International
Israel’s delegation leaves Cairo after a new stalemate in the truce negotiations
The delegation of Israel led by the heads of the Mosad and Shin Bet left Cairo on Sunday after a day of indirect negotiations that has not brought results or progress to reach a truce in the Gaza Strip, sources close to the talks told EFE.
According to the informants, who asked not to be identified, the Israeli team – composed of the heads of the Mosad and Shin Bet, David Barnea and Ronen Bar, and Major General Nitzan Alon, who oversees the talks on behalf of the Army – will inform the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, of the status of the talks.
An Egyptian source indicated that an agreement can only be reached if Israel abandons its insistence on keeping its troops in the Philadelphia corridor, one of Cairo’s main demands since this axis separates the Strip with the Egyptian peninsula of Sinai.
However, he stated that Israel would have preliminarily approved the presence of employees of the Palestinian National Authority at the Rafah crossing, which connects with Egypt and has been closed since May, although it would not allow the Palestinian flag to be hoisted at the crossing.
Likewise, the source indicated that the Israeli team demanded that in the first phase of the truce eight of its military positions be maintained in the Philadelphia corridor.
The informants indicated that the Egyptian and Qatari mediators, supported by a delegation from the United States, demanded a truce in Gaza of between 5 and 7 days to bring urgent medical aid and vaccines to the punished population of the Palestinian enclave, where more than 40,000 people have died since last October 7.
On the other hand, the delegation of the Islamist group Hamas that moved to Cairo to participate in a process of consultations with the teams of Egypt and Qatar, also left the Egyptian capital after holding a series of meetings with the mediators and learning about the current state of the negotiations, according to a statement from the Palestinian movement.
Hamas reiterated its demands on the need for Israel to implement the draft it accepted on July 2, based on a proposal presented in May by U.S. President Joe Biden, which included the end of hostilities and the total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in a second phase.
In addition, he stated that “any agreement must include a permanent ceasefire” and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, something that Netanyahu opposes.
The Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip left at least 71 dead and 112 injured in the last 24 hours, according to the daily report of the Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by Hamas, most of them in the area of Jan Yunis and Deir al Balah.
Since the beginning of the war in the devastated Palestinian enclave, more than 10 months ago, at least 40,405 people have died and more than 93,468 have been injured, according to the records of the hospitals of the Strip.
In addition, the health authorities estimate that the bodies of about 10,000 missing people are still buried under the rubble, without rescue teams being able to access them.
The Ministry also reported that the European hospital in Gaza, located south of Jan Yunis, began operating today, including the specialties of surgery, pediatrics and internal medicine, after being out of service for 50 days despite the lack of resources.
Meanwhile, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused the current president, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday of “torpedoing” the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip, which he said leads the country towards a comprehensive war in the region.
“Netanyahu does not want the hostages to return,” Olmert said, referring to the 105 who have been in the hands of Hamas for more than 10 months, – at least a third already dead – but to prolong negotiations and a war that could degenerate into an escalation of violence against the Shiite group Hizbulah and Iran.
Olmert, a very critical voice against the management of the current president, commanded the country between 2006 and 2009, years before entering prison for corruption due to previous actions during his time as mayor of Jerusalem (1993-2003).
Central America
Senator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React
U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, representing the state of Maryland, held a meeting in El Salvador with deported MS-13 gang member Kilmar Ábrego García, a member of the criminal group classified by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.
“Kilmar Ábrego García, miraculously resurrected from the ‘extermination camps’ and ‘torture chambers,’ now sipping margaritas with Senator Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!” wrote President Nayib Bukeleon X (formerly Twitter), sharing photos of Van Hollen, Ábrego García, and a lawyer sitting together at a Salvadoran hotel.
The deported gang member is seen wearing a plaid shirt and a flat-brimmed cap, seated at a table with glasses and coffee cups. The senator also shared images of the meeting on his own social media accounts.
Bukele reaffirmed that Ábrego will remain in El Salvador and will not be returned to the United States.
“Now that his health has been confirmed, he has earned the honor of remaining under the custody of El Salvador,” Bukele added.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the senator’s meeting with Ábrego on Truth Social, calling Van Hollen “a fool” for advocating for Ábrego’s return to the U.S.
International
Pope Francis Appears for Easter Blessing, Calls for Peace and Religious Freedom
Pope Francis, still recovering from pneumonia, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Easter Sunday and, with a faint voice, wished a “Happy Easter” to the thousands of faithful gathered to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.
A month after being discharged from a lengthy hospital stay, the presence of the 88-year-old pontiff had remained uncertain, with the Vatican not confirming his attendance ahead of time.
Eventually, the pope made a brief appearance in a wheelchair shortly after 12:00 p.m. (10:00 GMT) to deliver his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing (“to the city and to the world”).
Although no longer wearing an oxygen cannula, the Argentine Jesuit relied on a close aide to read his Easter message, which touched on major global conflicts.
Francis condemned the “dramatic and unworthy humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and called for a ceasefire, while also expressing concern over the “growing climate of antisemitism spreading across the globe.”
He further emphasized the importance of religious freedom and freedom of thought, stating that without mutual respect, “peace is not possible.”
International
Thousands rally nationwide against Trump’s threat to U.S. democracy
Thousands of protesters gathered on Saturday (April 19, 2025) in major cities like New York and Washington, as well as in small communities across the United States, in a second wave of demonstrations against President Donald Trump. The crowds denounced what they view as growing threats to the country’s democratic ideals.
In New York City, demonstrators of all ages rallied in front of the Public Library near Trump Tower, holding signs accusing the president of undermining democratic institutions and judicial independence.
Many protesters also criticized Trump’s hardline immigration policies, including mass deportations and raids targeting undocumented migrants.
“Democracy is in grave danger,” said Kathy Valyi, 73, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. She told AFP that the stories her parents shared about Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in 1930s Germany “are happening here now.”
In Washington, demonstrators voiced concern over what they see as Trump’s disregard for long-standing constitutional norms, such as the right to due process.
Senator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React
Pope Francis Appears for Easter Blessing, Calls for Peace and Religious Freedom
Thousands rally nationwide against Trump’s threat to U.S. democracy
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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