Senior Hamas figure Moussa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that the group had agreed in principle to the central elements of Washington’s initiative for halting the Gaza conflict, though he emphasized that the plan’s “implementation requires negotiation.”
He singled out the part of the proposal that called for freeing all hostages within three days, arguing that such a timeline was “unrealistic under the current circumstances.”
Previously, the organization had informed Arab go-betweens that it did not know the whereabouts of some of the bodies of dead captives, and that returning them all to Israel could take time.
It was not certain whether the United States wanted to continue discussions or whether it expected Hamas to simply accept the deal without changes.
Several provisions of the 20-clause proposal were vague enough that further negotiations would likely have been necessary. One such passage said Israeli troops “will withdraw to the agreed-upon line” once the plan was accepted, but did not spell out what that boundary was or if it still needed to be determined.
The language may have been pointing to a map that depicted a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces, but the diagram did not appear to be drawn with precise measurements.
Marzouk noted that the section describing an international peacekeeping mission to replace the IDF in Gaza “requires clarification.”
He also told Al Jazeera that Hamas would not give up its arsenal before the Israeli “occupation” ended, insisting that any decisions about Gaza’s future should be handled by a broad Palestinian national framework in which Hamas would participate.
According to Marzouk, there also needed to be another round of negotiations on the issue of the group’s weapons.
However, the American plan did not seem to leave the matter open for bargaining, declaring that all arms must be destroyed and that Gaza had to be fully demilitarized.
“We will hand over [our] weapons to the future Palestinian state, and whoever governs Gaza will have [our] weapons in his hand,” Marzouk said.
Even with his objections, Marzouk maintained that Hamas had engaged with the U.S. proposal in an open and responsible manner.
{Matzav.com}
Reports in the UK said Friday that the terrorist who stormed a Manchester shul on Yom Kippur had been released on bail after being accused of assault, as old social media posts surfaced showing his father praising the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, even while publicly condemning his son’s actions.
For the first time, the attack was openly tied to the war in Gaza when an eyewitness told ITV News that the assailant, Jihad al-Shamie, yelled “this is what they get for killing our children” while trying to force his way into the Heaton Park Congregation during Yom Kippur tefillos.
The news broke as a vigil was held near the shul, where Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister David Lammy faced shouts from attendees who demanded that the government shut down pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrations.
Local mispallelim Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed, and three more were gravely injured in the attack that struck on the holiest day of the year.
Shamie, a 35-year-old Syrian-born British citizen, was shot dead as he attempted to break into the building. Daulby was mistakenly killed by police gunfire as he tried to help block the entrance, authorities said, later praising his bravery.
UK media reported that Shamie had been under investigation for an assault earlier this year and had been free on bail when he carried out the rampage.
Sources quoted by The Guardian said Shamie had prior minor convictions not tied to terrorism. Another official noted that he was “on nobody’s radar for terrorism but he definitely had a criminal record.”
Investigators were also looking into whether Shamie was connected to a death threat emailed in 2012 to then-MP John Howell. The Guardian reported that Howell received a message signed “Jihad Alshamie” reading, “It is people like you who deserve to die.” Howell said he believed the threat was tied to his outspoken support for Israel.
In a statement, Shamie’s family denounced the attack in strong terms, describing it as a “heinous” act that left them in “profound shock.”
“The news from Manchester regarding the terrorist attack targeting a Jewish synagogue has been a profound shock to us,” wrote his father, Faraj al-Shamie, on Facebook. “The Al-Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians.
“We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened. Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we pray for their strength and comfort,” he added. “May God have mercy on the innocent victims, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured.”
Yet only hours later, The Times uncovered old Facebook posts by Faraj al-Shamie that called for Israel’s downfall and praised Hamas’s invasion of Israel on October 7. That attack triggered the war in Gaza and was followed by a surge in antisemitic incidents across the globe.
On the day of the Hamas assault, Shamie had written that the terrorists were “God’s men on earth” and that they “prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Israel will not remain.”
In another post several days later, he urged Hamas to “release the elderly and children. What you have done so far is a miracle by all standards. Do not harm them in a moment of anger. They have no place in war.”
“May God grant you victory, support you, and guide you to the right path in a battle that history will record as the beginning of the liberation of Al-Aqsa, God willing,” he added.
Though critical of Iran’s government, Shamie nonetheless applauded Tehran’s missile barrage against Israel during a 12-day conflict this past June, writing with video clips of the destruction, “We are waiting for more,” and “your goods are being returned to you.”
The Times further reported that Shamie had previously worked as a trauma surgeon in conflict zones, including in South Sudan during its civil war.
Greater Manchester Police publicly recognized Daulby’s courage, saying he died while keeping the attacker from breaking through the shul’s entrance.
Initially, police had only acknowledged that a worshipper was killed by friendly fire, but later statements identified Daulby by name.
