Palestinian president appoints new premier
WEST BANK: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Mohammed Mustafa, a long-trusted adviser on economic affairs, as prime minister, the official Wafa news agency said on Thursday.
Mustafa’s appointment comes less than three weeks after his predecessor, Mohammed Shtayyeh, resigned, citing the need for change after the Hamas attack of October 7 triggered war with Israel in Gaza.
The 69-year-old now faces the task of forming a new government for the Palestinian Authority, which has limited powers in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The current Gaza war broke out after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.
The retaliatory Israeli military offensive in Gaza has killed at least 31,490 people, most of them women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Meanwhile, Hamas has proposed what it’s calling a “comprehensive” ceasefire deal, in a bid to move forward talks with Israel as their war in Gaza rages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the militant group is still making unrealistic demands. But the country’s war Cabinet is expected to discuss the matter on Friday.
Hamas is now proposing that Israeli women, children, elderly and ill hostages can be freed in exchange for the release of 700-1,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, Reuters reported.
The details were not published by Hamas when it released a statement on its telegram channel. That simply said its offer was based on “principles and foundations that it considers necessary for the agreement.”
Ship with 200 tonnes of aid approaches Gaza
A ship carrying 200 tonnes of aid approached the coast of Gaza on Friday in a mission to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus that was intended to bring more assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave five months into the war between Israel and Hamas.
The ship, manned by the Spanish aid group Open Arms, left Cyprus on Tuesday towing a barge laden with food sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés. It could be seen off Gaza’s coast on Friday morning. Israel has been under increasing pressure to allow more aid into Gaza.