rockets fired The IDF, in an earlier statement, said that sirens were sounded across areas surrounding the Gaza Strip after several rocket launches. The Israeli military said at least three rockets were fired from Gaza in the hours after Adnan's death and a further 26 were launched later in the afternoon. ALSO READ | Israeli airstrike kills one soldier, puts Aleppo airport out of service, says Syria According to media reports citing officials, two rockets landed in the southern city of Sderot which injured three foreign nationals, including a 25-year-old who was seriously wounded. As of late Tuesday, the IDF has confirmed that rockets fired from Gaza have hit multiple locations in southern Israel, including Kissufim and areas of Sderot. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with security officials after the IDF said they were investigating how two rockets had penetrated their Iron Dome air defence system. In a recent statement, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he has completed several “operational situation assessments” after the rocket fire from Gaza Strip and the security forces will “act with determination” to defend their citizens. Israel retaliates The IDF has said that they will carry out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip in response to the volley of rockets launched at Israel, earlier Tuesday. According to Palestinian media, explosions were heard across the northern part of Gaza. Meanwhile, the armed Hamas group said its members are firing missiles at Israeli aircraft over the Gaza Strip. ALSO READ | Israel launches air strikes on Gaza Strip after vowing to retaliate over Lebanon rocket salvo In a statement, the Israeli military said it targeted Hamas training camp and several other sites belonging to the group and said, "The strike deals a serious blow to Hamas’s ability to fortify and arm itself," as quoted by Times of Israel. It added, "The Hamas terror organization is responsible for the Gaza Strip and will pay the price for security violations against the State of Israel." Reports of rockets being fired also came hours after Syrian state media reported that Israel launched airstrikes targeting north Syria’s Aleppo province late Monday. The report citing a military source also said that seven people, including two civilians, were injured, and the supposed strike had since put the Aleppo international airport out of service. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nearly 40 rockets fired from Gaza after Palestinian hunger striker dies in Israeli custody; Israel retaliates

Ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protest-in-israel-against-netanyahu-amid-third-coronavirus-lockdown-355733">Netanyahu</a> directed authorities to approve construction of 800 new homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Watch:

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The new settlements will take place in Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu's announcement comes as the country gets set to go to the polls on March 23 with the prime minister facing a strong right-wing challenge from pro-settler candidate Gideon Saar.

Saar in a statement said Netanyahu and Gantz should "rise above the disputes and regulate the status of these communities".

The Israeli PM's office had said earlier that 100 of the new units were to be built in the Tal Menashe settlement.

Palestinians, however, condemned the move as "illegal". Most countries view Israeli settlements as violating international law. According to reports, there are nearly 450,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank who are living along with &nbsp;2.8 million Palestinians.

The outgoing Trump administration has given its support to settler group with its top diplomat Pompeo visiting the settlement in the West Bank in November.

The US government had earlier recognised the Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved its embassy there angering Palestinians.

"The Israeli settlements tenders are illegal and his announcement today about the new 800 colonial units escalate the aggression towards the Palestinians, we consider all settlements illegal," Wasel Abu Youssef, member of the executive committee of the PLO, said.

The latest move by the Israeli PM is being closely watched by president-elect Joe Biden who has been critical of Netanyahu's settlement policies and has indicated he might reserve Trump's US policy on West Bank. 
&nbsp;

Ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed authorities to approve construction of 800 new homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed authorities to approve construction of 800 new homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank. Watch: The new settlements will take place in Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu's announcement comes as the country gets set to go to the polls on March 23 with the prime minister facing a strong right-wing challenge from pro-settler candidate Gideon Saar. Saar in a statement said Netanyahu and Gantz should "rise above the disputes and regulate the status of these communities". The Israeli PM's office had said earlier that 100 of the new units were to be built in the Tal Menashe settlement. Palestinians, however, condemned the move as "illegal". Most countries view Israeli settlements as violating international law. According to reports, there are nearly 450,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank who are living along with 2.8 million Palestinians. The outgoing Trump administration has given its support to settler group with its top diplomat Pompeo visiting the settlement in the West Bank in November. The US government had earlier recognised the Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved its embassy there angering Palestinians. "The Israeli settlements tenders are illegal and his announcement today about the new 800 colonial units escalate the aggression towards the Palestinians, we consider all settlements illegal," Wasel Abu Youssef, member of the executive committee of the PLO, said. The latest move by the Israeli PM is being closely watched by president-elect Joe Biden who has been critical of Netanyahu's settlement policies and has indicated he might reserve Trump's US policy on West Bank.