“Adrian was one of the brave worshippers attending the synagogue at the time of the incident and prevented the attacker from gaining access to the premises,” police said. “It is currently believed that Adrian’s injury may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by our officers to bring a vicious attack to an end.”
His family later said he “was a hero and tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others.”
“He was a beloved brother, loving uncle to his four nieces and one nephew and a cherished cousin. The family is shocked by the tragic, sudden death of such a lovely down to earth man.
“His final act was one of profound courage and he will forever be remembered for his heroic act,” their statement read.
Alan Levy, who heads the Heaton Park Congregation’s board of trustees, told ITV News that he and Daulby were among those who held the doors shut to keep the attacker out.
Levy said he heard the terrorist shout, “This is what they get for killing our children” while attempting to break down the entrance.
Shamie was armed with “a big knife, banging his knife into the glass, trying to get through” the door, Levy recalled.
“Our children aren’t safe in schools; we have to have guards. Our people are not safe at the synagogue going to pray on the holiest day of our year,” he said. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the local community, Jewish and non-Jewish, who’ve offered help and support to us in this time.”
Levy added that after the attack, “We carried on our service at the police station when we went to give our statements.”
“We will be carrying on our services at another venue, and we’re going to carry on,” he said. “We’re going to be strong, and we’re not going to let this defeat us in any way.”
Rabbi Daniel Walker, the rov of the shul who also helped block the entrance, described the scene to ITV: “Half an hour into the prayers, I heard an almighty bang from outside, shouting. Someone was trying to get in with a knife.”
“When he tried to get inside the synagogue, there was a large number of us trying to hold him off,” Rabbi Walker said.
The rov explained that Shamie shouted threats as he fought to get inside, where the tzibbur was gathered for Yom Kippur tefillos.
The attempt was unsuccessful thanks to “the very, very brave men, security guard and volunteer [who] stopped him and blocked him literally with their bodies and are still in hospital,” Rabbi Walker said.
{Matzav.com}
Hamas announced on Friday that it is prepared to release all hostages and re-engage in talks, framing the move as part of a broader effort to secure a lasting ceasefire.
The organization stated that it would hand over all captives, both alive and deceased, “according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, provided that field conditions necessary for the exchange are secured.”
Earlier in the day, Hamas delivered its official reply to U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan designed to bring the Gaza conflict to an end.
As part of its reply, Hamas also confirmed its willingness to allow control of Gaza to be transferred to a Palestinian governing entity formed by independent, unaffiliated figures, “based on Palestinian national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support.”
Hamas Response: Summary:
We appreciate President Trump’s efforts to bring an end to the war
We agree to release all the hostages in order to achieve a permanent ceasefire
We are ready to enter immediately into negotiations to discuss the details
We agree to hand over administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independent/unaffiliated figures
Full Response by Hamas:
“After a comprehensive study, the movement made its decision and submitted the following response to the mediators:
“Hamas, appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of US President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, an exchange of prisoners, the immediate entry of aid, the rejection of the occupation of the Strip, and the rejection of the displacement of our Palestinian people from it.
“Within this framework, and in a manner that achieves an end to the war and a complete withdrawal from the Strip, the movement announces its agreement to release all living and dead prisoners of the occupation, according to the exchange formula included in President Trump’s proposal, and with the provision of field conditions for the exchange process.
“In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this. The movement also renews its agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats), based on Palestinian national consensus and based on Arab and Islamic support.
“The other issues mentioned in President Trump’s proposal related to the future of the Gaza Strip and the inherent rights of the Palestinian people are linked to a comprehensive national position and based on relevant international laws and resolutions, and are discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework, of which Hamas will be a part.”
{Matzav.com}
On the third day of the federal shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota told reporters they saw little chance of Democrats moving quickly to reopen the government.
“There is united support, with House Republicans, Senate Republicans, a few Senate Democrats, [President Donald Trump], for keeping or opening the government back up, and right now, it’s being blocked by the Senate Democrats,” Thune said at the press conference.
“There’s nothing to be gained at this point by negotiating something,” he continued. “There’s nothing to negotiate. This is a straightforward, simple solution to keep the government open.”
Both Republican leaders laid the blame squarely on Democrats, saying the minority in the Senate—led by Chuck Schumer of New York—was obstructing a straightforward spending bill in order to push a political agenda.
Johnson argued that the Democratic measure would undo Republican Medicaid changes from 2021 that struck ineligible recipients, including around 1.4 million illegal immigrants, from the rolls.
“They want to give those resources back to illegal aliens,” Johnson said. “That’s exactly what that highlighted language means … it’s $192.8 billion of your hard-earned taxpayer dollars that Chuck Schumer and the Democrats want to give back to illegal aliens. That’s a fact, and nobody can refute it.”
He pointed out that in September the House already approved a 24-page continuing resolution to fund the government temporarily while further negotiations took place.
