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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not seem like he’s afraid of playing hardball with President Donald Trump during their expected meeting on Friday. While speaking with the media in Ukraine, Zelenskyy vowed to "resolve" the issue around NATO, saying he is looking to either join the alliance or "something similar."

Zelenskyy has been pushing for Ukraine to gain NATO membership, and on Sunday he said he would resign from the presidency if that meant peace and entry into the alliance for his country. However, U.S. officials have said NATO membership for Ukraine is off the table in the near future, as Russia would not agree to such terms.

When briefing the press on Wednesday, Zelenskyy also teased possible topics for discussion during his expected meeting with Trump and said he has "very important questions" for the U.S. president, including whether the U.S. will cut off aid. 

ZELENSKYY NAMES HIS TERMS FOR GIVING UP POWER AS US, UKRAINE LOCK IN ON MINERAL DEAL

Trump and Zelenskyy are expected to discuss a possible rare earth minerals deal, which the U.S. president says has been "pretty much negotiated." On Monday, Trump said that the deal included minerals and "various other things."

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told "Sunday Morning Futures" that the first part of the deal involves the formation of a partnership between the two countries and "involves strategic minerals, energy and state-owned enterprises."

"We make money if the Ukrainian people make money, and I believe that with the United States of America, our businesses are willing to come in and provide capital that we can accelerate the Ukrainian growth trajectory and take in substantial monies for the U.S. taxpayers and get the Ukrainian economy on a great growth trajectory."

TRUMP ENVOY FOR RUSSIA AND UKRAINE CALLS ZELENSKYY A 'COURAGEOUS LEADER' AFTER TRUMP LAMBASTS FOREIGN FIGURE

The Ukrainian leader also told the press on Wednesday that it was important that Trump answers his questions before meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Earlier this month, Trump said he had a "lengthy and highly productive" call with Putin, however, no face-to-face meeting is scheduled as of the time of this writing. The Kremlin said a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Putin could possibly happen this month, but that it might take more time, according to Reuters.
 

US VOTES AGAINST CONDEMNING RUSSIA FOR UKRAINE WAR AS TRUMP ADMIN CHASES PEACE DEAL

Friday’s meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy comes at a crucial moment as the relationship between the two nations grows rocky.

Earlier this week, the U.S. voted against a United Nations resolution laying blame on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and demanding the removal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. Subsequently, the U.S. abstained from a vote on its own resolution after several nations succeeded in amending it to make it clear that Russia was responsible.

Zelenskyy recently criticized Trump, saying the president was in a "disinformation space." Vice President JD Vance later called out the Ukrainian leader’s "atrocious" approach to the administration. 

Following the criticisms, Trump accused Zelenskyy of being "a dictator without elections" in a Truth Social post and said that if the Ukrainian leader doesn’t "move fast" he wouldn’t "have a country left."

Fox News’ Morgan Phillips, Greg Norman and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.

A nurse who allegedly said she wouldn’t treat Israeli patients is now facing multiple federal charges in Australia. 

Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, was detained Tuesday after she made the comments in a video posted online earlier this month, according to the Associated Press. 

Abu Lebdeh and another nurse, Ahmed Rashid Nadir, were suspended from Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital near Sydney on Feb. 12. Abu Lebdeh said in a video the night before that she wouldn’t treat Israeli patients while Nadir suggested he had killed Israelis, the AP reported. 

However, the hospital examined patient records and found no evidence that the nurses had harmed patients. 

AUSTRALIAN HEALTHCARE WORKERS THREATEN ISRAELI MAN, CLAIM TO HAVE KILLED JEWS IN THEIR CARE ON CAMERA 

The video posted online was described as "antisemitic" by the New South Wales Police Force. 

They added that it was "filmed at Bankstown Hospital and circulated widely on social media." 

Abu Lebdeh was charged with the federal offenses of threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill and using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend, police said.  

The charges carried a potential maximum penalty of 22 years in prison. 

Abu Lebdeh has been released on bail and is expected to appear in court on March 19. 

AUSTRALIA’S JEWISH COMMUNITY ALARMED BY RISING ANTISEMITISM 

In the video, a man and woman, who said they were doctors, spoke with another individual via Chatrouletka, a website where strangers are matched internationally to have conversations. 

After the Israeli man revealed his nationality, the female worker said "it's Palestine's country, not your country you piece of s---," according to the video. 

As the Israeli man asked for peace, the conversation escalated, and the woman said "when the time comes, I want you to remember my face, so you can understand that you will die the most disgusting death." 

The pair went on to say they would not treat the man and would kill him if he came to their hospital. 

The man in scrubs said "you have no idea how many Israelis came to this hospital and…," while sliding his arm across his neck in a throat-slashing motion. 

Fox News' Alexandra Koch, Beth Bailey and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Taiwan dispatched naval, land and air forces on Wednesday after China launched a live-fire exercise zone just 40 nautical miles off of Taiwan's coast.

Taiwan's defense ministry says it only became aware of the exercise when local Taiwanese vessels were warned to stay out of the area after the drills had begun. The drills are centered off the coast of the Taiwan port city of Kaohsiung. Taiwanese officials say China "blatantly violated international norms" by unilaterally designating the drill zone.

"This move not only poses a high risk to the navigation safety of international flights and ships at sea, but is also a blatant provocation to regional security and stability," the defense ministry said in a statement.

As part of the drill, Taiwan says it detected 32 Chinese military aircraft carrying out joint exercises with warships. Chinese officials have so far not acknowledged Taiwan's complaints.

TAIWAN FM HAILS IMPORTANCE OF US RELATIONSHIP, SAYS GROUP VISITS 'CONTRIBUTE TO PEACE AND STABILITY'

The drills around Taiwan are only the latest example of Chinese aggression this month. The country's military has also launched live-fire drills off the coast of Vietnam as well as between New Zealand and Australia, forcing commercial flights between the two countries to be diverted.

Wednesday's exercise came just days after the Chinese Communist Party’s fourth-ranked leader, Wang Huning, called for greater "reunification" efforts. China has long maintained that Taiwan is a rebel territory belonging to Beijing.

