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Hamas Official Dismisses 'Illusion' that Gaza Truce Nearer

Smoke and flames rise following an Israeli strike on a residential building in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, in this screen grab taken from a video, August 17, 2024. Reuters TV via REUTERS
Smoke and flames rise following an Israeli strike on a residential building in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, in this screen grab taken from a video, August 17, 2024. Reuters TV via REUTERS
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Hamas Official Dismisses 'Illusion' that Gaza Truce Nearer

Smoke and flames rise following an Israeli strike on a residential building in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, in this screen grab taken from a video, August 17, 2024. Reuters TV via REUTERS
Smoke and flames rise following an Israeli strike on a residential building in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, in this screen grab taken from a video, August 17, 2024. Reuters TV via REUTERS

A senior Hamas official on Saturday dismissed optimistic talk by US President Joe Biden that a Gaza truce is nearer after negotiations in Qatar.

"To say that we are getting close to a deal is an illusion," Hamas political bureau member Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP. "We are not facing a deal or real negotiations, but rather the imposing of American diktats."

He was responding to Biden's comment on Friday that "We are closer than we have ever been."

Biden spoke after two days of talks in Qatar where Washington tried to bridge differences between Israel and Hamas. The two sides have been at war for more than 10 months in the Gaza Strip.

Previous optimism during months of on-off truce talks has proven unfounded.

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Arab World

Sudan Declares Cholera Epidemic

Patients suffering from cholera receive treatment at a rural isolation center in Wad Al-Hilu in Kassala state in eastern Sudan, on August 17, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Patients suffering from cholera receive treatment at a rural isolation center in Wad Al-Hilu in Kassala state in eastern Sudan, on August 17, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
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Sudan Declares Cholera Epidemic

Patients suffering from cholera receive treatment at a rural isolation center in Wad Al-Hilu in Kassala state in eastern Sudan, on August 17, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Patients suffering from cholera receive treatment at a rural isolation center in Wad Al-Hilu in Kassala state in eastern Sudan, on August 17, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Sudan's health minister on Saturday declared a cholera epidemic after weeks of heavy rain in the war-torn country, in a video released by his ministry.

"We are declaring a cholera epidemic because of the weather conditions and because drinking water has been contaminated," Haitham Ibrahim said in the video, according to Agence France Presse.

He said the decision was taken in conjunction with authorities in the eastern state of Kassala, United Nations agencies and experts after the "discovery by the public health laboratory of the cholera virus".

For weeks the country has seen torrential rainfall, with Kassala state badly hit. The authorities there have appealed for "immediate" and "urgent" international aid.

Thousands of people have been displaced by flooding, causing an increase in sickness including diarrhea, especially in children.