Moroccan UN Peacekeeper Killed in C.Africa Attack

United Nations peacekeepers from Morocco during a ceremony on September 15, 2014, to celebrate the official start of the mission of the United Nations Peace Forces (Getty Images)
United Nations peacekeepers from Morocco during a ceremony on September 15, 2014, to celebrate the official start of the mission of the United Nations Peace Forces (Getty Images)
TT
20

Moroccan UN Peacekeeper Killed in C.Africa Attack

United Nations peacekeepers from Morocco during a ceremony on September 15, 2014, to celebrate the official start of the mission of the United Nations Peace Forces (Getty Images)
United Nations peacekeepers from Morocco during a ceremony on September 15, 2014, to celebrate the official start of the mission of the United Nations Peace Forces (Getty Images)

A Moroccan soldier serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in war-torn Central Africa was killed during an attack at an airfield, the UN said on Friday.

The mission did not say who carried out Thursday's attack at Obo in the southeast of the country, AFP said.

"A blue helmet from the Moroccan contingent... died after an attack on Thursday morning at the Obo aerodrome while he was protecting the aerodrome perimeter for a landing, with other members of his continent," said the UN force in Central Africa (MINUSCA).

The 14,000-strong peacekeeping force has been deployed since 2014 in the country which is wracked by civil war.



Hamas Seeks to Convey Gaza Ceasefire Plan to Trump via Türkiye

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
TT
20

Hamas Seeks to Convey Gaza Ceasefire Plan to Trump via Türkiye

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday (Turkish Foreign Ministry)

Hamas is pushing to promote a new ceasefire initiative for the Gaza Strip and is seeking Türkiye’s support to convey its vision to the administration of US President Donald Trump, two sources from the Palestinian group told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Speaking separately on condition of anonymity, the sources said Hamas leadership believes that its proposed “comprehensive deal” or “one-package offer” could be relayed by Turkish officials to Washington, capitalising on Ankara’s strong ties with the Trump administration.

The proposal comes as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to end hostilities in Gaza and secure broader international engagement in resolving the conflict.

Hamas is seeking Turkish support to promote a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza that includes the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, a complete halt to hostilities, and a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory.

A Hamas delegation led by senior official Mohammed Darwish met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday, as well as intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, to discuss the group’s ceasefire vision, internal Palestinian affairs, and other regional issues.

One of the sources said Hamas is basing its push for Turkish mediation on recent comments by US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, who reportedly suggested Washington could guarantee a ceasefire if Hamas releases all hostages.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several of his ministers have publicly rejected the group’s initiative.

“The meetings in Türkiye aimed to convey a message to Turkish officials, urging them to use their strong ties with the current US administration to pass along Hamas’s proposal to Washington,” the second source said.

The sources noted that Hamas is also relying on other channels, including Qatari mediation, to relay its plan to the Trump administration, hoping to pressure Israel into accepting the terms.

According to the sources, Hamas believes the United States could play a pivotal role in brokering an agreement ahead of Trump’s anticipated visit to the region — a trip the former president reportedly wants to take while fighting in Gaza is paused.

The group’s proposal, reported by Asharq Al-Awsat last week, includes a five-year ceasefire with regional and international guarantees.

Hamas is also calling for the entry of humanitarian aid under established protocols and says it accepts the formation of an independent Palestinian committee—composed of unaffiliated technocrats—to govern Gaza, in line with an Egyptian proposal backed by Arab, Islamic, and European countries.