United News of Bangladesh

Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have been engaged in over a week of fierce border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday. It marks the worst confrontation between the two neighbours in years. According to a Qatari statement, both sides also agreed to form mechanisms to promote lasting peace and stability and will hold follow-up talks in the coming days to ensure the truce endures. The negotiations were mediated by Qatar and Turkey. Tensions flared earlier this month, with each country accusing the other of cross-border aggression. Afghanistan has rejected Pakistan’s claim that it shelters militants who stage attacks along the frontier. Pakistan has been facing a growing wave of militancy since 2021, when the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. The recent fighting raised fears of further instability in a region where extremist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida have been attempting to reemerge. A temporary 48-hour ceasefire expired Friday evening, and hours later Pakistan launched strikes across the border. Afghan, Pakistani officials meet in Doha to address border violence Pakistani security officials told the Associated Press that the military targeted militant hideouts in two districts of Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, identifying them as bases of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. The strikes were described as retaliation for a suicide bombing at a security compound in Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the day before. Officials said the air raids killed dozens of militants without civilian casualties. However, Afghan authorities reported at least 10 civilian deaths, including women, children, and several young cricketers who had been playing nearby. In response, Afghanistan’s cricket board announced a boycott of its upcoming series in Pakistan. The International Cricket Council said it was “saddened and appalled by the tragic deaths of three young and promising Afghan players.” Thousands of people attended funeral prayers for the victims in Paktika on Saturday, where clerics denounced the attacks over loudspeakers. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned what he called Pakistan’s “repeated crimes and violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” describing them as deliberate provocations aimed at prolonging hostilities. The two nations share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) frontier known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized. Pakistan, meanwhile, has accused India of supporting armed groups inside its territory — a charge New Delhi denies. Afghan police accuse Pakistan of cross-border strikes after ceasefire ends Addressing cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir urged Afghanistan to choose “mutual security over perpetual violence and progress over hardline obscurantism,” while calling on the Taliban to rein in militants operating from Afghan soil. High-level delegations from both countries took part in the Doha negotiations that led to Sunday’s ceasefire announcement. Source: AP 

Israel has excluded Marwan Barghouti — the most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader — from the roster of prisoners it intends to free under the new Gaza ceasefire deal, officials said Saturday. Jerusalem also rejected other high-profile names long sought by Hamas, though it was not immediately clear whether the list of roughly 250 inmates published Friday is final. Hamas negotiator Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera the group continues to press for Barghouti’s release and remains in talks with mediators. Israel regards Barghouti as a terrorist leader; he is serving multiple life terms after a 2004 conviction over attacks that killed five people. Beyond his convictions, Israeli officials are said to fear Barghouti’s political influence. A longtime Fatah figure who has at times advocated a two-state outcome even while supporting armed resistance to occupation, Barghouti is widely viewed by Palestinians as a consensus leader. Some compare his stature to that of Nelson Mandela. Polls consistently show him as the most popular Palestinian politician and a possible successor to President Mahmoud Abbas. Thousands of Palestinians return to ruins as Gaza ceasefire takes effect Under the ceasefire arrangements that took effect Friday, Hamas is to free roughly 20 living Israeli hostages within days while Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners and roughly 1,700 people seized from Gaza during the past two years and held without charge. The proposed releases carry potent symbolism on both sides: Israelis view many of the detainees as terrorists responsible for deadly attacks, while Palestinians often regard those held by Israel as political prisoners or resistance figures. Most names on Israel’s published list are members of Hamas or Fatah detained in the 2000s and convicted for shootings, bombings and other attacks during the violent years of the Second Intifada. Several of those to be freed will be sent to Gaza or go into exile outside the Palestinian territories, the list shows. Among the prisoners slated for release is Iyad Abu al-Rub, an Islamic Jihad commander convicted over suicide bombings that killed 13 people in 2003–2005. The oldest listed is Samir Abu Naama, 64, a Fatah member arrested in 1986; the youngest is Mohammed Abu Qatish, who was 16 at his arrest in 2022 and convicted of an attempted stabbing. Hamas has repeatedly insisted Barghouti be included in any major exchange. Israel has long resisted such demands, in part because of the precedent of past deals: when senior Hamas figures were freed in earlier swaps, some went on to resume leadership roles in the militant movement. One oft-cited example is Yahya Sinwar, released in 2011 and later a key architect of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Barghouti, 66, hails from the West Bank village of Kobar and rose to prominence as a student activist at Birzeit University. He was active in both the First and Second Intifadas and returned to the West Bank during the 1990s peace process. During the Second Intifada, Israel accused him — then head of Fatah in the West Bank — of leading the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades; he has denied membership in the group but was convicted at trial and given multiple life sentences after refusing to recognise the court’s authority. Trump undergoes checkup at Walter Reed amid Middle East trip plans Throughout his imprisonment, Barghouti has remained a focal point in Palestinian politics. He registered an electoral list in 2021 for postponed parliamentary polls and led a 40-day hunger strike for prisoner rights. Analysts say his appeal crosses factional lines and that his release could strengthen Palestinian institutions — a prospect Israel’s right-wing government and, some analysts argue, President Abbas find threatening. Barghouti was last publicly shown in August when far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted video of an encounter with him in prison, warning that Israel would confront and “wipe out” anyone acting against the state. Source: AP

