Gaza Strip

Ali Shaath, head of the Palestinian National Committee for Gaza Governance, officially assumed his duties by signing the NCAG Mission Statement. The committee's activities are based on a UN resolution and Donald Trump's peace plan.

The Trump administration is developing a 'Peace Council' project as an alternative to the UN. Countries can obtain permanent membership for a one-time payment of $1 billion.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has protested against the composition of the executive council for governing the Gaza Strip, which was unveiled by the White House. Israel did not approve this composition, which contradicts its official policy.

The Trump administration has appointed members of the executive board of the "Peace Council" for Gaza, which will ensure the region's transition from ceasefire to reconstruction and demilitarization. Its members include Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Ajay Banga, and Tony Blair.

Trump's team is developing the concept of a "Peace Council" to monitor and implement a future agreement to end the war in Ukraine. This body, led by the US president, would coordinate the management of the enclave, borrowing a model from the peace plan for the Gaza Strip.

Donald Trump confirmed the transition to the next phase of his "20-point plan" for the Gaza Strip, which involves the transfer of power to the National Committee and demilitarization. He issued an ultimatum to Hamas regarding disarmament and the return of hostages.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed at least 10 people, including senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials. This happened against the backdrop of a fragile truce that has been in effect since October 2025.

Hamas will dissolve its administration in Gaza after a Palestinian technocratic governing committee takes control of the region. This is a requirement of a US-brokered plan for the enclave.

On January 11, three Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli strikes. The Israeli army stated that it had eliminated "terrorists" who posed a threat.

The IDF has developed plans to resume hostilities in Gaza in March 2026. The operation depends on the Trump administration's stance and aims to disarm Hamas.

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 71,384 as of January 4, 2026, with 171,251 injured. Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect, 418 people have been killed and another 1,171 injured.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold a telephone conversation with Donald Trump regarding the peace process in Ukraine and the Palestinian issue. The Turkish leader is also in contact with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on these issues.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin does not seek peace in Ukraine. The Kremlin aims to restore the empire, ignoring Russia's deteriorating military position.

The radical Palestinian group Hamas has confirmed the death of five leaders, including Mohammed al-Sinwar and Abu Obeida. This occurred during Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. Hamas revealed Abu Obeida's real name for the first time as Hudhayfa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout.

Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday, with Brent futures down 2 cents to $61. 92 and WTI down 5 cents to $58.03. This followed a 2% rise.

The US Department of Defense has signed an $8. 6 billion contract with Boeing to supply 25 new F-15 fighter jets to the Israeli Air Force, with an option to purchase 25 more aircraft. Work under the contract, which is part of the Foreign Military Sales program, is expected to be completed by the end of 2035.

US President Donald Trump stated that the reconstruction of Gaza would begin "very soon" during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He called Gaza a "tough place" and promised to rectify the situation.

US President Donald Trump stated that Hamas must disarm before transitioning to the second phase of the ceasefire. This is a key condition for further agreements, despite the existing ceasefire agreement since October.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting comes amid fears of renewed regional fighting and criticism from Arab partners regarding Israeli strikes.

Israel has become the first state to recognize Somaliland's independence since its de facto secession from Somalia in 1991. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a joint declaration with the region's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced preparations for a response after the explosion incident in Rafah, which injured an IDF officer. Hamas denies involvement, claiming the explosion was caused by old ammunition.

Thousands gathered in Manger Square in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, where the giant Christmas tree has returned. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa opened the celebrations, calling for a "Christmas full of light" despite the consequences of the war in the region.

President Trump's new envoy to Greenland, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, announced his intention to initiate a dialogue with the island's residents regarding its development. This contradicts Trump's previous statements about the need for US control over Greenland.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense denied the government's intentions to restore civilian settlements in the Gaza Strip, stating that the military presence would be purely for security purposes. This position contradicts the "Trump Plan" for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave.

Former aide to Israeli Prime Minister Eli Feldstein stated that after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, Benjamin Netanyahu sought ways to avoid responsibility. According to Feldstein, Netanyahu instructed him to develop a strategy to neutralize media criticism regarding security failures.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will visit the US next week to meet with Donald Trump. The main topics will be Iran's nuclear activity in light of its recent missile exercises, as well as the transition to the next stage of Trump's "Plan" for Gaza.

Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan stated that the transition to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is expected in early 2026. The main priority at this stage is the transfer of Gaza's administration to a Palestinian group.

The Israeli government has approved the construction of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, increasing their number to 210. This decision legalizes previously established outposts and allows construction on lands from which Palestinians have been evicted.

Thousands gathered on Sydney's Bondi Beach a week after an attack on a Jewish festival that killed 15 people. The event was attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other high-ranking officials, as authorities step up the fight against antisemitism.

US Secretary of State Rubio announced the imposition of restrictions against two ICC judges, Gocha Lordkipanidze and Erdenebalsuren Damdin. This decision was made under an executive order aimed at countering attempts by the court to prosecute citizens of states that are not members of the ICC.