A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, begins today at 6:30 AM (UK time). As part of the three-phase deal, 33 hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, will be freed over six weeks. Israel will release 990-1,650 Palestinian prisoners in return. The Israeli army will withdraw from parts of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return. Negotiations for the second phase, involving more hostages and troop withdrawals, will follow. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the ceasefire is temporary and warned against Hamas's non-compliance.

US President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Washington with his family ahead of his January 20 swearing-in as the 47th President. On January 19, Trump hosted a reception for about 500 guests at his resort in Virginia, accompanied by Melania, Ivanka, and Jared Kushner. A fireworks display marked the occasion. Trump will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and hold a rally at Capital One Arena on January 19. His inauguration ceremony will be indoors due to cold weather, with a reduced parade and a traditional prayer service at St John's Episcopal Church.

TikTok has gone offline in the US just hours before a ban on the platform was set to take effect. The app displayed a message citing the law and expressed hope for resolution under President-elect Donald Trump, who hinted at a potential 90-day reprieve. The ban, passed last year, demands ByteDance, TikTok's China-based owner, to sell its US operations. TikTok, with 170M US users, argues the ban violates free speech. The app has also been removed from app stores, leaving creators, like Nicole Bloomgarden, facing income losses. Users mourn the loss of TikTok’s educational and creative content.

A 42-day ceasefire in Gaza commenced on Sunday, brokered by Qatar, offering hope to thousands displaced by the conflict. During the truce, Palestinian groups will release 33 Israeli hostages, while Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. However, tensions remain high, with Israel warning it could resume the war if needed. Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed the war had "changed the face of the Middle East." Hamas accused Israel of committing war crimes. The ceasefire coincides with Donald Trump's second inauguration, with US mediation pivotal to the agreement. Displaced Gazans expressed eagerness to return home despite the uncertainty ahead.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the Gaza ceasefire deal will not proceed without a confirmed list of 33 Israeli hostages to be freed by Hamas. The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, is set to begin on January 19, ending the 15-month-long Israel-Hamas war that caused over 46,000 Palestinian deaths. As part of the agreement, Israel will release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu emphasized that any violation would hold Hamas accountable. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting 23 fatalities in the last 24 hours. Discussions for the next phase of the ceasefire are expected in two weeks.

Over 20,000 people joined a pro-Palestinian protest in London’s Whitehall, marking the 23rd rally since October 7, 2024. The static demonstration followed police denial of a march route near the BBC due to its proximity to a synagogue. Protesters expressed concerns about a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with many emphasizing the need to amplify voices for Gaza. Despite being largely peaceful, eight arrests were made, including individuals suspected of public order offences and breaching protest conditions. Over 1,100 officers were deployed, with 200 from other forces, ensuring public safety amid the heavy police presence.

A stabbing attack in central Tel Aviv, Israel, left one person seriously wounded, according to police. The suspect, reportedly shot by a passer-by, is in critical condition. Israel's emergency rescue services, Magen David Adom, provided immediate medical assistance. Authorities suspect the incident was a terrorist act but have not yet identified the attacker. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported striking 50 "terror targets" in Gaza as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas continue. The army is also preparing to receive hostages under agreed terms, focusing on their physical and psychological recovery. Despite ongoing talks, airstrikes in Gaza persist.

Donald Trump’s promise to swiftly end the Ukraine war after his inauguration has been met with doubt in Moscow. Russians expressed skepticism over Trump’s ability to broker peace, with many attributing the power to halt the conflict solely to President Vladimir Putin. While the Kremlin has shown openness to talks, it demands Ukraine withdraw troops from four contested regions. Kyiv fears Trump’s approach may favor Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian sites, and Russia advances in Donetsk. Despite Trump's assurances, both sides remain far apart on peace terms, leaving many Russians unconvinced of imminent resolution.

Donald Trump’s administration is set to launch sweeping immigration raids on its first full day in office, targeting undocumented migrants across "sanctuary cities" like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. Incoming "border tsar" Tom Homan has promised large-scale detentions and deportations, focusing initially on migrants with criminal records but extending to all undocumented individuals. Cities with sanctuary policies limiting federal cooperation will be key targets. Advocates report rising fears among migrant communities, with families preparing for potential separations. Meanwhile, Congress is expected to pass the Laken Riley Act, mandating federal detention for undocumented migrants suspected of criminal activity.

Israel’s justice ministry has announced the release of 737 prisoners as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The decision, approved by Israel's cabinet on Saturday, includes men, women, and children currently detained. Among those freed are Zakaria Zubeidi, a Palestinian leader, and Khalida Jarar, a prominent lawmaker. The release will take effect on Sunday at 4:00 pm local time. The first group of hostages to be freed includes three Israeli women soldiers. The final number of released prisoners depends on the number of hostages freed.