Hamas announced it is prepared to begin negotiations “immediately” on a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, where over 50 people were reportedly killed in the latest phase of Israel’s offensive, according to the local civil defence agency. Islamic Jihad, a group aligned with Hamas, also voiced support for truce discussions but insisted on “guarantees” to ensure the process results in a lasting ceasefire. The statement followed internal consultations among Palestinian factions and came ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to Washington on Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump has been advocating for an end to the conflict, now in its 21st month. 82 Palestinians killed in Gaza, including 38 people waiting for aid, authorities say Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israel’s military campaign has resulted in at least 57,268 deaths and 135,625 injuries. In contrast, the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel claimed approximately 1,139 lives and led to the capture of over 200 individuals.   Source: with input from Al Jazeera

Many Iranians have expressed hope that the ongoing ceasefire will help restore stability and normalcy after days of heightened tension and uncertainty. Shahrokh Saei, an Iranian journalist speaking to UNB, noted that Iran has indicated it will uphold the ceasefire as long as Israel does the same. He emphasized that the responsibility now lies with both Israel and the United States to maintain the truce. “If Trump wants the ceasefire to endure, he must exercise influence over Israel’s actions,” Saei said in Beijing. Iran says chief military commander dies of injuries from Israeli attack However, he pointed out that Israel has shown reluctance to fully commit, citing previous breaches involving Hamas and Hezbollah. Any renewed Israeli aggression toward Iran would likely provoke a strong retaliation from Tehran. In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), local resident Alireza shared his outlook, saying, “Nobody would be happy to see war between two countries or two individuals. It was a terrible experience. We were in a very bad situation. The war was imposed on our country. But the situation improved as the war continued. Our lives partially returned to normal. I hope the ceasefire will be durable.” He added, “If the ceasefire continues and leads to more strategic agreements, I don’t think Iran will violate it. I hope Israel also remains committed to the ceasefire. We really need peace in the region and agreement among all nations. War is the last thing we need now. The first thing we need is peace.” Trump says US, Iran to talk next week with war over In a social media statement, U.S. President Donald Trump described the ceasefire as an effort to end what he called the “12-day war,” claiming it could have “saved the Middle East from years of destruction,” and later urged Israel not to escalate further. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Tuesday that Iran is ready to resolve issues through international frameworks and negotiations. Chinese premier calls for stronger global economic collaboration According to Iran’s Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, the death toll from Israeli strikes since June 13 has reached 606, with 5,332 injured.  On the Israeli side, the Health Ministry reports 28 fatalities and 3,238 injuries since the conflict began.

