Amna Nawaz:
In Kyiv, residents expressed fear and disappointment after the American announcement. Ukrainian leaders said they would push forward with plans to jointly produce weapons with European allies. Moscow has welcomed the news, saying less military aid to Ukraine would bring the end of the war sooner.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to press Ukraine on the battlefield, among a number of strikes, an overnight attack on the southern city of Kherson damaged a hospital and wounded nine people.
In the Middle East, both Israel and Hamas have stopped short of accepting a 60-day cease-fire proposal put forth by President Trump. But a top Israeli official says they are — quote — “serious” about reaching a deal. Still, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today doubled down on his vow to — quote — “eliminate Hamas.” That was after Trump said Israel had agreed to the terms of the deal.
For its part, Hamas insisted that any deal must bring a complete end to the war in Gaza, where scores of Palestinians, most of them civilians, have died in recent days from Israeli strikes.
Majed Abu Rizk, Displaced Palestinian in Gaza (through interpreter): Every time they say the war is ending, the war is ending, they kill us, the death toll rises, and we lose more of our loved ones, our brothers, our cousins. If they wanted to end the war, it would have ended a long time ago. This war will not end, but it is the war that will end us.
