Morning Briefing: Feb. 12, 2025

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including President Donald Trump stating that the US will "take" Gaza under its authority in talks with Jordan's king, Israel's prime minister threatening to end the Gaza ceasefire if all hostages are not released, and Egypt announcing its intention to present a proposal for the Palestinian enclave's reconstruction without displacing its residents.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says he will 'take' Gaza under US authority as he hosts Jordan's king

President Trump said Tuesday that he will "take" the besieged Gaza Strip under US authority as he hosted Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House.

The president continued to insist that he will implement his widely planned proposal to take ownership of Gaza, saying: "We’re going to run it very properly."

"We’re going to take it, we’re going to hold it, we’re going to cherish it," Trump said of the coastal enclave. "We'll have lots of good things built there, including hotels and office buildings and housing and other things, and we'll make that site into what it should be."

Meanwhile, King Abdullah II said Tuesday that he reiterated Jordan’s steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during a meeting with Trump at the White House.

• Israeli prime minister threatens to end Gaza ceasefire if captives not released by Saturday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Tuesday evening to end the Gaza ceasefire deal if Hamas failed to release captives by Saturday noon.

“If Hamas does not return our hostages by noon on Saturday, the ceasefire will be terminated, and the Israeli army will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” Netanyahu said in a video statement after a four-hour Security Cabinet meeting.

The Israeli premier said he instructed the army “to mobilize forces inside and around the Gaza Strip.”

The threat came one day after Hamas said it would delay the next hostage release in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.

• Egypt to present proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction ensuring Palestinians remain on their land

Egypt announced its intention Tuesday to present a proposal for the reconstruction of Gaza designed to ensure that the Palestinian people remain on their land, consistent with their legal and rightful claims.

In Foreign Ministry statement, Egypt expressed its eagerness to “cooperate with the US administration under President Donald Trump to reach a comprehensive and just peace in the region,” aiming for a fair resolution to the Palestinian issue that respects the rights of the peoples in the area.

The statement also indicated that Egypt plans to propose a “comprehensive vision” for Gaza's reconstruction focused on securing the Palestinian population's continued presence on their land.

Egypt emphasized that any proposed solution to the Palestinian issue must prioritize avoiding threats to the peace gains in the region while addressing the root causes of the conflict by ending Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• An Arab, Egyptian, and Palestinian plan is in place to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents, Jordan's foreign minister said Tuesday.
• Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange deal with Israel on Tuesday, accusing Tel Aviv of failing to uphold its commitments and holding it responsible for any complications or delays.
• Saudi Arabia on Tuesday rejected “extremist” Israeli statements advocating the displacement of Palestinians.
• The UN on Tuesday expressed concern about the possibility of a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip failing, following threats by Israel to terminate the agreement.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday announced €200 billion (over $206 billion) in investments, as she emphasized Europe's ambition to become a leading force in artificial intelligence (AI).
• US President Donald Trump’s decisions “serve his own interests and impact global economies,” Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said Tuesday
• US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East plans to visit Israel and Qatar this week, Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Tuesday.
• South Africa said Tuesday that it is still looking forward to an opportunity to engage with the administration of US President Donald Trump to understand the actual grievance they have against the country.
• The UN on Tuesday reported that violence by Israeli forces in the northern areas of the occupied West Bank has led to "further death."
• President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday witnessed the signing of 11 agreements between the two countries.

SPORTS

• Real Madrid make comeback to beat Manchester City 3-2 in Champions League

Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid made a comeback to beat Manchester City 3-2 in a UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs first leg clash Tuesday.

The Sky Blues' Norwegian star Erling Haaland scored in the 19th minute and from a penalty kick in the 80th minute at Etihad Stadium.

Real Madrid's equalizers were netted by French star Kylian Mbappe in the 60th minute and Moroccan winger Brahim Diaz in the 80th minute.

English star Jude Bellingham's late goal in the 92nd minute brought the team a vital victory.

• Borussia Dortmund hammer Sporting Lisbon 3-0 in Champions League

Borussia Dortmund hammered Sporting Lisbon 3-0 in a UEFA Champions League knockout first leg match on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, French forward Serhou Guirassy in the 60th minute, German midfielder Pascal Gross in the 68th minute and German forward Karim Adeyemi in the 82nd minute netted the winning goals for the German side at Lisbon's Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The second leg match will be held at BVB Stadion Dortmund on Feb. 19.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• EU will jointly retaliate if US imposes tariffs, Germany’s Scholz warns Trump

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday warned that the EU will jointly retaliate if US President Donald Trump moves forward with imposing tariffs on European products.

Addressing lawmakers in parliament, Scholz criticized US President Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on European products, beginning with steel and aluminum.

“If the US leaves us no other choice, then the European Union countries will react as one. As the largest market in the world with 450 million citizens, we have the strength to do so,” he said.

• BOTAS, Turkmengaz sign deal to facilitate supply of Turkmen gas to Türkiye

Türkiye and Turkmenistan have signed an agreement to supply Turkmen gas to Türkiye starting on March 1, the Turkish energy and natural resources minister announced on Tuesday.

"We took a historic step in Türkiye-Turkmenistan energy cooperation," said Alparslan Bayraktar on X, announcing the agreement between the Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) and Turkmengaz to facilitate the supply of Turkmen gas to Türkiye.

"Gas flow is planned to start on March 1," Bayraktar said.