TRUMP MUST DUMP 'ONE CHINA' POLICY AND RECOGNIZE 'FREE' TAIWAN, HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY

China must "firmly grasp the right to dominate and take the initiative in cross-strait relations, and unswervingly push forward the cause of reunification of the motherland," Huning said, according to a translation by Chinese state media.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said in recent years that he is willing to take over Taiwan by force.

China's drills come one day after Taiwan's coast guard (CGA) detained the Chinese crew of a Togolese-registered vessel suspected of severing an undersea fiber optic cable connecting the islands of Taiwan and Penghu on Tuesday.

The CGA says the vessel, the Hong Tai 168, had been loitering within roughly 925 meters of the cable since 7 p.m. local time on Feb. 22. A coast guard vessel was dispatched to the ship at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, demanding that the vessel leave the area, Taiwan's state-owned media said.

Coast guard officials received confirmation that the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 undersea cable had been cut at 3 a.m. Tuesday, and they began efforts to detain the ship's Chinese crew. All eight crew members were Chinese nationals, according to the coast guard.

Taiwan split from mainland China in 1949, when pro-democratic forces fled to the island after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's Chinese Communist Party.

With just days to go before the first phase of the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was set to expire, the terrorist group has agreed to release the bodies of four dead Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. 

Israel has delayed the release of about 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday to protest what it regarded as the cruel treatment of hostages during their release by Hamas. 

"In light of Hamas’s repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes, it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies," the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

Tensions were made worse after Hamas said it was turning over the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two sons – only for it to later be revealed that the identity of the mom did not match. 

FORMER HAMAS HOSTAGE BRIEFS UN SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE ‘PURE HELL’ THAT WAS CAPTIVITY IN GAZA

The militant group said it had "no interest in withholding any bodies in its possession," claiming that the dead hostages handed over had been killed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023 and that the bodies could have been misidentified due to bombardments in the area. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari denies this and said Ariel and Kfir Bibas were killed by their captors.

Hamas has accused Israel of committing a "serious violation" by delaying the ceasefire agreement and said that talks on a second phase aren't possible until the Palestinians are freed.

GOP LAWMAKERS PUSH TRUMP TO RECOGNIZE WEST BANK AS ISRAELI TERRITORY

But Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou later told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Hamas would hand over the bodies of four Israelis the next day.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, thousands of Israelis lined the highways as the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two children were transported to their burial.

Shiri Bibas was kidnapped with her two sons — Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 9 months old — from their home on Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023. 

Yarden Bibas, their father, was taken separately, and released during the ceasefire last month. The three will be buried on Kibbutz Nir Oz on Wednesday afternoon.

JOHANNESBURG: The key to Africa’s future is in increasing trade with the U.S., not in receiving aid from it, a message key analysts told Fox News Digital in the wake of President Donald Trump’s foreign aid freeze.

"U.S. trade dollars exchanged with Africa massively exceed aid dollars granted," South African-based Frans Cronje, an advisor for the Yorktown Foundation for Freedom, told Fox News Digital. 

Some $11 billion of USAid funds were reportedly spent in Africa in 2024, but trade between the U.S. and Africa during the same period was seven times higher - $71.6 billion, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

'WASTEFUL AND DANGEROUS': DOGE'S TOP FIVE MOST SHOCKING REVELATIONS

Cronje said "the idea of helping people with aid may be admirable, but in practice achieves little in Africa by way of addressing the structural factors that underpin poverty. Trade, on the other hand, is a more viable route by which the U.S. can build strong relationships with Africa, and is also in line with President Donald Trump’s style of diplomacy through transactions."

Cronje elaborated, saying, "Aid acts as a subsidy to bad governments, and thereby keeps them in power despite an absence of reform - whereas trade requires reforms and improving governance to be sustainable."

Following the Trump administration's policy change, Ledama Olekina, senator for Kenya’s Narok County, added, "We don’t need aid in Kenya; we can do it on our own!" Posting on X on Jan. 28, Olekina wrote, "Relying on aid from the West limits our opportunities to be industrious and creative. From now on, we must learn to live within our means, eliminate corruption, and instill a spirit of patriotism in our citizens. Together, let’s build a brighter future for our country. Thank you @realDonaldTrump and @USAID it’s time!"

Anna Mahjar-Barducci, a senior research fellow at the Middle East Media Research Institute, told Fox News Digital that aid "does not help the needy, as foreign aid keeps the needy always being needy … international aid doesn't go directly to the starving population, but to governments. The direct consequence is the growth of the role of the State in the economy of the recipient country, which does not offer incentives to (the) private sector's development."

She added, "Foreign aid has been financing central governments, which (has) ended up promoting statism, and discouraging the creation of an entrepreneurial culture. As a result, government bureaucrats became richer, and regular citizens got poorer. As British economist Peter Bauer put it: "Aid is a process by which the poor in the rich countries subsidize the rich in poor countries."

TRUMP FREEZES AID TO SOUTH AFRICA, PROMOTES RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES FACING RACE DISCRIMINATION

Aid has other negative effects, according to Mahjar-Barducci, who added, "aid is providing governments, many of which are dictatorships, in Africa with freely usable cash, which not only discourages the creation of an entrepreneurial culture, but it also discourages steps toward peace in war-torn areas.

"While many Westerners (mainly belonging to the radical left) criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to pause U.S. foreign aid, many African intellectuals welcomed the new administration’s policy." 

She pointed to a recent column by Nigerian expert Mfonobong Inyang, titled, "Wake Up Africa, Foreign Aid Is Not A Development Strategy." She said "in his article, he stated that foreign aid is meant to be a temporary relief and intervention, not an official policy of any country that seeks to assert its sovereignty."

Mahjar-Barducci said, "Many African economists are saying that the suspension of USAID funding, offers an opportunity to redefine the African countries’ development strategy, and establish an ‘Africa-first approach,’ based on direct investments, innovation, partnerships, (and) empowering local governance."

