Pakistan, Arab, Asian states join US-led Gaza peace mechanism, Netanyahu’s participation criticized
Washington: A group of countries from the Middle East and Asia have agreed to participate in a United States-backed peace mechanism for Gaza, endorsing efforts led by US President Donald Trump to work towards a permanent ceasefire and a political resolution to the conflict.
Al Jazeera reported that in a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar confirmed their decision to join what has been described as a “board of peace” for the Gaza Strip. The ministers said their participation reflects support for initiatives aimed at ending hostilities, facilitating reconstruction in the war-hit territory and advancing a lasting settlement based on Palestinian self-determination and statehood under international law.
Kuwait later announced that it had also accepted Washington’s invitation to be part of the proposed body.
The developments come shortly after the White House disclosed details of the peace board, which forms part of a broader plan announced by President Trump to bring an end to Israel’s war in Gaza. The mechanism is expected to supervise a Palestinian technocratic committee that would handle the enclave’s administrative affairs.
According to US officials, the board will include senior presidential advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The composition of the body and the role envisaged for Israel have drawn scrutiny, particularly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that he would take part in the process.
With the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Netanyahu for war crimes, residents in Gaza have questioned about the initiative's reliability, while noting ongoing Israeli military operations and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Abu Ramzi al-Sandawi, a resident of Gaza City, rejected Netanyahu’s participation, holding him responsible for the devastation in the enclave and describing him as the central figure behind the ongoing war.
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No exit polls from 7 am of April 9 till 6.30 pm of April 29: EC
New Delhi (PTI): Exit polls can neither be held nor disseminated from 7 am of April 9 till 6.30 pm of April 29 for the five assembly elections taking place this month, the Election Commission has said.
It has also cautioned that conducting or broadcasting exit polls in the period is violative of section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and is "punishable with imprisonment up to a period of two years, or with fine or both".
While Kerala, Assam and Puducherry going for assembly polls on April 9, the electoral exercise will be held in Tamil Nadu on April 23.
In West Bengal, state polls will be held on April 23 and 29.
While the 48 hour 'silence period' in Kerala and Puducherry will commence at 6 pm on Tuesday, it will kick in at 5 pm in Assam.
Silence period means end of campaigning 48 hours ahead of the end of voting hour in a particular constituency or the entire state.
Except door-to-door campaigning by a limited number of party workers or candidate, no other form of campaigning is allowed. But in a digital age, it is difficult to enforce.
Usually voting is held from 7 am to 6 pm. But the timing varies due to terrain and security situation.
