International
Biden asks Netayahu to send team to Washington for talks on Rafah
Biden asks Netayahu to send team to Washington for talks on Rafah
U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said Monday that President Joe Biden has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a telephone call to send a team of representatives from the military, intelligence services and humanitarian aid specialists to Washington in the coming days.
Biden wants to explain his government’s reservations about the planned offensive in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip and discuss possible alternatives.
Netanyahu agreed to send such a team.
“We have every expectation that they’re not going to proceed with a major military operation in Rafah until we have that conversation,” Sullivan said, referring to the Israelis.
A meeting is planned for the end of this week or the beginning of next week, but a specific date has not yet been set.
Sullivan said a major Israeli offensive in Rafah would be a mistake, but that Hamas should not use the city or anywhere else as a safe haven.
The national security adviser rejected reports that the tone between Biden and Netanyahu was tense and that the phone call ended abruptly. The conversation was “business-like,” he said.
Meanwhile, David Barnea, the head of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, met with mediators in Qatar, Israeli TV station N12 reported.
The Israeli security cabinet had authorized the departure of a delegation led by Barnea to the Gulf state late on Sunday evening.
Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are attempting to make progress in the recently stalled talks on a temporary ceasefire and an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas recently submitted a new proposal to the mediators.
In it, Hamas no longer demands that Israel end the war before the first hostages are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
According to the proposal, Hamas would only make a non-temporary cessation of hostilities by Israel a prerequisite for a second phase of hostage releases.
This means that Hamas has come closer to the contents of a multi-stage plan that the mediators had presented several weeks ago and which Israel had accepted.
Now that Hamas has made some progress, Israel is prepared to take part in the indirect mediation talks in Qatar for the first time in a fortnight. Israeli television reported that the talks are expected to last at least two weeks.
On the ground in Gaza, Israel concentrated its military activities on Monday on al-Shifa Hospital, where it said it had killed a senior official of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which was behind the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.
The man was Faik al-Mabhouh, head of Hamas’ internal security department, which is also responsible for operational missions, according to a joint statement by the military and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service.
Al-Mabhouh was also “responsible for coordinating Hamas terror activities in the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.
Hamas initially gave no official confirmation of al-Mabhouh’s death.
Al-Mabhouh was killed after intelligence information was received about the presence of senior Hamas members in the al-Shifa hospital, the army said.
He had been hiding armed in a building of the hospital complex and was killed in a confrontation with the troops, the statement said.
Several weapons were found in the room next to his hiding place.
Eyewitnesses reported heavy gunfire inside the hospital. There were reports that a journalist from Arabic broadcaster Al-Jazeera was among dozens of people detained in the hospital.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a briefing on Monday evening that “we apprehended over two hundred terror suspects who are currently under investigation, eliminated more than twenty terrorists within the hospital area.”
Hagari added that IDF forces would “continue to operate in the hospital area tonight.”
According to reports from Gaza, the man killed was a brother of Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, who was murdered in Dubai in 2010. At the time, Dubai police accused the Israeli foreign intelligence service Mossad of being behind the crime.
One accusation against Mahmud al-Mabhouh was that he had procured weapons for Hamas.
The case caused quite a stir internationally.
Prior to the operation, the IDF urged Palestinians sheltering in Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital to leave the conflict zone.
“You should leave the area to the west immediately to ensure your safety and then … to the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi,” an IDF spokesman wrote in Arabic on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday morning.
He was referring to a town on the coast of the Gaza Strip in the far south. The IDF also dropped flyers.
Hagari in the morning had said that the operation followed “concrete intelligence that demanded immediate action.”
The military said it would “continue to act in accordance with international law and against the Hamas terrorist organisation – which operates from hospitals and civilian infrastructure in a systematic and cynical way.”
The U.S. government had also supported the Israeli claim that Hamas had used the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip as a command centre and weapons depot.