On Sunday, The Associated Press reported that some 1,600 posts at USAID would be eliminated after reviewing notices that were sent to USAID workers.

Enter the dragon. China is whipping its Belt and Road Initiative into a virtual frenzy in Africa. Beijing has invested over $700 billion in infrastructure development on the continent in the decade up to 2023, according to China’s commerce industry. 

Cronje said that when it comes to Africa, China already believes in pushing trade, rather than aid, "in terms of both foreign investment flows and trade flows, China is a significantly more important economic partner for Africa than is the U.S. Since around 2010, Chinese trade with Africa escalated sharply in dollar terms whilst trade levels between the U.S. and Africa remained relatively flat."

Mahdar-Barducci borrowed Ghanian economist George Ayittey’s phrase "Chopsticks Mercantilism" to describe China’s policy in Africa, commenting on "China's dexterity in striking deals with African leaders that were stacked in its own favor. Chinese multinational companies are investing in the African continent, in exchange for access to natural resources." 

Cronje stated that for the U.S., instead of aid, "trade is likely to be a more effective route to securing sound economic and diplomatic relations with Africa, as it helps to build sustainable African economies without being a direct cost to American taxpayers."

Additionally, on China, Cronje concluded, "In many respects, the U.S. is having to play catch-up in Africa. For American policy makers, the trade and investment deficit relative to China should be a more important concern than the question of future aid flows."

A funeral procession for a mother and her two young sons is being held Wednesday morning in Rishon Lezion, Israel, after their remains were turned over by Hamas last week.

The remains of Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel and Kfir were handed over to Israeli authorities late last week as part of an ongoing hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. 

The funeral will be held near the family’s home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, at a private ceremony in Zohar, The Times of Israel reported. It will be closed to the public.

REMAINS OF SHIRI BIBAS POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED AFTER EVENTUALLY BEING HANDED OVER BY HAMAS

The family published the route of the funeral procession and urged the public to show support as the remains are transported.

On Friday, Hamas handed over a coffin carrying Shiri Bibas' remains to the Red Cross, which turned the coffin over to Israeli authorities. She was positively identified on Saturday morning.

REMAINS OF SHIRI BIBAS, MOM OF TWO KILLED, ALLEGEDLY RETURNED TO ISRAEL FOLLOWING HAMAS' BROKEN PROMISE

Hamas had initially handed over a Palestinian woman from Gaza on Thursday. 

The terror group said it had "no interest in withholding any bodies in its possession." It said the dead hostages handed over on Thursday had been killed by an Israeli airstrike in November 2023 and that the bodies could have been misidentified due to bombardments in the area.

Before the handover of Shiri Bibas' remains, Israeli authorities positively identified the remains of her two sons along with another hostage, Oded Lifshitz.

At least four people died and six were injured on Tuesday after a collapse at a highway construction site in an area south of the South Korean capital, Seoul, fire authorities said.

The accident took place at 9:49 a.m. (0049 GMT) in Anseong, about 70 km (43.5 miles) from Seoul, when five 50 metre (164 ft) concrete structures supporting the highway bridge collapsed one after another after being hoisted into place by a crane, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

SOUTH KOREA DEADLY PLANE CRASH: US SENDS INVESTIGATORS TO COUNTRY STILL REELING FROM DISASTER THAT KILLED 179

Ko Kyung-man, an Anseong fire official, said that four people had died, including two Chinese nationals, and six were injured, including five who were in a critical condition. The five also included one Chinese citizen.

"They were working to install a deck on the bridge," Ko told a televised briefing. "All of the 10 were up on the deck ... and fell from both sides when it collapsed."

Broadcaster YTN aired dramatic footage showing a deck of a towering bridge collapsing at the site.

Rescue workers at the site were seen examining twisted metal struts and fractured concrete slabs below the columns of the highway bridge.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok called to mobilise all available personnel and resources to rescue any missing people and to ensure safety measures to prevent further damage, his office said.

The National Fire Agency said that it has mobilised three helicopters and nearly 150 officials for the search and rescue operation, and the Transport Ministry said it has dispatched a team of officials to the scene.

Deadly accidents continue to regularly occur at industrial sites in South Korea, which introduced a law in 2022 to address safety lapses and punish company management if a worker is killed on the job.

Earlier in February, six people died in a fire in a hotel construction site in the port city of Busan, with around 100 people evacuated including 14 workers plucked to safety by a helicopter after they had taken refuge on a rooftop.

In June last year, a fire at a lithium battery factory that authorities blamed on quality control failures and inadequate safety training killed 23 workers.

Data released in March by South Korea's labour ministry showed that 598 industrial workers died in 2023, with the construction sector accounting for nearly half, or 303, though the total death toll was down from 644 in 2022.

Millions of Chileans lost power Tuesday, including those in the capital of Santiago, the government said.

The blackout affected the northern Arica and Parinacota regions to the southern Los Lagos region, according to an X post by the undersecretary of the interior.

A "disruption in the supply of electricity" had provoked a "massive power outage" across more than a dozen regions in the country, Chile’s national disaster response service said. 

KRISTI NOEM JOINS IMMIGRATION RAID TO CATCH 'DIRTBAGS' IN MAJOR SANCTUARY CITY

The country's electricity distributor, Saesa, which serves more than a million people across Chile, confirmed that a nationwide power failure had affected all of its customers. The country is home to more than 19 million people. 

Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said she was convening officials and electricity providers in a race to restore service.

TRUMP DHS MAKES KEY MOVE AGAINST MIGRANTS ALLOWED IN VIA CONTROVERSIAL BIDEN PAROLE PROGRAMS

The Transportation Ministry urged motorists to drive with caution since traffic lights were not working, adding that instructions for passengers stuck on metro trains would be forthcoming. 

"The call is for calm and to avoid transfers to avoid traffic jams," the ministry said on X. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 
 

UNITED NATIONS – Former Hamas hostage Noa Argamani briefed the U.N. Security Council on her experience in Hamas captivity and made a plea for all the hostages to be released from "pure hell." 

"Being here today is a miracle, but I’m here to tell you we have no time," Argamani told the Security Council. She spoke about witnessing horrors, not receiving medical care and being held in dire conditions.

