News brief

Israel-Gaza ceasefire agreement gains momentum. A Palestinian official said on Dec. 18 that mediators had narrowed gaps on most of the agreement’s clauses, but Israel introduced conditions which Hamas rejected. On Dec. 17, sources in Cairo said an agreement could be signed in the coming days on a ceasefire and a release of hostages held in Gaza in return for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The United States administration, joined by mediators from Egypt and Qatar, has made intensive efforts to advance the talks before President Joe Biden leaves office in January.

Israel enjoys upper hand as ceasefire signals Hezbollah’s limits