The Times of Israel is liveblogging Saturday’s events as they happen.
Trump vows ‘intense’ talks to continue until deal reached to free hostages, end Gaza war
After declaring a Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal was “very close,” US President Donald Trump writes on his Truth Social app that he’s “pleased to report that we are having very inspired and productive discussions with the Middle Eastern Community concerning Gaza.”
“Intense negotiations have been going on for four days, and will continue for as long as necessary in order to get a Successfully Completed Agreement. All of the Countries within the Region are involved, Hamas is very much aware of these discussions, and Israel has been informed at all levels, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu,” he says, referring to the premier by his nickname.
Trump adds: “There is more Goodwill and Enthusiasm for getting a Deal done, after so many decades, than I have ever seen before. Everyone is excited to put this period of Death and Darkness behind them. It is an Honor to be a part of this Negotiation. We must get the Hostages back, and get a PERMANENT AND LONGLASTING PEACE!”
Emirati FM to warn Netanyahu that annexation could endanger Abraham Accords — report
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will warn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Abraham Accords could be harmed if Israel annexes any parts of the West Bank, Channel 12 news reports ahead of their expected meeting in New York on Friday evening.
An Emirati source tells the network that bin Zayed will tell Netanyahu that Abu Dhabi sees the Abraham Accords “as a cornerstone for a better future in the region… and at the same time will stress the United Arab Emirates’ deep concern about recent developments, particularly actions that endanger the chances of the two-state solution.”
“He will warn again danger steps, such as the callous attack on Qatar and annexation in the West Bank, which could endanger this historic accomplishment,” the source adds.
The source also says the UAE’s top diplomat is expected to update the premier on US President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the Gaza war and freeing the hostages.
IAEA says it resumed nuclear inspections in Iran, doesn’t disclose which sites were visited
UN nuclear watchdog IAEA says it has resumed inspections in Iran this week following a hiatus in the wake of US and Israeli attacks on Tehran’s atomic facilities.
“Inspections are… confidential and we cannot confirm their location but we can confirm that inspections have taken place this week,” it says in a statement.
Pezeshkian says Iran won’t leave non-proliferation pact as UN sanctions set to return
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says that his country will not leave the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty even if UN sanctions come back into force as expected this weekend.
“We do not intend to leave the NPT,” Pezeshkian tells reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, warning that foreign powers were seeking “a superficial pretext to set the region ablaze.”
Pezeshkian also says that US President Donald Trump’s administration did not show sincerity in nuclear talks, including negotiations before an Israeli strike.
“The wall of mistrust between us and the Americans is quite high. We came to understandings a number of times but they were never taken seriously by the Americans,” he adds.
Russia meanwhile declares there will be “no snapback” of UN sanctions on Iran even after the failure by Moscow and Beijing at the Security Council to stave off the measures.
“There has been no snapback and there will be no snapback — any moves to resuscitate anti-Iranian Security Council resolutions, which were in effect prior to 2015, are null and void,” Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky says.