A video of Argamani’s kidnapping from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, went viral as she was forced on to a motorcycle by Hamas terrorists and dragged into Gaza. 

"I believe that you all, the international community, must understand that the hostages are in hell."

Argamani, who spent eight months in Hamas captivity before being rescued by Israeli soldiers, said the hostages feel as though they have been "abandoned by the world."

ISRAEL RESCUES 4 HOSTAGES KIDNAPPED BY HAMAS: 'WE ARE OVERJOYED'

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon praised Argamani’s "bravery and dignity," telling the council, "Noa Argamani is not just a witness or a victim of Hamas' cruelty, she is a survivor."

Even after Argamani told her story, which many on the council acknowledged was harrowing, much of the U.N. Security Council’s session was focused on Israel’s actions throughout the war in Gaza. Several speakers offered brief acknowledgments of Argamani’s testimony before launching into criticisms of Israel.

ISRAEL DELAYS PALESTINIAN PRISONER RELEASE AFTER HAMAS' 'HUMILIATING' TREATMENT OF HOSTAGES, NETANYAHU SAYS

Danon told the press, "Unfortunately, we don't have high expectations of the council. The very fact that since Oct. 7, they were not able to pass a resolution about the hostages, about the atrocities of Oct. 7, it speaks for itself."

However, the ambassador thanked the U.S., the U.K., Greece and France for discussing the hostages and the brutal murders of the Bibas family.

During her briefing, Argamani made a plea for the release of her partner, Avinatan Or, who was also kidnapped at the Nova music festival and who remains captive in Gaza.

"Until Avinatan returns, my heart is in captivity," Argamani told the Security Council. 

Israel and Hamas entered a ceasefire agreement in January and are in Phase One in which 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees will be exchanged for the remaining hostages. However, Israel delayed its most recent release of prisoners in protest of Hamas’ treatment of the hostages, including forcing them to participate in ceremonies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to a draft of a minerals deal with the White House, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. 

Trump told reporters that the Ukrainian leader plans to travel to D.C. on Friday to meet with him after the officials agreed to the terms of the deal, which was first reported by Reuters. The U.S. president added that the two leaders are "just in the process of negotiating."

"We've pretty much negotiated our deal on earth [minerals] and various other things," Trump said. "We'll be looking…. general security for Ukraine later on. I don't think that's going to be a problem. There are a lot of people that want to do it, and I spoke with Russia about it. They didn't seem to have a problem with it. So I think they understand they're not going back. And once we do this, they're not going back."

The pact, which would involve giving the U.S. access to natural resources in exchange for America’s support of Ukraine amid its war with Russia, was days in the making. Trump said on Friday that his administration was "pretty close" to striking a deal, and on Monday, he hinted that a meeting between him and Zelenskyy was imminent.

TRUMP SAYS DEAL WITH UKRAINE FOR US ACCESS TO ITS RARE EARTH MINERALS IS ‘PRETTY CLOSE’

"It'll be a deal with rare earths and various other things. And, he would like to come, as I understand it, here to sign it. And that would be great with me," Trump said. "I think they then have to get it approved by their council or whoever might approve it, but I'm sure that will happen."

Since his Jan. 20 inauguration, Trump has prioritized recouping the cost of U.S. aid to Ukraine by gaining access to Ukrainian resources, including titanium, iron and uranium. U.S. aid to the war-torn country has totaled tens of billions of dollars since February 2022.

That commitment has led to tension between him and Zelenskyy, and Trump ridiculed the politician as a "modestly successful comedian" in a Truth Social post last week.

"A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left," Trump’s post reads. "In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring Peace, and Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going."

"I love Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has done a terrible job, his Country is shattered, and MILLIONS have unnecessarily died – And so it continues….."

TRUMP SET TO MEET WITH WORLD LEADERS IN DC DURING BUSY WEEK AS RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE TALKS CONTINUE

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously lauded the potential pact in a Sunday interview on "Sunday Morning Futures."

"The first part of this is a partnership between Ukraine and the U.S. that involves strategic minerals, energy and state-owned enterprises, where we set up a partnership, and we are only looking forward," Bessent said.

"We make money if the Ukrainian people make money, and I believe that with the United States of America, our businesses are willing to come in and provide capital that we can accelerate the Ukrainian growth trajectory and take in substantial monies for the U.S. taxpayers and get the Ukrainian economy on a great growth trajectory."

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was open to cooperating with the U.S. if Trump signals interest in mining minerals in Russia and Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.

"Russia is one of the undisputed leaders in terms of reserves of these rare and rare-earth metals," Putin said during an interview on Russian state television. "These are quite capital-intensive investments, capital-intensive projects. We would be happy to work together with any foreign partners, including American ones."

Reuters and Fox News Digital’s Taylor Penley, Brooke Singman and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly agreed to a draft of a minerals deal with the White House on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian leader plans to travel to D.C. on Friday to meet with President Donald Trump after the officials agreed to the terms of the deal, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The agreement would allow for U.S. access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously lauded the potential pact in a Sunday interview on "Sunday Morning Futures."

"The first part of this is a partnership between Ukraine and the U.S. that involves strategic minerals, energy and state-owned enterprises, where we set up a partnership, and we are only looking forward," Bessent said.

"We make money if the Ukrainian people make money, and I believe that with the United States of America, our businesses are willing to come in and provide capital that we can accelerate the Ukrainian growth trajectory and take in substantial monies for the U.S. taxpayers and get the Ukrainian economy on a great growth trajectory."

TRUMP SAYS DEAL WITH UKRAINE FOR US ACCESS TO ITS RARE EARTH MINERALS IS ‘PRETTY CLOSE’

This breaking news story is still developing. Check back with us for updates.

Reuters contributed to this report.

NATO ally Poland on Tuesday deployed "military aviation" to its skies in response to strikes Russia launched at Ukrainian towns near the war-torn nation’s western borders. 

