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Wall Street Pauses as Fed Meeting Looms: Futures Hold Steady

U.S. stock futures were little changed on Tuesday as investors awaited the start of the Federal Reserve’s final policy meeting of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all hovered near flat, reflecting a cautious mood across Wall Street. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, but traders are focused on Chair Jerome Powell’s comments and the central bank’s updated economic projections. Markets are looking for clues on when rate cuts might begin in 2024, with inflation cooling but still above the Fed’s long-term target. Recent gains in equities have been fueled by optimism that the Fed’s tightening cycle is over, yet uncertainty remains about how quickly monetary policy will shift toward easing. Until then, investors appear content to hold their positions, waiting for clearer signals from the Fed before making bold moves.
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Gaza Truce and Hostage Deal Faces Last-Minute Crisis

 

In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a last-minute crisis with Hamas is delaying the approval of a highly anticipated ceasefire and hostage release agreement. The deal, which was set to be approved by the Israeli Cabinet, has been put on hold as Netanyahu accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement in an attempt to gain further concessions.

The ceasefire, brokered by U.S. President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar, was expected to bring a temporary halt to the 15-month conflict in the Gaza Strip and facilitate the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas. However, Netanyahu's office stated that the Cabinet would not convene to approve the agreement until Hamas backs down from its new demands.

Hamas, on the other hand, has denied the allegations, with senior official Izzat al-Rishq asserting that the militant group remains committed to the ceasefire agreement. The delay has raised concerns about the implementation of the deal, which was scheduled to go into effect on Sunday.

The conflict, which began with a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Israeli airstrikes have killed over 46,000 Palestinians, while Hamas' initial attack claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 Israelis. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread displacement and shortages of essential supplies.

A Fragile Hope for Peace in Gaza

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire and hostage release agreement can be salvaged. As negotiations continue, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that will bring much-needed relief to the war-torn region.


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