Exclusive: Thailand rejects international mediation to end fighting with Cambodia
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Gaza truce talks expected to resume next week as Israel studies Hamas response, Egypt’s Al Qahera news says
Israeli delegation left one day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled the negotiating team for consultations. Israeli ally the United States also recalled its delegation from the talks for consultations on Thursday. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of failing to act in good faith in the talks.
July 25 (Reuters) – Gaza ceasefire talks are expected to resume next week following Israel’s review of the response by Palestinian Hamas militants, Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said on Friday, citing an Egyptian source.
Al Qahera said the Israeli delegation left one day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled the negotiating team for consultations.
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Close Israeli ally the United States also recalled its delegation from the talks for consultations on Thursday, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of failing to act in good faith in the talks.
Hamas said it was surprised by Witkoff’s remarks, adding that the group’s position had been welcomed by mediators and had opened the door to reaching a comprehensive agreement.
Both sides face mounting pressure at home and abroad to reach a deal following almost two years of shattering war , with the humanitarian situation inside Gaza deteriorating sharply amidst acute hunger that has shocked the world, and Israelis worried about the conditions in which hostages are held.
Reporting by Jana Choukeir; editing by Alison Williams and Mark Heinrich
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Thailand rejects international mediation to end fighting with Cambodia
ASEAN, the US, and China have offered to help resolve the conflict, but Thailand insists Cambodia must stop violence first. Simmering border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared into open hostilities at multiple locations along the frontline. At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade. Cambodia has asked the United Nations Security Council to convene a meeting on the issue, condemning what he called “unprovoked and premeditated military aggression” by Thailand. The body has said it will hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the issue on Friday.
BANGKOK: Thailand has rejected mediation efforts from third countries to end the ongoing conflict with Cambodia, insisting that Phnom Penh cease attacks and resolve the situation only through bilateral talks, its foreign ministry said on Friday.
AI Brief Fighting erupted at multiple border sites, killing at least 16 people, mostly Thai civilians, in the worst violence in over a decade.
Thailand prefers bilateral talks while Cambodia seeks UN intervention, accusing Thailand of military aggression.
ASEAN, the US, and China have offered to help resolve the conflict, but Thailand insists Cambodia must stop violence first. Simmering border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared into open hostilities at multiple locations along the frontline, with exchanges of artillery for a second straight day.
At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.
The United States, China and Malaysia, which is the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, have offered to facilitate dialogue but Bangkok is seeking a bilateral solution to the conflict, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters.
“I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet,” Nikorndej said in an interview.
Cambodia and Thailand accuse each other of starting the conflict early on Thursday at a disputed site, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling along a border where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.
“We stand by our position that bilateral mechanism is the best way out, this is a confrontation between the two countries,” Nikorndej said, adding that the Cambodian side must stop violence along the border first.
“Our doors are still open.”
Cambodia’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its Prime Minister Hun Manet asked the United Nations Security Council on Thursday to convene a meeting on the issue, condemning what he called “unprovoked and premeditated military aggression” by Thailand.
The body has said it will hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the issue on Friday.
The fighting broke out a day after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers.
Thai authorities allege the mines had been laid recently by Cambodia, a charge dismissed by Phnom Penh as baseless.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of 10-nation ASEAN of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members, said on Thursday he had spoken to the leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful resolution.
“If the ASEAN family wants to facilitate a return to constructive bilateral negotiations, that’s welcome as well,” Nikorndej said.
Exclusive: Thailand rejects international mediation to end fighting with Cambodia
At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade. The United States, China and Malaysia, which is the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, have offered to facilitate dialogue. Bangkok is seeking a bilateral solution to the conflict, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. The fighting broke out a day after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers. The U.N. Security Council has said it will hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the issue on Friday.
Simmering border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared into open hostilities at multiple locations along the frontline, with exchanges of artillery for a second straight day
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At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.
The United States, China and Malaysia, which is the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, have offered to facilitate dialogue but Bangkok is seeking a bilateral solution to the conflict, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters.
“I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet,” Nikorndej said in an interview.
Cambodia and Thailand accuse each other of starting the conflict early on Thursday at a disputed site, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling along a border where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century
“We stand by our position that bilateral mechanism is the best way out, this is a confrontation between the two countries,” Nikorndej said, adding that the Cambodian side must stop violence along the border first.
A Thai military mobile unit fires towards Cambodia’s side after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Surin, Thailand, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab
“Our doors are still open.”
Cambodia’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its Prime Minister Hun Manet asked the United Nations Security Council on Thursday to convene a meeting on the issue, condemning what he called “unprovoked and premeditated military aggression” by Thailand.
The body has said it will hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the issue on Friday.
The fighting broke out a day after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled Cambodia’s envoy, in response to landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers.
Thai authorities allege the mines had been laid recently by Cambodia, a charge dismissed by Phnom Penh as baseless.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of 10-nation ASEAN of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members, said on Thursday he had spoken to the leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful resolution.
“If the ASEAN family wants to facilitate a return to constructive bilateral negotiations, that’s welcome as well,” Nikorndej said.
Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Editing by Devjyot Ghoshal and Raju Gopalakrishnan
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Thailand rejects international mediation to end fighting with Cambodia
Thailand has rejected mediation efforts from third countries to end the ongoing conflict with Cambodia. At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.
Thailand has rejected mediation efforts from third countries to end the ongoing conflict with Cambodia, insisting that Phnom Penh cease attacks and resolve the situation only through bilateral talks, its foreign ministry said on Friday, Reuters reported.
Simmering border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared into open hostilities at multiple locations along the frontline, with exchanges of artillery for a second straight day.
At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.
The United States, China and Malaysia, which is the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, have offered to facilitate dialogue but Bangkok is seeking a bilateral solution to the conflict, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters.
Thailand rejects international mediation to end fighting with Cambodia
At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade. The United States, China and Malaysia, which is the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, have offered to facilitate dialogue. Bangkok is seeking a bilateral solution to the conflict, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. “I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet,” he said.
:: July 25, 2025
:: Bangkok, Thailand
:: Nikorndej Balankura,
Spokesperson, Thai foreign ministry
“It’s premature for me to say how long the conflict would end. You know, Thailand wants the conflict to end as soon as possible”
“Well, we stand by our position that, you know, bilateral mechanism is the best way out, this is a confrontation and between the two countries. Our doors are still open. But first of all, before anything, the cessation of violence, the Cambodian side must stop.”
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“A lot of our allies, our friends, you know, countries like the United States, China, has called us. And to verify the facts and showed concern. And they did as they did offer that if needed, they are ready to help facilitate dialogues. In our position on this is that we don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet. If anything, we are ready to use the ASEAN mechanism at this point.”
“I have faith in peaceful resolution. I have faith in Thailand’s commitment. As for Cambodia, I call on them to match our faith. And that would be the end of all the violence.”
Simmering border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared into open hostilities at multiple locations along the frontline, with exchanges of artillery for a second straight day.
At least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have died so far in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.
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The United States, China and Malaysia, which is the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, have offered to facilitate dialogue but Bangkok is seeking a bilateral solution to the conflict, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters.
“I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet,” Nikorndej said in an interview.
Cambodia and Thailand accuse each other of starting the conflict early on Thursday at a disputed site, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling along a border where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.