Hamas, Israel blame each other for ceasefire delay

Both Hamas and Israel issued a statement on Wednesday, trading blame over failure to conclude a ceasefire agreement despite the progress reported by both sides over the past days.

With the mediation of Qatar and Egypt, the negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a deal to exchange hostages are underway in Doha, the capital city and main financial hub of Qatar.

The warring parties have accused each other of obstructing the ceasefire agreement.

In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said that the ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations are proceeding in Doha with Qatari and Egyptian mediation in a serious manner, and that it has shown responsibility and flexibility.

But Israel has set new conditions related to its withdrawal from Gaza, a ceasefire, a prisoner-hostage exchange, and the return of the displaced Palestinians, which have delayed the conclusion of an agreement that was available, Hamas said Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement, saying that "the terrorist organization Hamas is lying again, reneging on understandings already reached, and continuing to create difficulties for the negotiations. Notwithstanding this, Israel will continue tirelessly in its efforts to return all of our hostages."

The blame trading follows a series of positive signs in the ceasefire talks between the two sides.

If Israel did not set new conditions, the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement was higher than ever before, Hamas said in a statement on Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Knesset, the parliament, on Monday that the peace talks between the two parties had made some progress.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,361, with 107,803 others injured, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Wednesday.

Hamas, Israel blame each other for ceasefire delay

Hamas, Israel blame each other for ceasefire delay

Hamas, Israel blame each other for ceasefire delay

Recovery efforts are underway in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu following a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck last week, causing extensive damage in the capital, Port Vila.

With many businesses closed and a tourism-dependent economy at risk, officials are working diligently to address the fallout from this natural disaster. The World Bank has fast-tracked 12 million U.S. dollars to support cleanup efforts.

General manager Anita Ambong of the Moorings Hotel was on-site when the earthquake hit.

"I knew it was bad and I just shouted to all the staff and the guests that were here, 'Up the hill, up the hill!' because after this I knew there would be a tsunami warning or something," she recalled.

Fortunately, none of her staff were injured, and the hotel sustained only minor damage.

However, the hotel has not escaped the broader impact on business during one of its peak seasons. The road leading to the hotel remains closed, leading to canceled reservations.

"Tourism to Vanuatu is very important; it is one of the most important resources that brings more of Vanuatu's income, and most of us we rely on that," Ambong said.

The disruption to tourism and trade in the heart of Port Vila was immediate and severe. The country, already coping with the aftermath of three cyclones last year, now faces the potential for long-term economic challenges. Some businesses may never recover from the latest disaster.

Choi Euncheon, who owns an auto repair shop affected by landslides, expressed concern over the future of his business. His store is closed, and he has no idea for how long. For him, that's a lot of money lost.

"Big money, big problem now," he said.

As Vanuatu focuses on the immediate needs of approximately 80,000 people directly affected by the earthquake, the challenges ahead are daunting.

"I'm worried at the moment about high unemployment, high inflation, because of limited supplies that will be happening, so this is going to be a big issue," said Dickinson Tevi, secretary general of the Vanuatu Red Cross Society.

Aid workers warn that Vanuatu will require sustained support to recover from this calamity.

Vanuatu struggles to recover after devastating earthquake