THE United Nations Security Council has agreed to extend the deadline of the cease-fire order in Palestine until 4 p.m. (GMT) today [May 26], says a Reuter message from London. The action of the Council gives the Arabs a 48 hours’ extension, providing time for discussions due to take place … at Amman, capital of Transjordan. Meanwhile, fighting continues.

It was authoritatively reported in Washing­ton late yesterday that the Arabs would agree to a truce eventually, but only on condition that the Jews renounce their new state and return to the military and political position as on May 15. Late yesterday it was reported that the Arabs would seek a 36 hours’ extension — supported by the British — and that the leaders of the five Arab nations now invading Palestine would meet today to discuss the Council’s cease-fire. Semi-official sources in Damascus said yesterday that the Arabs meeting at Amman, Transjordan today would lay the basis for discussion of a truce, and that they were expected to repeat their offer to join the Jews in the establishment of a unitary state. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2023