“We did the commonsense thing, the right thing, the just thing,” Johnson said. “President Donald Trump signed that into law, … Suddenly, Democrats won’t do it. So everybody has to ask themselves why.”
Johnson also accused Schumer of playing politics, suggesting his actions were designed to shield himself from pressure on his left flank in New York.
“They’re playing political games,” Johnson said. “We’re operating in good faith, and we’re trying to get the Democrats to do their job, and they won’t.”
Thune noted that the shutdown gave Trump’s administration the power to set spending priorities—an authority Democrats had resisted in the past. “We think the federal government is too big. It does too many things, and it does almost nothing well,” he remarked.
Both Johnson and Thune called on Democrats to allow the government to reopen without further delay.
“Please open the government, so we can do that work. … They’ve stopped our ability to do that with these political antics, and we hope it ends,” Johnson said.
{Matzav.com}
ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר ערב ומוצאי יום כיפור אצל הגרמ”צ ברגמןצילום: שוקי לרר
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt repeated on Friday that President Donald Trump has set a firm ultimatum for Hamas to sign onto his peace initiative for Gaza by Sunday, cautioning the group that refusing will bring “very grave” repercussions.
“Right now, the president has made it very clear to Hamas that this is an acceptable and detailed proposal that they must accept, or the consequences are going to be very grave for them. And he has given them a deadline of Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. When I was out here on Wednesday, I told all of you, I’ll leave it to the president to make that red line, and he now has,” Leavitt said to reporters during the briefing.
“I think the entire world should hear the President of the United States loud and clear. And Hamas has an opportunity to accept this plan and to move forward in a peaceful and prosperous manner in the region. And if they don’t, the consequences, unfortunately, are going to be very tragic,” she continued.
Her remarks followed Trump’s own warning on Truth Social earlier that same day.
“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time,” Trump posted. “Every Country has signed on! If this last chance agreement is not reached, all hell, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. There will be peace in the Middle East one way or the other.”
On Tuesday, CBS News noted that Hamas appeared to be leaning toward agreeing to Trump’s proposal to halt the conflict.
Yet by Wednesday, a Hamas official told the BBC that the group was more likely to reject the plan, saying it “serves Israel’s interests” and “ignores those of the Palestinian people.”
The following day, the BBC reported that Qatar and Egypt had reached out to Hamas’ Gaza-based military commander, Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, who openly stated that he opposed Trump’s initiative.
According to that account, al-Haddad is convinced the American framework is designed to dismantle Hamas’ control regardless of their decision, and for that reason he sees no benefit in accepting it and believes the group must press on with its fight.
{Matzav.com}
Henri Hamra, the son of Rabbi Yosef Hamra, who once served as Syria’s Chief Rabbi, has officially declared his candidacy for a seat in the Syrian parliament in Damascus, Kan News reported.
The vote is set for this coming Sunday, and his entry into the race has stirred considerable discussion across Arab social media platforms.
In his campaign message, Hamra lists his priorities as reinforcing a sense of Syrian national identity, supporting the rebuilding of the country, pushing for economic advancement, and creating a constitutional government grounded in social justice.
He further emphasizes protecting Syria’s historic and cultural legacy, while also encouraging stronger connections with Syrians who are living outside the country.
Hamra and his father moved from Syria to the United States during the 1990s. In recent months, he has returned under the current government, seeking to play a role in reviving and supporting the Jewish community still present there.
Another central point in his agenda is the call to articulate a vision for a “New Syria,” one that combines cultural continuity with economic growth in order to strengthen both society and the state.
{Matzav.com}
Lieutenant Dean Elsdunne, the international spokesperson for the Israel Police, uploaded a video to social media showing himself boarding one of the large ships involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla headed toward Gaza, which Israeli forces intercepted on Yom Kippur.
In the footage, Elsdunne appears inside a bare room on the vessel and points out that it carried no humanitarian supplies, contradicting what activists had claimed about their intentions.
“I’m inside one of the vessels, one of the largest vessels to come in this Yom Kippur flotilla. and while we’re processing this boat, there’s one thing missing, guys: All this aid that they were supposed to bring into Gaza,” he states in the video.
He went on to explain that the organizers had been given alternatives to deliver assistance properly but refused them. “When we and multiple other countries offered them to take this aid and bring it to the Gazans, we could facilitate its safe arrival, they flat out rejected it. And now we know why, because it was never about bringing aid to Gazans, but it was all about the headlines and the social media followings,” Elsdunne added.
On Friday morning, Israel’s Shayetet 13 naval commando unit seized control of the final ship still participating in the flotilla effort.
Among those taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla was climate activist Greta Thunberg, who had previously been expelled from Israel in June after she joined another flotilla, the Madleen.
{Matzav.com}
Freed Hamas hostage Keith Siegel joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss President Donald Trump’s imposed deadline on Hamas to release every hostage and to advocate for the lives of the remaining hostages.
WATCH:
