Iran has said it welcomes the agreement between Israel and Hamas on implementing the first face of a U.S.-backed peace plan, but stressed that Palestine must decides its own fate.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of the peace plan designed to end the Gaza conflict and secure the release of hostages.
At a press conference on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei emphasized that Tehran welcomes efforts to end the war in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid, yet expressed skepticism regarding the proposal.
"We welcome any initiative that leads to stopping the genocide in Gaza and providing assistance to the oppressed people of occupied Palestine. We support any plan that recognizes the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and ends the occupation and crimes by the Zionist regime," said Baghaei.
The spokesman also cautioned against repeating the mistakes of past peace initiatives, which he claimed undermined the rights of Palestinians.
"We have serious concerns about this plan and its consequences. Decisions about Palestine's fate must be made by the Palestinian people themselves, free from external pressure or interference," said Baghaei.
The peace plan outlines a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, a phased Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarized Gaza, and international oversight of Gaza's reconstruction and governance after the end of the conflict. Hamas will be excluded from the governance structure.
Iran welcomes Gaza peace plan but stresses Palestine must decide own fate
Iran welcomes Gaza peace plan but stresses Palestine must decide own fate
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
