Qatari capital Doha is mediating negotiations between Israel and Hamas with Egypt and the US. Witkoff, a representative, expressed hope for progress by the time Trump takes office, warning that failure to release hostages would lead to chaos in the Middle East. The conflict has resulted in over 45,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, and displaced nearly all of Gaza's population, leaving much of its territory in ruins.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/israel-hamas-ceasefire-trump-envoy-heads-to-qatar-says-well-have-some-good-things-to-announce-13851081.htmlMediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the US have been engaged in talks between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza, but progress has been slow. The negotiations, which resumed in Doha, have been ongoing for months with no resolution in sight. Despite previous optimism that momentum was returning to the talks following Donald Trump's election victory, the process has stalled due to issues such as new conditions set by Israel and obstacles raised by Hamas.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/mediator-qatar-confirms-technical-meetings-on-gaza-truce-ongoing/article69073848.eceThe international community is struggling to formulate a plan for Gaza after more than a year of war, with diplomats citing a lack of detail from recent talks between Israel and the UAE. The UAE is advocating for a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem under an independent Palestinian state, which Israel has publicly opposed. The PA was established in 1993-1995 but was run out of Gaza by Hamas after a civil war in 2007. The US State Department has been discussing options for governance, security, and reconstruction with partners including the UAE, but declined to comment on private diplomatic conversations. Some diplomats have suggested that Emirati officials proposed using private military contractors as part of a post-war peacekeeping force in Gaza, which would likely spark concerns among Western nations due to past allegations of human rights abuses.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1961286/uae-discusses-post-war-gaza-government-with-us-and-israelThe US, Qatar, and Egypt are making efforts to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza, with the outgoing US administration pushing for a final push before President Joe Biden leaves office. The deal would involve the release of Palestinians held in Israeli jails and potentially include the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. However, Israel's military campaign has caused widespread destruction and displacement, with over 46,000 Palestinians killed and most of Gaza's 2.1 million people displaced multiple times due to acute shortages of food and medicine. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that families are struggling to survive in damaged tents with up to 30 cm of water, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/israeli-strikes-kill-dozens-in-gaza-amid-stepped-up-ceasefire-push/article69076916.eceUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Japan, where a decision by Nippon Steel to cut ties with a US company weighs heavily on relations between the two countries. This visit comes as part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to strengthen ties with its allies and partners, a shift from the previous administration under President Trump who had considered using military force in certain regions. Blinken is also set to meet with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to discuss the Middle East, including Syria where rebel forces recently toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. Additionally, Blinken will work towards securing a ceasefire in Gaza and engage in indirect diplomacy between Israel and Hamas alongside the US and Qatar.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341684/antony-blinken-in-paris-to-discuss-mideast-receive-honourHamas has refused to accept any cease-fire agreements proposed by mediators, insisting that Israel must agree to a permanent end to the war and withdrawal from Gaza before releasing the 97 hostages being held captive. The group's stance is in direct opposition to Israel's position, which has deemed these demands non-negotiable. As a result, Israelis are urging their government and Hamas to reach an agreement to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
https://nypost.com/2025/01/07/world-news/hamas-threatens-to-prosecute-blinken-as-a-partner-in-the-war-of-extermination/The Israeli army has launched strikes against Hamas militants operating from a school in Jabalia, despite efforts by international mediators from the US, Egypt and Qatar to achieve a ceasefire. The conflict, which began 15 months ago, has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths. Israel is demanding that Hamas be dismantled and all hostages released, while Hamas is calling for an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Meanwhile, health authorities in Gaza have warned that hospitals may shut down due to fuel restrictions, but a limited supply has been received, allowing them to continue operating temporarily.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/940221-22-killed-in-gaza-after-israeli-airstrikes-peace-deal-soughtPresident-elect Donald Trump held a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, where he discussed several topics including hostages held by Hamas. Trump's pick for Middle East envoy, Steven Witkoff, reported that progress had been made in negotiations to secure the release of the hostages, citing President Joe Biden's reputation as a driving force behind the talks. Trump warned that if the hostages were not released before his inauguration, "all hell would break out" in the Middle East, which would be detrimental to Hamas and others involved.
US President Donald Trump warned Hamas that if American hostages are not released by January 20, "all hell will break out in the Middle East". He made this statement at a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steven Charles Witkoff, who recently returned from the region, said negotiations with Hamas were making progress and that he was hopeful for a resolution by the time of Trump's inauguration. Witkoff noted that Trump's stature and reputation are driving the negotiation process.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trumps-deadline-to-hamas-on-release-of-israeli-hostages-in-gaza-7424097