Conflict over the Gaza agreement
Sheet The Times of Israel Yesterday, it was reported that families of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip protested outside the headquarters of the ruling Likud party in Tel Aviv (Israel), calling for an agreement to end hostilities to be finalized to return their children. news about the country. Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023 and took hundreds of hostages. To date, it is estimated that nearly 100 people have not been returned, including dozens of people determined to be dead. The Israeli army still maintains its military campaign in the Gaza Strip to increase pressure on Hamas.
Hamas said ‘ready to release 34 hostages’, how did Israel react?
While officials from the administration of US President Joe Biden and his successor Donald Trump appear optimistic about the prospects of reaching an agreement, Hamas and Israel still accuse each other of hindering the agreement by not accepting concessions. Israel says the fighting will only end when Hamas disbands and all hostages are released. Meanwhile, Hamas official Osama Hamdan on January 7 repeated the condition that Israel must end the conflict and completely withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip, according to Reuters. Commenting on Mr. Trump’s warning that “hell will open” if the hostages are not released before he takes office on January 20, Mr. Hamdan said that US leaders “must have a disciplined and diplomatic statement.” than”.
Turkish-backed armed forces patrolled in Manbij (Syria) on January 4
Delegations of Hamas and Israel are negotiating in Qatar and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel there this week in an effort to mediate. “We’ve had some really good progress and I hope that by inauguration day, we will have some good things to announce on behalf of the president,” Mr. Witkoff updated the situation on January 7.
Türkiye warns Syria
In Syria, a country that is gradually stabilizing after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2024, the risk of instability appears again related to the Kurdish issue. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan threatened on January 7 that Ankara would launch a military operation in Syria if the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) did not disband or join the new government’s army, according to AFP.
Türkiye threatens to send troops into Syria to fight Kurdish forces
The YPG is believed to be related to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Türkiye considers “terrorist” but is an important partner of the United States in fighting the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS). Syria has not commented on Mr. Fidan’s statement but previously called on Kurds to join the national army. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani on January 7 pledged to take the time to organize a dialogue conference on building a new path for the country with the participation of all sectors of society.
Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said yesterday that the European Union (EU) could quickly lift sanctions that are hindering humanitarian aid and the recovery of Syria, similar to the move previously from America. Regarding other political embargoes, Mr. Barrot said that their lifting depends on the new administration’s policy. Previously, Reuters quoted a source from the German Foreign Ministry as saying that this country is leading discussions in the EU on easing the embargo on Syria. Earlier this week, the US agreed to waive sanctions for six months on transactions by some Syrian government agencies to free up humanitarian aid, address electricity shortages and allow private money transfers. .