Ahead of Biden's inauguration, Netanyahu authorises new Israeli settlements in West Bank

An Israeli minister played down on Tuesday the likelihood of major moves to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on July 1, the planned starting point for cabinet debate on the issue.

Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said Israel still did not have the green light it seeks from Washington to begin extending its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank, territory Palestinians seek for a state.

Palestinian leaders, the United Nations, European powers and Arab countries have all denounced any annexation of land that Israeli forces captured in a 1967 war.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/israel-leaders-netanyahu-and-gantz-at-odds-over-west-bank-annexation-plan-309532" hreflang="en">Israel leaders Netanyahu and Gantz at odds over West Bank annexation plan</a>

"Whoever painted a picture of everything happening in one day on July 1, did so at their own risk," Elkin, minister of higher education, told Army Radio when asked what would happen on Wednesday. "From tomorrow, the clock will start ticking."

No cabinet session for Wednesday has been announced.

US&nbsp;officials are in Israel as part of the White House's efforts to win consensus within its government for annexation as envisioned in an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan announced by President Donald Trump in January.

The proposal calls for Israeli sovereignty over about 30% of the West Bank - land on which Israel has built settlements for decades - as well as the creation of a Palestinian state under strict conditions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/israels-cabinet-meets-to-finalise-annexation-plans-for-occupied-west-bank-309153" hreflang="en">Israel's cabinet meets to finalise annexation plans for occupied West Bank</a>

Palestinians say the blueprint would make statehood, in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, unviable, and most world powers view Israel's settlements on occupied land as illegal. Netanyahu says the Jewish people have a legal, historic and moral claim to the West Bank, the biblical Judea and Samaria.

Netanyahu and his main coalition government partner, Defence Minister Benny Gantz, are at odds over annexation, which the right-wing prime minister has promoted.

In an interview with the YNet news site on Tuesday, Gantz repeated his call for Israel to try to enlist Palestinian and international support for the Trump plan before proceeding with a unilateral annexation move.

An Israeli minister played down on Tuesday the likelihood of major moves to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on July 1, the planned starting point for cabinet debate on the issue.

An Israeli minister played down on Tuesday the likelihood of major moves to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on July 1, the planned starting point for cabinet debate on the issue. Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said Israel still did not have the green light it seeks from Washington to begin extending its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank, territory Palestinians seek for a state. Palestinian leaders, the United Nations, European powers and Arab countries have all denounced any annexation of land that Israeli forces captured in a 1967 war. Also read: Israel leaders Netanyahu and Gantz at odds over West Bank annexation plan "Whoever painted a picture of everything happening in one day on July 1, did so at their own risk," Elkin, minister of higher education, told Army Radio when asked what would happen on Wednesday. "From tomorrow, the clock will start ticking." No cabinet session for Wednesday has been announced. US officials are in Israel as part of the White House's efforts to win consensus within its government for annexation as envisioned in an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan announced by President Donald Trump in January. The proposal calls for Israeli sovereignty over about 30% of the West Bank - land on which Israel has built settlements for decades - as well as the creation of a Palestinian state under strict conditions. Also read: Israel's cabinet meets to finalise annexation plans for occupied West Bank Palestinians say the blueprint would make statehood, in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, unviable, and most world powers view Israel's settlements on occupied land as illegal. Netanyahu says the Jewish people have a legal, historic and moral claim to the West Bank, the biblical Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu and his main coalition government partner, Defence Minister Benny Gantz, are at odds over annexation, which the right-wing prime minister has promoted. In an interview with the YNet news site on Tuesday, Gantz repeated his call for Israel to try to enlist Palestinian and international support for the Trump plan before proceeding with a unilateral annexation move.

