Gaza - Washington: Europe and the Arabs
US President Donald Trump stated that he expects a "good and final end" to the war in Gaza within two to three weeks. He added that intensive diplomatic efforts are underway, with the United States and Israel intensifying pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and accept a ceasefire. According to Belgian media reports in Brussels on Tuesday morning, Trump made his statement during a press conference at the White House, where he discussed the situation in Gaza and the role of the United States in the negotiations. He did not provide details on the basis of his expectations, but emphasized that "the situation must end." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the war can only end "without Hamas."
Israel has not yet officially commented on the ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas last week. Reports have indicated that Prime Minister Netanyahu has begun negotiations on a possible deal that includes a hostage exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Separately, and in the same context, Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, announced on Monday that it had sold its stake in the US construction equipment company Caterpillar. According to the fund, Israeli authorities are using Caterpillar bulldozers in the widespread and unlawful destruction of Palestinian property in Gaza and the West Bank.
The decision followed a recommendation from the fund's Ethics Board, which concluded that the company had failed to take measures to prevent such use. Caterpillar has yet to comment on these allegations.
The fund, funded by Norwegian oil and gas revenues, manages nearly $2 trillion and holds stakes in more than 8,600 companies worldwide. It was among Caterpillar's top ten shareholders, owning 1.2% of the company's shares, worth approximately $2.4 billion.
The fund also announced its withdrawal from five Israeli banks allegedly involved in financing settlements in the occupied West Bank. In early August, the fund ended its investments in eleven Israeli companies due to their involvement in the war on Gaza.
This came as UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the killing of Palestinians yesterday in an Israeli airstrike that hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip. The Secretary-General's spokesman said that, in addition to civilians, those killed included health workers and journalists.
"These latest horrific killings highlight the grave risks faced by medical personnel and journalists while carrying out their vital work in the midst of this brutal conflict," UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said at the daily press briefing.
He added that the Secretary-General recalls the need to respect and protect civilians, including medical personnel and journalists, at all times and calls for a prompt and impartial investigation into these killings.
Guterres reiterated the need for medical personnel and journalists to be able to perform their essential duties without interference, intimidation, or harm, in full accordance with international humanitarian law.
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access throughout Gaza, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. "Silencing Voices"
The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) commented on the killing of more journalists in Gaza, saying it was "the silencing of the last remaining voices reporting the silent deaths of children amid famine." According to the UN's daily news bulletin, Lazzarini said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that "the world's indifference and inaction are shocking."
He cited the late German-American historian Hannah Arendt's statement that "the death of human compassion is one of the first and most striking signs of a culture on the verge of savagery," adding: "This cannot be our new norm in the future. Compassion must prevail."
He called for an end to the man-made famine by opening doors without restrictions and protecting journalists, humanitarian workers, and health workers.
Lazzarini said: "The time for political will has come. Not tomorrow, but now." "Stop the fire now."
For his part, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the organization had received reports of two attacks on the Nasser Medical Complex on Monday morning, killing at least 20 people, including four health workers and five journalists.
He added in a post on the X platform that 50 other people were injured, including critically ill patients already receiving medical care.
Dr. Tedros said that the main building of the hospital, which houses the emergency department, inpatient ward, and surgical unit, was bombed, adding that the strike damaged the emergency stairwell.
He warned that while Gazans are suffering from hunger, their already limited access to healthcare is becoming increasingly difficult due to repeated attacks.
The UN official said: "We can only say this: Stop the attacks on healthcare. Stop the fire now."
Hunger among children is worsening.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that ongoing airstrikes and hostilities, including attacks on health care, are causing more casualties and damaging or destroying vital civilian infrastructure.
It said that with famine conditions now confirmed in Gaza Governorate, hunger and malnutrition are worsening among children.