German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to halt the war in Gaza must be achieved by the start of next week at the latest but added that all the other issues would need time.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Agencja Wyborcza.pl/Dawid Zuchowicz/via Reuters
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plans to halt the war in Gaza must be achieved by the start of next week at the latest but added that all the other issues would need time.
The first phase aims at a ceasefire, release of hostages and prisoners, restraint in the military conflict and bringing in supplies to Gaza - all of which are feasible, said Wadephul.
"All other issues are very complicated and, indeed, that is why they also need time," said Wadephul at a press conference in Tel Aviv.
"We must not abandon all diplomatic efforts, but I would like to focus now on taking this first decisive step together."
Reporting by Miranda Murray and Alexander Cornwall
A senior Hamas leader, Khaled Mechaal, said on Sunday that the Palestinian terrorist group would not give up its weapons and would reject any form of foreign control over the Gaza Strip, despite calls from the United States for its disarmament.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington, where they will discuss negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu's office said on Saturday.
Iran will strike U.S. bases in the Middle East if it is attacked by U.S. forces that have massed in the region, its foreign minister said on Saturday, insisting that this should not be seen as an attack on the countries hosting them.
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