Warsaw’s Operational Command confirmed in a post on X that Polish airspace was not violated in the attacks and that the long-range Russian strikes had ceased by Tuesday afternoon, though it is not the first time a NATO nation has had to scramble warplanes to counter Russian threats in recent weeks. 

While Russia has long employed a brutal campaign of aerial bombardments to hit Ukraine, including long-range strikes, the last attacks came one day after a U.S. nuclear-capable B-52 bomber reportedly flew from the U.K. to Estonia before circling back by way of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland — all of which border Russia, Ukraine or both. 

'TRUMP EFFECT' ON DISPLAY AS UK'S STARMER BOOSTS DEFENSE SPENDING ON EVE OF US VISIT

Reports suggested the bomber, which was flanked by F-35s and F-A18 fighter jets, flew over the Estonian capital city of Tallin to mark Estonia’s Independence Day, though it also coincided with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s air force on Tuesday said on Telegram that Russia had fired some 213 drones and seven missiles into Ukraine. Six of the missiles and 133 drones were reportedly shot down.

The attack also came just days after Russia launched its largest-ever drone strike against Ukraine, firing 267 UAV’s across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. 

Poland said it "is constantly monitoring the situation in the territory of Ukraine and remains in constant readiness to ensure the security of Polish airspace."

Warsaw also pledged an additional $210 million in military aid to Ukraine on Tuesday, its 46th military aid package since the invasion began, bringing its support to roughly $4 billion in aid. 

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz did not confirm what arms would be included in the package, though he did note it will encompass training for troops. 

US VOTES AGAINST CONDEMNING RUSSIA FOR UKRAINE WAR AS TRUMP ADMIN CHASES PEACE DEAL

"We will train the Ukrainian military," the minister said, reported the Kyiv Independent. "Out of 80-90,000 soldiers trained by the EU countries, Poland has trained about a third – 28,000 soldiers."

Western leaders and allied nations, like Japan and Turkey, on Monday descended upon Kyiv for a summit in support of Ukraine on the third anniversary of the start of the war. 

According to a post on X by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, "Over 40 leaders of states, institutions, and international organizations, both in person and online, have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and Ukrainians."

"New aid packages have been announced: weapons, air defense systems, financial and humanitarian assistance, investments in defense production, and sanctions against the aggressor," he added. 

Zelenskyy’s post was accompanied by the flags of 36 other nations who were represented at the summit, and notably, the American flag was not listed, highlighting the divisions that have erupted between Kyiv and Washington since the Trump administration re-entered the White House. 

Though special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. General Keith Kellogg, was in Ukraine last week and met with Zelenskyy, it does not appear any American representative was present for the summit.

The only other NATO nations not to attend the summit were Portugal, North Macedonia and Hungary, while non-NATO nations like Austria, Ireland and Malta were present. 

"Our unity with all who value freedom and life remains unshakable," Zelenskyy said. "Support for Ukraine does not stop, and together we are bringing closer the day when true peace for Ukraine will be restored. We thank everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people."

Pope Francis remains in critical but stable condition after undergoing a CT scan on Tuesday, the Vatican announced.

Vatican officials say the pope, 88, returned to work in the evening, making a phone call to the parish priest of Gaza. He also expressed gratitude for "all the people of God who have gathered to pray for his health in recent days."

"The Holy Father’s condition remains critical, but stable. No acute respiratory episodes have occurred and the hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable," the Vatican said in a statement, translated from Italian.

"In the evening, he underwent a scheduled control CT scan for radiological monitoring of bilateral pneumonia. The prognosis remains reserved. In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work," the statement continued.

POPE FRANCIS SHARES WRITTEN MESSAGE WHILE CONTINUING HOSPITALIZATION

Francis was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14 after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened. Doctors first diagnosed the complex viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory tract infection and subsequently the onset of pneumonia in both lungs.

Late Sunday, doctors said blood tests revealed "early, slight kidney insufficiency" but that it remained under control. The doctors said Francis remained in critical condition but had not experienced any further respiratory crises since Saturday evening.

POPE FRANCIS HAD PEACEFUL NIGHT'S REST AT HOSPITAL FOLLOWING RESPIRATORY CRISIS, VATICAN SAYS

Francis, who had part of one lung removed when he was younger, was receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen, and received two blood transfusions on Sunday to increase hemoglobin levels. Doctors said his prognosis was guarded.

The pope was alert and responsive on Sunday and attended Mass.

Francis' condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease, doctors said. The main threat to Francis, doctors warned, is sepsis, a serious infection of the blood that can arise as a complication of pneumonia.

Tuesday is Francis' 11th day in the hospital, exceeding the longest hospitalization of his papacy. He spent 10 days at Gemelli Hospital in 2021 after he had 13 inches of his colon removed.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan said Sunday in New York that the Catholic faithful were united "at the bedside of a dying father," an acknowledgment of Francis' short time left that church leaders in Rome have not said publicly.

Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report.

The United Kingdom took steps on Tuesday to ramp up its defense spending ahead of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s meeting with President Donald Trump this week.

Starmer said that in the face of continued Russian aggression against Ukraine and, by extension, Europe, the UK will increase its defense spending to 2.5% of its gross domestic value, up from the 2.3% it currently spends – an increase that amounts to £13.4 billion, or nearly $17 billion more each year on defense.

In addition, Starmer said the UK will continue to increase its defense spending goal to reach 3% of its GDP during the next Parliament, which, barring any snap election, will begin after 2029.

GERMANY’S NEW CONSERVATIVE LEADER LOOKS TO ‘ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE’ FROM US

Starmer’s announcement not only comes two days ahead of his planned visit with Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, but as European leaders are increasingly calling for drastic increases in defense spending to decrease their reliance on the U.S. and counter Russia.

"At moments like these in our past, Britain has stood up to be counted [on]. It has come together, and it has demonstrated strength," Starmer said in an address to Parliament. "That is what the security of our country needs now, and it is what this government will deliver." 

Starmer’s push to increase defense spending was not met with approval by all UK lawmakers.

Some took issue with how the prime minister found the funds to support his spending increases, as it will mean cutting overseas support for development aid from 0.5% of the UK's gross domestic product to 0.3% over the next two years. 