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran is ‘now in effect’, US President Donald Trump has announced, urging both nations to honour the agreement. “Please do not violate it!” Trump stated emphatically on Tuesday, following a period of heightened conflict that rattled the region. 3 dead in Iranian missile attack after Trump’s ceasefire announcement The ceasefire, announced by Trump several hours ago, has yet to receive an official response from Israel. Iran, on the other hand, has said it will only halt its attacks if Israel does the same. The fragile truce follows days of cross-border strikes and retaliatory missile launches. Overnight, Israel reported the deaths of four people as a result of attacks launched from Iran. Meanwhile, Tehran-based state media claimed a "last round of missiles" was fired just before the ceasefire came into force. Tehran itself was not spared in the overnight escalation. A reporter on the ground described the situation as harrowing, with residents visibly shaken. “I feel traumatised,” said one local, reflecting the emotional toll of the recent attacks. According to Iranian state media, the ceasefire was "imposed" on Israel following what they described as a "successful" Iranian missile attack on a US base in Qatar on Monday. Iran has framed this action as a direct response to strikes on its nuclear facilities over the weekend. Qatar, which hosts the targeted US base, confirmed that all missiles launched towards it had been intercepted. The situation remains tense despite the ceasefire announcement, with international observers urging restraint from all parties involved. # With inputs from BBC  

Military operations chiefs of India and Pakistan are scheduled to hold talks on Monday to determine the next steps in maintaining peace along their volatile border, as a recently brokered ceasefire holds firm following the fiercest cross-border exchanges in nearly three decades. The scheduled conversation between the director generals of military operations (DGMOs) from both countries is set for 1200 hours (0630 GMT), India’s foreign ministry confirmed on Saturday. The dialogue comes after a fragile calm returned to the border area, which had been rocked by intense shelling and firing for four consecutive days. Sunday night passed without reports of explosions or projectile fire, marking the first peaceful night in several days, according to the Indian Army. Nevertheless, security concerns persist, with some schools in the region remaining closed as a precautionary measure. The ceasefire, announced on Saturday, came after mounting diplomatic pressure led by U.S. President Donald Trump. Washington played a critical role in facilitating the pause in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Despite the relative calm, tensions linger. On Sunday, India’s military reportedly sent a message via the established hotline to Pakistan, raising concerns about ceasefire violations observed the previous day. A senior Indian Army officer warned that any further provocations would be met with a response. Trump poised to accept luxury jet from Qatar’s Royal family, may be used as Air Force One Pakistan’s military, however, denied any breach of the ceasefire agreement. The Himalayan region, where the border clashes occurred, has long been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, both of whom claim it in full but govern separate parts. While previous ceasefires have been declared, few have lasted long without violations. Monday’s DGMO-level dialogue is seen as a crucial test of both sides’ willingness to de-escalate tensions and return to sustained peace. Source: With inputs from agencies   

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged global leaders to maintain pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to support a ceasefire in Ukraine. US resumes military aid as Ukraine signals ceasefire possibility Speaking on Saturday at the opening of a virtual meeting of what he calls the “coalition of the willing,” Starmer stated that Putin will “sooner or later” have to “come to the table.” Ukraine says it is open to a 30-day ceasefire; US resumes military aid and intelligence sharing The discussion is set to explore ways countries can provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine while also assessing support for any potential future peacekeeping mission.

The Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, and Kyiv signaled that it was open to a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Russia, pending Moscow’s agreement, American and Ukrainian officials said Tuesday following talks in Saudi Arabia. The administration's decision marked a sharp shift from only a week ago, when it imposed the measures in an apparent effort to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to enter talks to end the war with invading Russian forces. The suspension of U.S. assistance came days after Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump argued about the conflict in a tense White House meeting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the U.S. delegation to the talks in Jeddah, said Washington would present the ceasefire offer to the Kremlin, which has so far opposed anything short of a permanent end to the conflict without accepting any concessions. “We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no," Rubio told reporters after the talks. “If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.” Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, added: "The Ukrainian delegation today made something very clear, that they share President Trump’s vision for peace.” Tuesday's discussions, which lasted for nearly eight hours, appeared to put to rest — for the moment at least — the animosity between Trump and Zelenskyy that erupted during the Oval Office meeting last month. Ukraine-US talks begin in KSA amid ongoing conflict Waltz said the negotiators “got into substantive details on how this war is going to permanently end,” including long-term security guarantees. And, he said, Trump agreed to immediately lift the pause in the supply of billions of dollars of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing. Seeking a deal with Russia Trump said he hoped that an agreement could be solidified “over the next few days.” “I’ve been saying that Russia’s been easier to deal with so far than Ukraine, which is not supposed to be the way it is," Trump said later Tuesday. "But it is, and we hope to get Russia. But we have a full ceasefire from Ukraine. That’s good.” The Kremlin had no immediate comment on the U.S. and Ukrainian statements. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said only that negotiations with U.S. officials could take place this week. Trump 's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel later this week to Moscow, where he could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a person familiar with the matter but not authorized to comment publicly. The person cautioned that scheduling could change. Officials met in Saudi Arabia only hours after Russia shot down over 300 Ukrainian drones in Ukraine’s biggest attack since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion. Neither U.S. nor Ukrainian officials offered any comment on the barrage. Russia also launched 126 drones and a ballistic missile at Ukraine, the Ukrainian air force said, as part of Moscow’s relentless pounding of civilian areas. Zelenskyy renews calls for lasting peace In an address posted shortly after Tuesday's talks ended, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to a lasting peace, emphasizing that the country has sought an end to the war since its outset. “Our position is absolutely clear: Ukraine has strived for peace from the very first second of this war, and we want to do everything possible to achieve it as soon as possible — securely and in a way that ensures war does not return,” Zelenskyy said. Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak, who led the Ukrainian delegation, described the negotiations as positive. He said the two countries “share the same vision, and that we are moving in the same direction toward the just peace long awaited by all Ukrainians.” In Kyiv, Lena Herasymenko, a psychologist, accepts that compromises will be necessary to end the war, but she said they must be “reasonable.” Moscow faces ‘massive’ drone attack ahead of US-Ukraine peace talks “We had massive losses during this war, and we don’t know yet how much more we’ll have,” she told The Associated Press. “We are suffering every day. Our kids are suffering, and we don’t know how the future generation will be affected.” Oleksandr, a Ukrainian soldier who could give only his first name because of security restrictions, warned that Ukraine cannot let down its guard. “If there is a ceasefire, it would only give Russia time to increase its firepower, manpower, missiles and other arms. Then they would attack Ukraine again,” he said. Hawkish Russians push back against a ceasefire In Moscow, hawkish politicians and military bloggers spoke strongly against a prospective ceasefire, arguing that it would play into Kyiv’s hands and damage Moscow’s interests at a time when the Russian military has the advantage. “A ceasefire isn’t what we need,” wrote hardline ideologue Alexander Dugin. Viktor Sobolev, a retired general who is a member of the Russian parliament’s lower house, warned that a 30-day truce would allow Ukraine to beef up arms supplies and regroup its troops before resuming hostilities. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political commentator, suggested that Moscow could demand a halt on Western arms supplies to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire. “An embargo on arms supplies to Ukraine could be a condition for a truce,” he wrote. The Kremlin sticks to its conditions for peace Russia has not publicly offered any concessions. Putin has repeatedly declared that Moscow wants a comprehensive settlement, not a temporary truce. Russia has said it’s ready to cease hostilities on the condition that Ukraine drops its bid to join NATO and recognizes regions that Moscow occupies as Russian. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine's territory. What to know ahead of the talks between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia Russian forces have held the battlefield momentum for more than a year, though at a high cost in infantry and armor, and are pushing at selected points along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, especially in the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine has invested heavily in developing its arms industry, especially high-tech drones that have reached deep into Russia.