Israeli minister signals major West Bank annexation move not imminent

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Tuesday to build 3,500 new settler homes in a super-sensitive area of the occupied West Bank, just a week before a tight general election.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Tuesday to build 3,500 new settler homes in a super-sensitive area of the occupied West Bank, just a week before a tight general election. "I gave immediate instructions for a permit to deposit (plans) for the construction of 3,500 units in E1," Netanyahu said. Also Read: Netanyahu withdraws bid for immunity from corruption prosecution The international community has warned repeatedly that Jewish settlement construction in the E1 corridor would cut the West Bank in two and compromise the contiguity of a future Palestinian state. "We are building Jerusalem and Jerusalem's outskirts," Netanyahu said at a conference in remarks relayed by a spokesman. In 2013, Netanyahu had vetoed construction in the E1 corridor in the face of UN, EU and US pressure. Watch: Today Tonight: Donald Trump welcomes Benjamin Netanyahu | WION News | World News The move to advance new homes, which would constitute a new neighbourhood of Maale Adumim, a nearby settlement town, was praised by the Yesha Council, a settler lobby group, which noted that plans for homes there have existed since 2004. "Advancing the issue will enable broad and strategic construction between Maale Adumim and Jerusalem," Yesha Council head David Elhayani said in a statement. On Thursday, Netanyahu announced plans for thousands of new homes for Israelis in annexed east Jerusalem, with critics calling the move a last-minute gift to nationalist supporters ahead of a March 2 general election.

Netanyahu pledges new settler homes in West Bank corridor

France convened&nbsp;foreign ministers from major powers today to put Israel-Palestinian peacemaking back on the international agenda and find a common ground to bring the two sides back to the table by the end of the year.

With US&nbsp;efforts to broker a deal on a Palestinian state on Israel-occupied land in deep freeze for two years,&nbsp;and Washington focused on its November presidential election, France has lobbied key players to hold a conference that would aim to break the apathy over the impasse and stir new diplomatic momentum.&nbsp; 
 
The gathering of ministers in Paris includes the Middle East Quartet - which comprises the United States, Russia, the European Union and United Nations - as well as the Arab League, the UN&nbsp;Security Council and about 20 countries.

France has grown frustrated over the absence of movement towards a &quot;two-state solution&quot; since the collapse of the last round of talks in April 2014, arguing that letting the status quo prevail is like &quot;waiting for a powder keg to explode&quot;.

&quot;We know that we aren&#39;t going to get the Israelis and Palestinians to make peace immediately, but we want to create the right conditions to get the two around the negotiating table,&quot; said a senior French diplomat.

Neither Israel nor the Palestinians have been invited.

The meeting, the first international conference on the issue since Annapolis in the United States in 2007, will not touch on any of the chronic core differences between the two sides.

Its initial focus is to reaffirm existing international texts and resolutions that are based on achieving a Palestinian State in the West Bank and Gaza Strip co-existing with Israel, an outcome some say is becoming unrealistic.

PROTRACTED IMPASSE

Previous attempts to coax the foes to strike a deal have come to nought. The Palestinians say Israeli settlement expansion in occupied territory is dimming any prospect for the state they seek, with a capital in Arab East Jerusalem.

Israel has demanded tighter security measures from the Palestinians and a crackdown on militants who have attacked Israeli civilians or threaten their safety. It also says Jerusalem is Israel&#39;s indivisible capital and cannot be divided.

The Paris meeting will try to establish working groups comprising various countries that would meet in the coming months and tackle all aspects of the peace process.

Some groups would strive to create&nbsp;economic incentives and security guarantees to convince both sides to return to talks. Others would focus on trying to find ways to break deadlocks that scuttled previous negotiations, or look at whether other peace efforts such as a 2002 Arab initiative remain viable.

&quot;France isn&#39;t trying to reinvent things that already are out there. The idea is to rebuild confidence and convince everybody to work together to find a way to get to the next conference,&quot; the diplomat said. He said the objective was to get Israelis and Palestinians back together after the US&nbsp;elections.

A senior US&nbsp;State Department official said that secretary of state&nbsp;John Kerry&nbsp;would bring no specific proposals to the conference.

US&nbsp;delegates will be in Paris &quot;to listen to the ideas that the French and others may have, and talk through with them what might make sense going forward,&quot; the official said.

While objecting to the French initiative, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stopped short of saying Israel would boycott the conference, although Dore Gold, director-general of Israel&rsquo;s foreign ministry, told reporters in Jerusalem that the initiative was doomed.

&quot;One hundred years ago, two officials by the name of Mark Sykes and Francois-George Picot tried to dictate a new order in the Middle East. It was at the apex of the era of colonialism in our era. This effort utterly failed then, and will completely fail today,&quot; he said.