Member of Parliament (MP) Charolette Cane told Starmer that while she backed the UK’s continued support of Ukraine, she said cutting international aid that helps bring stability to vulnerable populations was "hugely short-sided."

UKRAINE ENTERS FOURTH YEAR OF WAR WITH RUSSIA: ‘CLOSER TO THE BEGINNING THAN WE ARE TO THE END’

"Helping communities be stable and secure reduces the risk of war and unrest," she argued in the House of Commons following the prime minister’s announcement. However, Starmer argued it was a decision he had to make to avoid getting into a battle over how the UK would meet this spending increase. 

"I’m certainly not pretending it’s a decision I wanted to make as prime minister," Starmer said in response. "It’s a decision that I’m driven to make because of the security and safety of our country and our continent."

MP Jim Shannon, on the other hand, looked to remind his fellow parliamentary members that during the Cold War the UK spent 7% of its GPD on defense and called on Starmer to clarify how his discussions with the U.S. had been taking shape.

Starmer said he has held "a number of conversations" with Trump and that U.S.-UK teams are in continual conversations. 

"We must reject any false choice between our allies, between one side of the Atlantic or the other. That is against our history – country and party – because it is against our fundamental national interest," he said in a nod to concern that there are increasing divisions between the U.S. and European allies. 

"It has survived countless external challenges in the past. We’ve fought wars together, we’re the closest partners in trade, growth and security," he added.

"This week when I meet President Trump I will be clear – I want this relationship to go from strength to strength." 

As Egypt reportedly rejects President Donald Trump’s resettlement proposal, citing the need to protect the Palestinian cause and its national security while coordinating with Arab leaders on an alternative plan, voices from war-ravaged Gaza say they want out.

Gazans, desperate to escape, told Fox News Digital they support President Donald Trump’s relocation proposal – to turn Gaza into a "Riviera of the Middle East" after emptying it of its more than 2 million Palestinians – though it remains unclear if they would be allowed to return. Many Gazans say they want to leave – if only the borders would open.

"I will be living in tents for 10 years. Egypt was responsible for rebuilding Gaza after past wars – and you can still see some of the rubble from the Israeli military campaign in 2008. I’d rather leave and gain 10 years of life than wait for some plan to be implemented while I live in a tent," said Walid, a 29-year-old from Nuseirat Camp in northern Gaza, told Fox News Digital via WhatsApp in an interview facilitated by the Center for Peace Communications (CPC).

THE HISTORY OF GAZA AMID TRUMP'S PLAN TO REBUILD ENCLAVE

Walid, like many others, said that even before the war, Gazans were trying to leave – not because they wanted to abandon their homeland, but because they saw no future under Hamas rule.

Egypt, which has taken the lead in crafting a three- to four-year reconstruction plan, refuses to accept Palestinian refugees, keeping the Rafah crossing closed while preventing mass movement out of Gaza. Hamas, meanwhile, continues to exert military control while inflicting terror, despite being unable to provide basic governance, making life for civilians unbearable. 

A man standing before the rubble of his former home, interviewed and filmed by CPC, explained his desperation, "If I left today, I’d be better off. You want me to live in these ruins? If you brought a cat here, it would run away – let alone a person."

A woman in Gaza, her face blurred, like so many others afraid of speaking up against Hamas, spoke of a suffocating existence, telling CPC, "People feel like prisoners. There's no way to get out. That has created a state of frustration and despair."

One man near Gaza’s coastline, standing against the stark contrast between the sea and the destruction behind him, said: "Three-quarters of those who returned from displacement camps went south again because there are no houses left. I won’t stay here because there will be disease. Our situation is miserable. Anyone who says otherwise is fooling themselves."

Another man, also filmed near the sea by CPC, said, "Forgive my language, but even dogs can’t live in northern Gaza. There’s no water, no electricity, no infrastructure at all."

'LEVEL IT': TRUMP SAYS US WILL 'TAKE OVER' GAZA STRIP, REBUILD IT TO STABILIZE MIDDLE EAST

Joseph Braude, founder of CPC, a nonprofit that supports peace activists seeking freedom from terrorist domination of their societies, said: "Gazans are trapped by Hamas in unlivable conditions. It is unconscionable for anyone to ignore the desperate pleas of the men, women and children who want to voluntarily leave Gaza. These Gazans support President Trump’s call to open the border so they can pursue a better life free of war and destruction. If Hamas opened the border, the world would see a mass exodus comparable to the fall of the Berlin Wall."

With no homes left, no functioning government and no guarantee that war won’t erupt again, some Gazans are daring to voice their support for Trump’s proposal, which would allow them to relocate to other countries, including Egypt and Jordan, at least for the decade-long rebuilding process estimated by U.S. officials. This is despite the dangers of speaking out against Hamas.

Raji Sourani, a leading rights lawyer from Gaza, criticized Trump’s stance in an interview with the Associated Press, "This is the first time in history that a U.S. president speaks publicly and frankly about committing one of the most serious crimes," he said.

Walid dismissed the claim that Trump’s plan amounts to "ethnic cleansing," a phrase widely used in the international media. "Even those who are against the plan know Gaza won’t be empty. The ones pushing this propaganda are the same ones who supported Oct. 7. They try to spread slogans like ‘We are resisting, staying forever.’ But the people who are not involved in politics won’t oppose an idea that could finally end this war for them."

Despite the widespread suffering, Hamas refuses to relinquish control. Mohamad, a displaced father in Gaza City, described a lawless society where Hamas fighters only appear when releasing hostages or suppressing dissent. Like many others, Mohamad is waiting for any corridor to open so he can escape.

"If they open the gate, half of Gaza will leave," he told Fox News Digital. "The other half will stay, but not because they love Hamas. Some will stay because they still have a house, a job, or family members who can’t leave."

As post-war plans for Gaza take shape, Mohamad’s question remains: "If Gazans want to leave, why won’t anyone let them?"

