Israel is set to begin negotiations on the second phase of its Gaza ceasefire deal, which is expected to include an exchange of the remaining Israeli hostages with Palestinian detainees, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Tuesday.
The discussions, which were planned to commence before the first phase of the ceasefire expires on March 2, have not yet officially started, according to Qatari officials.
At a press conference, Saar emphasized that a complete demilitarisation of Gaza is a core demand for Israel. “A Hezbollah model in Gaza would not be acceptable,” he stated, adding that Israel requires no presence of the Palestinian Authority in the enclave as part of the demilitarisation process.
Saar also mentioned that Israel is aware of an alternative plan proposed by Arab states for managing Gaza. This plan is seen as a counter to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to redevelop the strip under U.S. control—a proposal that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated is “worthy of exploration.” However, Saar made it clear that Israel would not support any arrangement that would see civilian control of Gaza transferred from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority.
The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts to solidify the ceasefire and address the long-standing challenges in the region, with hostilities and political tensions continuing to complicate prospects for a comprehensive resolution.
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A mass wedding brought together 203 grooms and 203 brides in the Zawayda area of the central Gaza Strip on 18 December. The ceremony was organised by the Turkish Ribat Association.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has greenlit a landmark energy agreement that will see Israel export natural gas valued at approximately $35 billion to Egypt.
A fresh humanitarian emergency is unfolding across the Gaza Strip as torrential winter rains batter fragile encampments, leaving thousands of civilians vulnerable just months after the October ceasefire.
Austria’s public broadcaster ORF, which is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest next year, has said it will not block Palestinian flags in the audience or suppress crowd reactions during Israel’s performance.
European Union leaders have agreed to raise up to €90 billion through joint borrowing to support Ukraine’s defence in 2026 and 2027, opting not to use frozen Russian state assets amid legal and political concerns.
Petroleum products are being transported by rail from Azerbaijan to Armenia for the first time in decades. The move is hailed as a tangible breakthrough in efforts to normalise relations between the long-time rivals.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that attempts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine are being undermined by Russia’s continued refusal to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging address from the White House in which he sought to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements while laying the groundwork for his plans for the year ahead and beyond, on Wednesday (18 December).
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Armenia–NATO talks were held in Yerevan as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska to discuss cooperation and regional security in the South Caucasus.
Azerbaijan has begun exporting oil products to Armenia, with the first shipment delivered on 18 December 2025. It marked a notable milestone in the peace process and efforts to deepen economic cooperation between the two long-time rivals.
A mass wedding brought together 203 grooms and 203 brides in the Zawayda area of the central Gaza Strip on 18 December. The ceremony was organised by the Turkish Ribat Association.
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