Israel has introduced a new ceasefire proposal this week, distinct from the one agreed upon in January, and is trying to force Hamas to accept it through a siege on Gaza, reports AP. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to this plan as the “Witkoff proposal,” claiming it was drafted by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. However, the White House has not confirmed this, simply stating its support for Israel's actions. Palestinians hope Oscar-winning ‘No Other Land’ brings global support The new plan calls for Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages, which are key to the group's leverage, in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire and negotiations towards a long-term peace deal. There is no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners, a part of the original agreement. Hamas has accused Israel of undermining the current ceasefire deal, which stipulates the return of all hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli pullout from Gaza, and a lasting ceasefire. However, no substantive talks have occurred. On Sunday, Israel halted all humanitarian supplies to Gaza and warned of further consequences if Hamas does not accept the new plan. Meanwhile, Arab leaders are working on an alternative vision for Gaza's future, countering Trump's proposal to relocate its population and turn it into a tourist destination. The original ceasefire agreement, reached in January, outlined a three-phase plan to secure the return of hostages and end the war that began with Hamas’ October 2023 attack. While Phase 1 led to the release of several hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Phase 2 is more complex, as it would require Israel to balance its goal of securing the hostages’ return with the destruction of Hamas. Hamas has stated it will only release the remaining hostages if the war ends, leaving it in control of Gaza. The new plan would require Hamas to release half of the 59 remaining hostages on day one, without any immediate reciprocal actions from Israel. This would weaken Hamas’ position, and the U.S. and Israel have already mentioned new demands, such as the disarmament of Hamas or the exile of its leadership, which were not part of the original agreement. For Netanyahu, this new plan offers a six-week window, crucial for passing a budget and avoiding early elections, which could see him ousted from power. Opposition parties have indicated they will not push for Netanyahu's removal over a deal that returns the hostages, though it would still harm his political standing. Muslims in Middle East observe Ramadan amid political upheaval The U.S. has been silent on the details of the new plan, though Netanyahu claims it has been fully coordinated with the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Trump has given mixed messages, criticizing Hamas’ treatment of the captives while expressing his desire for their immediate release, yet leaving the decision to Israel. Trump's proposal to relocate Gaza’s population to other countries and turn it into a tourist site has been rejected by Palestinians, Arab countries, and human rights experts, who argue that it would violate international law. If implemented, it would likely require resuming the war and intensifying the offensive, which has already caused significant devastation in Gaza. In response, Egypt is finalising a counterproposal, which will be discussed at an Arab summit in Cairo. This plan suggests that Palestinians stay in Gaza, relocate to safe zones, and have Hamas cede power to a transitional authority while the international community strengthens the Palestinian Authority. However, Israel has rejected any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s postwar reconstruction, and it remains uncertain whether Trump would support Egypt’s plan.

Hamas has stated that no progress has been made in the indirect talks with Israel regarding the second phase of the ceasefire. It is uncertain whether the talks will resume on Saturday, as reported by a senior Hamas official. The first phase of the ceasefire halted 15 months of conflict in Gaza, leading to the release of 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel's ceasefires with Hezbollah, Hamas uncertain again This first phase will end on Saturday, but fighting is not expected to resume while negotiations for the second phase continue. The second phase aims to bring an end to the war in Gaza and secure the return of all remaining living hostages. The discussions are taking place in Cairo with participation from Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. While Hamas has not attended the talks directly, their position has been represented by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, told the Associated Press that no progress had been made before Israeli negotiators left on Friday. It is uncertain if the mediators will return on Saturday as planned, and Naim said he did not know when negotiations might continue. Hamas initiated the war on October 7, 2023, with an attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel. Since then, Israel’s military actions have resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, with Gaza health officials noting that more than half of those killed were women and children. Israel threatens 'all hell will break loose' on Hamas in latest Gaza ceasefire crisis The ceasefire deal, which was agreed upon in January, includes three phases intended to end the war. On Friday, Hamas reiterated its commitment to the terms of the agreement and urged the international community to push Israel to begin the second phase without delay. Alongside the second phase of the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office revealed that mediators are also discussing measures to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, in order to ease the suffering of the population and contribute to regional stability. Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire by 42 days, claiming it violates the truce agreement. The proposal would extend the ceasefire through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in exchange for another hostage exchange. The World Food Program reported that during the first phase, it reached 1 million Palestinians in Gaza, restoring distribution points, reopening bakeries, and increasing cash assistance. The agency stressed that the ceasefire must hold, with no turning back.