Taiwan's coast guard (CGA) detained the Chinese crew of a Togolese-registered vessel suspected of severing an undersea fiber optic cable connecting the islands of Taiwan and Penghu on Tuesday.

The CGA says the vessel, the Hong Tai 168, had been loitering within roughly 925 meters of the cable since 7 p.m. local time on Feb. 22. A coast guard vessel was dispatched to the ship at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, demanding that the vessel leave the area, Taiwan's state-owned media said.

Coast guard officials received confirmation that the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 undersea cable had been cut at 3 a.m. Tuesday, and they began efforts to detain the ship's Chinese crew. All eight crewmembers were Chinese nationals, according to the coast guard.

Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs confirmed that communications were diverted to other cables following the incident and that there was no disruption to service.

TAIWAN FM HAILS IMPORTANCE OF US RELATIONSHIP, SAYS GROUP VISITS 'CONTRIBUTE TO PEACE AND STABILITY'

The coast guard classified the incident as potential "gray zone" activity by China. The term refers to hostile actions that do not amount to an act of war.

Taiwan's government says it will investigate the incident.

The incident comes roughly a week after Chinese officials expressed frustration with President Donald Trump's administration for removing language on the State Department's website opposing Taiwan's independence.

TRUMP MUST DUMP 'ONE CHINA' POLICY AND RECOGNIZE 'FREE' TAIWAN, HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY

Prior to Trump taking office, the State Department's fact sheet on U.S. relations with Taiwan had previously stated "we do not support Taiwan independence," but the phrase was removed earlier this month and continues to be absent. Chinese officials called on the U.S. to "immediately correct its wrongdoing," on Sunday, arguing it "sends a wrong signal to the Taiwan independence forces."

The State Department noted in a statement to NBC News that the U.S. stance on Taiwanese independence has not changed, however.

The U.S. has long held a delicate stance regarding Taiwan and its relation to the Chinese mainland. It has for decades followed the "One China" policy, in which the U.S. recognizes Beijing as the sole government of China, and acknowledges but does not affirm Beijing's claim to control over Taiwan.

Part of this understanding requires the U.S. to not have any formal diplomatic ties to Taiwan, a policy reflected in the lack of a U.S. embassy on the island.

Nevertheless, the U.S. has funded Taiwan's defense and worked with Western nations to prevent mainland China from taking over. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated that he is open to using military force to conquer the island.

Taiwan, which has its own democratically elected government, maintains that it is its own independent country. Taiwan first became a self-governed island after pro-democracy forces fled there in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong and his Chinese Communist Party.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow is willing to consider cooperating with the U.S. in mining rare earth minerals both in Russia and parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine.

Putin, in an interview broadcast on Russian state television Monday, emphasized Russia’s vast deposits of rare-earth minerals and their importance for the Russian economy but said his nation needs to do more to capitalize on its resources. He also said he is open to making an energy deal with the U.S.

His comments come as the Trump administration seeks to recoup the cost of aid sent to Ukraine by gaining access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, such as titanium, iron, and uranium, as part of a peace deal.

"Russia is one of the undisputed leaders in terms of reserves of these rare and rare-earth metals," Putin told state media correspondent Pavel Zarubin. "These are quite capital-intensive investments, capital-intensive projects. We would be happy to work together with any foreign partners, including American ones."

TRUMP OFFICIAL SAYS UKRAINE MINERAL DEAL IS 'WIN-WIN' FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TAXPAYERS, UKRAINIANS

Putin said that Russia would be willing to sell about 2 million tons of aluminum to the US market if the US lifted sanctions restricting the import of Russian metals. He said the move could help stabilize prices. 

He said that in 2017, Russia supplied about 15% of all American aluminum imports. Today, however, U.S. imports of Russian aluminum have dipped at least threefold due to sanctions. 

Putin also said a deal could be reached on Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, which he referred to as "new territories."

"As for the new territories – the same applies: we are ready to attract foreign partners, and our so-called new historical territories, which have returned to the Russian Federation, also have certain reserves there," Putin said. "We are ready to work with our foreign partners, including American ones, there as well."

Putin also said that he is also willing to negotiate with the U.S. on Russian energy.

"There is much to think about here, as well as joint work on rare and rare-earth metals, and in other areas, including, for example, energy," Putin said.

His comments came on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A war that has killed thousands of civilians and displaced millions.

President Donald Trump suggested the war could end within weeks and wants to make a deal on Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.

The president, from the Oval Office Monday, hinted at a potential meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to finalize an agreement for rights to access its natural resources in exchange for the United States billions of dollars in support for the country's war against Russia.

TRUMP SAYS DEAL WITH UKRAINE FOR US ACCESS TO ITS RARE EARTH MINERALS IS ‘PRETTY CLOSE’

"In fact, he may come in this week or next week to sign the agreement, which would be nice, I'd love to meet him. Would meet at the Oval Office," Trump said. "The agreement is being worked on now." 

"They are very close to a final deal," said the president, who was meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office on Monday. 

Trump said the deal is "very beneficial to their economy," while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added it is "very close." 

Trump’s comments come just after he posted on Truth Social that he was in "serious discussions" with Putin about ending the Russia-Ukraine war. 

The president on Monday also predicted that the Russia-Ukraine war could end within weeks and that Putin would accept allowing European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as part of a potential peace deal. 

Trump administration officials, including White House national security advisor Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, recently with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs advisor Yuri Ushakov to hash out ways to end the conflict. 

Ukraine was absent from the negotiations in Saudi Arabia, a move that irked Zelenskyy.

The United States voted against a United Nations resolution laying blame on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and demanding Moscow remove its troops from Ukrainian territory, as the Trump administration is chasing a peace deal between both sides. 

Russia and North Korea joined the U.S. in voting against the Europe-backed Ukrainian resolution, which cleared the General Assembly by 93-18 with 65 abstentions.  

The U.S. then abstained from voting on its own competing resolution after Europeans, led by France, succeeded in amending it to make clear Russia was the aggressor. That resolution passed 93-8 with 73 abstentions, with Ukraine voting "yes," the U.S. abstaining, and Russia voting "no." 

