The tensions between Israel and Hamas they seem to find a glimmer of hope in new negotiations for one truce in Gaza, although significant obstacles could undermine the ongoing negotiations. Official Israeli sources announced a turning point in the conversations, praising the initially positive response from Hamas. However, the path to a comprehensive agreement remains quite bumpy.
Currently, a high-level Israeli delegation, composed of Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar and General Nitzan Alon, is in Doha for crucial meetings with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. The goal is to discuss a proposed agreement that includes the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, as well as a lasting truce with Hamas. The information was reported by Times of Israel, which relaunched the news coming from the Kan broadcaster.
While an uncertain peace is being negotiated in the Middle East, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visits the Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Just four days after declaring that Ukraine would be the priority of the Hungarian EU presidency for the next six months and having met Zelensky in Kiev, Orbán made a decision that sparked a harsh reaction from Brussels. It has been made clear that Orbán has no mandate to negotiate with Russia on behalf of the EU. For his part, the Hungarian prime minister defended his action by claiming that the visit is of a bilateral nature between Hungary and Russia. The last European leader in Moscow was the Frenchman Macron on 7 February 2022, close to the outbreak of the war.
Hopes for truce as Gaza remains under bombardment
However, despite signs of progress in the ceasefire talks, Israel has continued its efforts military operations intense in different areas of the Gaza Strip. Since June 27, Israeli forces have intensified operations a Shujaia, with the neutralization of approximately 100 terrorists and over 100 terrorist sites. TO Rafah, in southern Gaza, dozens of terrorists were eliminated and numerous mined structures, but also civilians, were neutralized according to the Palestinian state news agency, Wafa.
The Israeli air force also carried out targeted raids beyond the borders of the Gaza Strip, hitting Hezbollah targets in south of Lebanon. The military spokesman confirmed that the shelling targeted areas such as Jibbain and Kfarhamam, while artillery responded to threats in the Naqoura area. The tensions have also seen Hezbollah launch a significant number of rockets and explosive drones towards northern Israel, raising concerns about regional stability.
In the meantime, in West Bank, an Israeli raid in Jenin led to the deaths of five people, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. The attack, conducted via drone, hit a group of people in the Jenin refugee camp, sparking criticism over civilian casualties.
International diplomacy and internal protests
Internationally, diplomatic efforts are intensifying, with US President Joe Biden urging the Israeli Prime Minister to secure a deal to release the hostages, underlining the importance of security and stability in the region. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah also met with a Hamas delegation to discuss recent developments in Gaza and proposals to stop hostilities with Israel.
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, the internal political tensions have manifested themselves in large protests against Netanyahu and his government. Thousands of people marched in Jerusalem and other cities, criticizing the government's approach to ceasefire talks and hostage releases. Under the slogan "Netanyahu endangers Israel's security", the protesters expressed their dissent towards government policies, demanding an immediate agreement to guarantee the safe return of civilians still detained.
Ukraine-Russia war: Orbán from Putin, goodbye to the EU
The Hungarian prime minister, whose pro-Russian positions have long been known, sparked controversy with his visit to the Kremlin, which took place four days after assuming the rotating presidency of the EU. This move was strongly criticized by several European leaders, including the President of the European Council Charles Michel, which made it clear that Orbán does not have the EU mandate to negotiate with Russia regarding Ukraine, given its status as an aggressor and Ukraine as a victim of the conflict. The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell he specified that the external representation of the Union is the responsibility of the President of the European Council at the level of Heads of State or Government, and of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at ministerial level. Furthermore, he added that President Putin has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
Orbán defended his action by stressing that the visit is strictly bilateral between Hungary e Russia, not representing the EU in any way. “I don't have a mandate, I'm simply visiting places where there is a war going on that can impact Hungary and I ask questions,” Orbán said in an interview with Radio Kossuth. He then expressed his commitment to contributing to the peace efforts, even without an official EU mandate, underlining that Hungary will use its rotating presidency to facilitate dialogue.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with Russia claiming to have shot down over 550 Ukrainian planes, 180 helicopters and 27 drones since hostilities began. The human cost of the conflict is also evident from the tragic death of a six-year-old girl during a drone attack on the Russian city of Primorsko-Akhtarsk.
