The Times of Israel is liveblogging Friday’s events as they happen.
Trump: ‘Hopefully’ Israel’s Doha strike didn’t impact efforts to free the hostages
US President Donald Trump says “hopefully” Israel’s strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar won’t impact efforts to secure the release of the hostages.
An Arab diplomat involved in mediation efforts told The Times of Israel earlier Thursday that all mediation efforts have halted since the strike.
“We want the hostages out, and we want them out soon. Hopefully [the strike won’t affect them],” Trump tells reporters outside the White House.
At UN, Israel vows ‘no sanctuary for terrorists’ after Security Council slams Doha strike
Defending the Doha strike targeting Hamas chiefs, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon says the attack “sends a message that should echo across this chamber.”
“There is no sanctuary for terrorists, not in Gaza, not in Tehran, not in Doha. There is no immunity for terrorists,” Danon tells the Security Council. “We will act against the leaders of terror wherever they are hiding.”
His comments come after the Security Council issued a rare joint statement condemning the strike in Doha, though it didn’t mention Israel by name.
Israel-Premier Tech to abbreviate name at Canadian cycling races after disruptions in Spain
Cycling team Israel-Premier Tech will abbreviate their name to IPT for races in Canada this week in attempt to avoid incidents caused by protestors, organizers say.
The general manager of Friday’s Quebec GP and Sunday’s event in Montreal, Joseph Limare, says the full name will not appear on riders’ jersey.
“They asked us to get rid of the word ‘Israel’ from what we could,” Limare says.
Pro-Palestinian protesters have forced the routes of numerous stages of the ongoing Vuelta a Espana to be shortened or changed.
Canadian media reports that protests are expected at the upcoming races.
At UN Security Council, Qatar accuses Israel of trying to derail Gaza truce efforts
UNITED NATIONS — Qatar accuses Israel at the United Nations of trying to derail efforts to end the war in Gaza by attacking Hamas leaders in Doha, but pledges to continue its mediation.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani tells the 15-member body that Israeli leaders had shown no regard for the lives of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.