Gaza City yesterday. Hamza Z. H. Qraiqea/
Anadolu via Getty Images
Israel and Hamas agree to hostage release, “first phase” of peace plan. President Trump said last night that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the initial phase of a deal to end the war in Gaza. That includes the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners from Israel, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed-upon area. Israel and Hamas both subsequently said a deal was reached, with Hamas saying the agreement also called for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. The Associated Press reports that Hamas would free the 20 living hostages this weekend, and Israel would also begin its withdrawal. However, more details, including whether Hamas will agree to disarm, likely still need to be worked out for additional phases of the agreement, which could have the potential to completely end the devastating two-year war.
Former FBI Director James Comey pleads not guilty. Comey appeared in court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding that stem from testimony he gave in 2020. The case was brought after President Trump publicly called for the prosecution of his perceived political enemies, including Comey, and following the replacement of a prosecutor who declined to bring it with one who had previously represented Trump personally. Comey’s attorneys said yesterday that they will seek a dismissal of the case as vindictive and selective prosecution based on Trump’s public demand for charges. The judge set a Jan. 5 trial date.
Authorities arrest man accused of starting destructive Palisades Fire. A 29-year-old Uber driver was arrested and charged with intentionally starting a fire that grew into the wildfire that killed a dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes in Los Angeles. Authorities claim Jonathan Rinderknecht sparked the fire on a hiking trail during the early morning on New Year’s Day after watching a rap video featuring someone setting things on fire. Though firefighters initially contained the blaze, it remained underground and reignited, growing amid high winds to become one of two massive fires that ravaged LA in January.—AR
Israel and Hamas agree to hostage release, “first phase” of peace plan. President Trump said last night that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the initial phase of a deal to end the war in Gaza. That includes the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners from Israel, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed-upon area. Israel and Hamas both subsequently said a deal was reached, with Hamas saying the agreement also called for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. The Associated Press reports that Hamas would free the 20 living hostages this weekend, and Israel would also begin its withdrawal. However, more details, including whether Hamas will agree to disarm, likely still need to be worked out for additional phases of the agreement, which could have the potential to completely end the devastating two-year war. Former FBI Director James Comey pleads not guilty. Comey appeared in court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding that stem from testimony he gave in 2020. The case was brought after President Trump publicly called for the prosecution of his perceived political enemies, including Comey, and following the replacement of a prosecutor who declined to bring it with one who had previously represented Trump personally. Comey’s attorneys said yesterday that they will seek a dismissal of the case as vindictive and selective prosecution based on Trump’s public demand for charges. The judge set a Jan. 5 trial date. Authorities arrest man accused of starting destructive Palisades Fire. A 29-year-old Uber driver was arrested and charged with intentionally starting a fire that grew into the wildfire that killed a dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes in Los Angeles. Authorities claim Jonathan Rinderknecht sparked the fire on a hiking trail during the early morning on New Year’s Day after watching a rap video featuring someone setting things on fire. Though firefighters initially contained the blaze, it remained underground and reignited, growing amid high winds to become one of two massive fires that ravaged LA in January.—AR