Biden asks Netayahu to send team to Washington for talks on Rafah
Nigeria, Russia to deepen military, technical cooperation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Russian Federation has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening defence and military-technical cooperation with Nigeria as part of efforts to promote peace, sovereignty and stability across the African continent.
Speaking at a bilateral meeting with Nigerian Defense Chief, General Christopher Musa and other officials, a Russian envoy described Nigeria as a strategic and promising partner, noting its position as the most populous country in Africa and a key regional player.
“We consider the Federal Republic of Nigeria a promising partner on the African continent. You are the largest country, and we support the efforts of the Nigerian authorities to strengthen national armed forces to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and ensure regional security,” the envoy said.
He expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s willingness to pursue constructive cooperation with Russia in the areas of military and defence technology.
“We positively assess your commitment to fruitful cooperation with our country in military and military-technical spheres,” he added.
The Russian official called for an open discussion on current defence priorities, pledging continued support to Nigeria and other African partners.
In his response, Gen Musa, appreciated them for their support and commitment to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and for inviting him and his for the 80th victory parade.
He also appreciated them for the donation of weapons and drones to boost the campaign against terrorism within Nigeria and the Sahel Region
“Today, we discuss the most relevant issues of cooperation between our defence ministries. We value our friendship with Russia and deeply appreciate all the assistance Russia has provided assistance that has often been critical for many countries,” he said.
He praised Russia’s reliability and action-oriented diplomacy, saying, “You don’t just make promises, you fulfil them. Everyone knows Russia works for the good of peace and stability.”said General Musa.
The meeting, attended by top defence officials from both countries, is expected to yield agreements that will boost training, logistics, arms supply and intelligence-sharing in the fight against terrorism.
Nigeria, Russia to deepen military, technical cooperation
Nigeria Congratulates Germany on Election of New Chancellor
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has extended its warm congratulations to Germany on the successful election of Friedrich Merz as the new Chancellor. The Conservative Leader
won with 325 votes in the 630-Seat Bundestag on Tuesday, 6th May, 2025.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa read: “Nigeria commends Germany’s strong democratic traditions and values, which have once again been demonstrated through a peaceful and transparent electoral process. We are confident that under Friedrich Merz’s leadership, Germany will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing global peace, stability, and prosperity.
“As longstanding partners, Nigeria looks forward to deepening bilateral relations with Germany in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, security, and sustainable development. We also reaffirm our commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and other international fora.
“The Nigerian government and people wish the new Chancellor a successful tenure and express our readiness to work closely with Germany for the benefit of both nations and the global community.”
Nigeria Congratulates Germany on Election of New Chancellor
Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who died on Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88 years.
The departed Holy Father, the political head of Vatican City and the head of the Catholic Church, was described in the statement as a global moral leader whose papacy was marked by humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to peace, social justice, and the dignity of all people.
The statement read: “Nigeria commiserates with the teaming population of the catholic church in the country and joins the international community, particularly the Catholic faithful worldwide, in mourning this immense loss. Pope Francis’ deep concern for the marginalized; including refugees, the poor, and victims of conflict, resonated strongly in Nigeria, where his calls for interreligious harmony and solidarity were a beacon of hope amid challenges.
“His historic 2022 apology for the Church’s role in colonial injustices, including the suffering of Indigenous peoples, indeed set a powerful example of reconciliation. Also worthy of commendation is his advocacy for peace in Africa, and other conflict areas in the world, reflecting his universal pastoral mission.”
The statement further read that: “In this moment of grief, therefore, Nigeria extends heartfelt condolences to the Vatican, the Catholic Church, and the Argentine people, who gifted the world this extraordinary pontiff.
“We pray for the repose of his soul and trust that his legacy of mercy, dialogue, and care for our common home will endure.”
Nigeria Commiserates with Catholic Church Over Demise of Pope Francis
Boko Haram terrorists kill 3 Civilian JTF members in adamawa village
Borno police recover AK-47 rifle during operation to retrieve rustled sheep in Konduga
kidnap victim rescued in jigawa, five suspects killed, five arrested
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics9 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