Sykes and Picot were British and French diplomats who secretly mapped out a Middle East their nations would control on defeating the Ottoman Turks in World War One, but the borders they drew have been blurred by nationalist and sectarian bloodshed in recent years.

The Palestinians have meanwhile shelved plans to push for a UN Security Council resolution condemning settlements to see how the French initiative pans out.

In a column in the French daily Le Monde on Thursday, Palestinian chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said the old method of bilateral talks had failed and that it was time to move to a &quot;multilateral framework&quot; that would allow the international community to impose international law in the region.

&quot;We aren&#39;t going to resolve this without the two parties and in the end the difficult choices will have to be made by them,&quot; the French diplomat said.

France has lobbied world major powers to discuss the two-state solution and bring Israel and Palestine back to the table by the end of 2016

France convened foreign ministers from major powers today to put Israel-Palestinian peacemaking back on the international agenda and find a common ground to bring the two sides back to the table by the end of the year. With US efforts to broker a deal on a Palestinian state on Israel-occupied land in deep freeze for two years, and Washington focused on its November presidential election, France has lobbied key players to hold a conference that would aim to break the apathy over the impasse and stir new diplomatic momentum. The gathering of ministers in Paris includes the Middle East Quartet - which comprises the United States, Russia, the European Union and United Nations - as well as the Arab League, the UN Security Council and about 20 countries. France has grown frustrated over the absence of movement towards a "two-state solution" since the collapse of the last round of talks in April 2014, arguing that letting the status quo prevail is like "waiting for a powder keg to explode". "We know that we aren't going to get the Israelis and Palestinians to make peace immediately, but we want to create the right conditions to get the two around the negotiating table," said a senior French diplomat. Neither Israel nor the Palestinians have been invited. The meeting, the first international conference on the issue since Annapolis in the United States in 2007, will not touch on any of the chronic core differences between the two sides. Its initial focus is to reaffirm existing international texts and resolutions that are based on achieving a Palestinian State in the West Bank and Gaza Strip co-existing with Israel, an outcome some say is becoming unrealistic. PROTRACTED IMPASSE Previous attempts to coax the foes to strike a deal have come to nought. The Palestinians say Israeli settlement expansion in occupied territory is dimming any prospect for the state they seek, with a capital in Arab East Jerusalem. Israel has demanded tighter security measures from the Palestinians and a crackdown on militants who have attacked Israeli civilians or threaten their safety. It also says Jerusalem is Israel's indivisible capital and cannot be divided. The Paris meeting will try to establish working groups comprising various countries that would meet in the coming months and tackle all aspects of the peace process. Some groups would strive to create economic incentives and security guarantees to convince both sides to return to talks. Others would focus on trying to find ways to break deadlocks that scuttled previous negotiations, or look at whether other peace efforts such as a 2002 Arab initiative remain viable. "France isn't trying to reinvent things that already are out there. The idea is to rebuild confidence and convince everybody to work together to find a way to get to the next conference," the diplomat said. He said the objective was to get Israelis and Palestinians back together after the US elections. A senior US State Department official said that secretary of state John Kerry would bring no specific proposals to the conference. US delegates will be in Paris "to listen to the ideas that the French and others may have, and talk through with them what might make sense going forward," the official said. While objecting to the French initiative, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stopped short of saying Israel would boycott the conference, although Dore Gold, director-general of Israel’s foreign ministry, told reporters in Jerusalem that the initiative was doomed. "One hundred years ago, two officials by the name of Mark Sykes and Francois-George Picot tried to dictate a new order in the Middle East. It was at the apex of the era of colonialism in our era. This effort utterly failed then, and will completely fail today," he said. Sykes and Picot were British and French diplomats who secretly mapped out a Middle East their nations would control on defeating the Ottoman Turks in World War One, but the borders they drew have been blurred by nationalist and sectarian bloodshed in recent years. The Palestinians have meanwhile shelved plans to push for a UN Security Council resolution condemning settlements to see how the French initiative pans out. In a column in the French daily Le Monde on Thursday, Palestinian chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said the old method of bilateral talks had failed and that it was time to move to a "multilateral framework" that would allow the international community to impose international law in the region. "We aren't going to resolve this without the two parties and in the end the difficult choices will have to be made by them," the French diplomat said.

Major powers meet to revive Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking