January 1, Ceasefire on Brink as US Races to Calm Gaza

Wyatt’s Take

• Tensions run high as US envoys arrive to keep Israel-Gaza ceasefire alive.
• Fresh violence and Hamas infighting threaten peace efforts.
• America pushes for a new order in Gaza, but no clear plan yet.

The Trump administration sent key envoys to Israel as the Gaza ceasefire wobbled after another weekend of violence. Israel paused strikes for now, but the peace holds by a thread with new attacks and signs of Hamas losing control on the ground.

Hamas fighters have stepped up attacks inside Gaza, openly punishing rivals and alleged collaborators, while parts of the group splinter and challenge its leadership. This fractured state makes a lasting peace deal harder than ever.

President Trump continues to back the ceasefire, saying, “We want to make sure that it’s going to be very peaceful with Hamas, and as you know, they’ve been quite rambunctious… It’s going to be handled properly.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers Israel will keep the ceasefire only if Hamas returns hostage remains and disarms, handing political control to an outside coalition backed by the United States.

After militants killed two IDF soldiers, Israel answered with airstrikes and briefly stopped aid to Gaza. Later, they reversed these actions and said military operations would remain limited if Hamas respects the truce. The IDF said, “The IDF will continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it.”

Hamas claimed its leaders did not order the attack and blamed uncontrollable fighters in the area.

President Trump’s team, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, say any lasting peace depends on Hamas disarming and a new local government taking over. Witkoff floated a possible “weapons buy-back program,” though details remain unclear.

As talks continue, Hamas is working quickly to reclaim areas in Gaza, targeting rivals and even carrying out public executions, shown in videos spreading across social media.

America and its allies want to build a new leadership in Gaza, but with no firm plans on the table, the road ahead remains rocky for Middle East peace.

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