U.S. calls for “urgent talks” next week to reach Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal

The leaders of the U.S., Egypt and Qatar called for Israel and Hamas to resume cease-fire talks next week in either Doha or Cairo. In a joint statement, President Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani urged both parties “to resume urgent discussion” on Aug. 15 “to close

U.S. says Israel-Hamas cease-fire “close,” amid fears of widening war

The White House says Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks are “close,” amid fears of a widening Middle East war following high-profile assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Israel launched a rare airstrike on Lebanon’s capital of Beirut on July 30, killing Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, a close advisor to Hezbollah’s secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah. A day later, the