The voting unfolded on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and as Trump was hosting French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington. 

US-UKRAINE RIFT BREAKS OUT AT UNITED NATIONS ON 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF WAR 

The U.S. then pushed for a vote on its original draft in the more powerful U.N. Security Council, where resolutions are legally binding, and it has veto power along with Russia, China, Britain and France. The vote in the 15-member council was 10-0 with five European countries abstaining – Britain, France, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia. 

President Donald Trump on Monday teased a possible meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

He also said "a lot of progress has been made" toward ending the war after Macron joined him at the White House for a call with Group of Seven (G7) leaders. 

"President Macron is a very special man in my book," Trump told reporters while sitting next to the French president. "We were together. We did it together. And I think a lot of progress has been made. We've had some very good talks with Russia. We've had some very good talks with others and we're trying to get the war ended with Russia and Ukraine." 

ISRAEL’S AMBASSADOR SLAMS UN’S SILENCE ON HAMAS: ‘HAS NO RESOLUTIONS’ 

The U.S.-drafted resolution presented to the U.N. on Monday acknowledged "the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict" and "implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia," but never mentioned Moscow’s aggression. 

In a surprise move, France proposed three amendments, which added that the conflict was the result of a "full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation." The amendments reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, and call for peace that respects the U.N. Charter. 

Both assembly resolutions were supported by U.S. allies in Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, its neighbors Canada and Mexico and European countries, with the exception of Hungary. 

U.S. deputy ambassador Dorothy Shea said Monday that multiple previous U.N. resolutions condemning Russia and demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops "have failed to stop the war," which "has now dragged on for far too long and at far too terrible a cost to the people in Ukraine and Russia and beyond." 

In the Security Council, Russia used its veto to prevent European amendments to the U.S. resolution. 

Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the U.S. resolution is "a step in the right direction, a common-sense initiative which reflects the will of the new administration in the White House to really contribute to the peaceful settlement in the conflict," according to the Washington Post. 

Fox News’ Morgan Phillips, Alec Schemmel and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

An American woman was arrested in Paris after she allegedly threw a newborn baby out of a hotel window, according to reports.

The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the incident, first reported by local outlet Paris Match, with the New York Post on Monday. The child was thrown out of the window earlier that morning.

The fall reportedly took place from a second-floor window. The newborn was given emergency medical care but did not survive.

The hotel is located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, a neighborhood popular with tourists seeking to visit the Père Lachaise Cemetery, where Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin and other notable people are buried.

LAW STUDENT KILLED BY ELEPHANT DURING VACATION TO THAILAND: OFFICIALS

The American woman, who is currently detained, was allegedly part of a group of young adults traveling in Europe. The Paris Match described her as being part of a "study trip."

Officials are investigating the case as a possible instance of "pregnancy denial," in which a woman is unaware of her pregnancy or unable to accept it. 

EXPERT WARNS AMERICANS ABOUT ELEPHANT TOURISM AFTER YOUNG STUDENT IS KILLED IN THAILAND: 'RECIPE FOR DISASTER'

Paris' Child Protection Brigade was assigned to the case, which will be investigated as a homicide, according to NEXSTAR.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Paris prosecutor's office for additional comment.

Authorities are actively investigating the incident. No additional details are known at this time.

UNITED NATIONS — Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon is demanding the international body break its silence on Hamas’ atrocities not only on Oct. 7, 2023, but in the months since then, as released hostages detail the brutal conditions in which they were held.

"We demand justice for all of them to come back, and the U.N. should pass a resolution condemning Hamas," Danon said while speaking to the press on Monday. "Since October 7 it never happened."

Since the attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, which kicked off the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the U.N .has passed several resolutions regarding Israel, but not one condemning Hamas by name.

"The U.N. has held countless emergency meetings on Israel, it has passed endless resolutions, but when terrorists massacred a baby and a child and then mutilated them, the U.N. has no resolutions to offer," Danon said.

Danon’s demand comes days after Israel received the bodies of Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas and Oded Lifshitz.

ISRAEL'S UN AMBASSADOR SLAMS HAMAS' 'EVIL AND DEPRAVED' DISPLAY OF HOSTAGES' COFFINS

In response to a Fox News Digital request for comment, the U.N. secretary-general's spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said that "even in the absence of such resolution on Hamas, the Secretary-General has clearly and explicitly condemned Hamas terror actions more than 100 times in public speeches or statements since October 7th."

"We have been very clear, including last week in my briefings, that we condemn the parading of bodies and displaying of the coffins of the deceased hostages, including the Bibas family, in the manner it was done by Hamas, which is both abhorrent and appalling," Dujarric added.

When asked to comment on Israel’s assessment of how the Bibas children were killed, Durjarric said, "It is vital that a full accounting be done on how the two children were killed."

The IDF spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said forensic evidence shows that those who murdered the two boys did so "with their bare hands." Danon referenced the brutal murder in his remarks, adding that the perpetrators mutilated the two young boys’ bodies to make it look as though they had been killed in an airstrike, something Hamas claimed in November 2023.

During a memorial for the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz, an emotional Danon said, "This is a grief that will echo throughout Jewish history. We will never forget. We will never forgive."

US-UKRAINE RIFT BREAKS OUT AT UNITED NATIONS ON 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR

The memorial event, which opened with a video montage of the Bibas family before and during the Oct. 7 attacks, also included remarks by Argentina's U.N. Ambassador Francisco Fabián Tropepi. 

"We cannot allow these atrocities to be forgotten. We cannot allow those responsible to remain unpunished," Tropepi said. "What happened on October 7 was not just another attack in the history of this conflict, it was an act of terrorism of unprecedented brutality."

The Bibas family held both Israeli and Argentinean citizenship. Argentine President Javier Milei declared two days of mourning for the slain mother and her children.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Milei in a post on X, saying the declaration "should serve as an inspiration to all leaders of the civilized world."

"We will not stop raising our voice until every hostage still in Gaza is brought home, until the terrorists of Hamas are defeated, until the world fully understands the magnitude of horror these people endured," Tropepi said.