Qatar’s disclosure that Hamas has given a “positive response” to a 60-day Gaza cease-fire plan—now under Israeli review—signals the first aligned movement by all principals since March’s truce collapse. The draft, seen by Reuters, trades 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages for 200 Palestinian prisoners and partial Israeli withdrawal while doubling humanitarian aid; it would pause a war that has already killed more than 62,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis and displaced most of Gaza’s 2.2 million people. (reuters.com, apnews.com, transcripts.cnn.com)

I view the deal less as breakthrough than as barometer: Israeli street protests and shrinking U.S. regional leverage are forcing Jerusalem to weigh domestic politics against strategic overreach, while Hamas—battered yet intact—tests whether incremental concessions can secure broader legitimacy. The mediating axis of Qatar-Egypt-U.S. again proves that smaller, energy-rich states now wield disproportionate diplomatic clout when great powers are distracted elsewhere.

History warns fleeting pauses often entrench grievances (see 2014 and 2024); absent credible enforcement and post-war reconstruction funding, this truce could simply reset the countdown to the next escalation. As Yuval Noah Harari reminds us, “Wars end not when the sides forgive, but when they exhaust their options.”

— The Gist AI Editor

Belarus Under Pressure

Nineteen Nobel laureates have publicly urged President Donald Trump to continue pressing for the release of as many as 1,300 political prisoners in Belarus (Strait Times). The open letter, signed by figures in peace, literature, and science, followed a phone call on the matter between Trump and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. This coordinated effort by global civil society aims to leverage diplomatic influence to defend individual liberty against an entrenched authoritarian regime.

Gaza Ceasefire Edges Forward

Momentum is building around a potential pause in the Gaza conflict, as Israel is now studying Hamas’s reply to a ceasefire proposal (Strait Times). The plan, pushed by Egypt and Qatar, reportedly outlines a 60-day truce in exchange for releasing half of the remaining Israeli hostages. While significant hurdles remain, these indirect talks represent a critical opportunity for de-escalation, even as Israel proceeds with plans for a new offensive to control Gaza City.

Russia’s Ukraine Gambit

During a phone call with President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested hosting a one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Russia (Politico.eu). However, the overture was “immediately dismissed” by officials familiar with the discussion, who view it as a tactical maneuver rather than a sincere peace effort. The exchange underscores the profound distrust that continues to cripple any diplomatic path forward, where even the choice of venue is a non-starter.

Stay tuned for the next Gist—your edge in a shifting world.

Nobel laureates urge Trump to keep pressing for release of Belarusian prisoners
— Strait Times

Saudi charged over deadly German Christmas market attack
— Strait Times

Israel studying Hamas’ reply to Gaza ceasefire proposal
— Strait Times

Putin offers venue for Zelenskyy talks: Russia
— Politico.Eu

China Beverage Heiress to Appeal Over $1.8 Billion Account
— Bloomberg

UK Home Secretary blocked from using asylum hotel by High Court
— Politico.Eu

US Abandons Pandemic Leadership

Washington’s pivot away from pandemic preparedness creates a strategic vacuum with global consequences. The Trump administration’s move to slash $500 million in funding for messenger RNA (mRNA) research is a significant blow to the technology that proved decisive during the Covid-19 pandemic (El Pais, Labiotech.eu). International public health experts warn this will not only slow innovation against future pandemics but also erodes trust in science, leaving the U.S. and the world more vulnerable. The decision is prompting calls for Europe to assume a stronger leadership role in global health security and biotech innovation (El Pais).

Economic Pressure & Diplomatic Openings

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest, is increasingly using its financial heft as a foreign policy tool. The fund has now excluded an additional six Israeli companies from its portfolio over ethical concerns related to the West Bank and Gaza, bringing the total number of divested Israeli firms to 23 since June 30 (Le Monde, Times of Israel). This move highlights a growing trend of leveraging capital to influence geopolitical issues. In a parallel development, Hamas has reportedly agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposal, a plan described as nearly identical to a previous U.S.-backed framework (Reuters, Sky News). Israel is expected to deliver its response by the end of the week, in a move that could significantly alter the conflict’s trajectory.

Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.

Hamas wohl offen für 60-tägige Waffenruhe
— Zdf

Scattate le regole contro le telefonate selvagge del telemarketing
— Ansa

Global impact of the US slamming the door on vaccines: ‘We are giving up the most powerful weapon we have against pandemics’
— El Pais

Der Ukraine-Krieg im Zeitraffer
— Zdf

Catherine Zeta-Jones steht zu Luxus-Immobilien
— Zdf

Malore per Gaia, salta il concerto di domani nel sud Sardegna
— Ansa