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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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Fragile Gaza Truce Struggles Amid Renewed Clashes

                                  Palestinians walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City

Efforts to sustain peace in Gaza remain tenuous as violence between Israeli forces and Hamas continues to undermine a ceasefire agreement signed in early October. Despite international acclaim for the truce, progress toward lasting stability has been slow, with fresh clashes highlighting the fragility of the deal.

On November 24, Israeli forces killed three Palestinians near the demarcation line separating areas of Israeli control. According to Palestinian medics, two were killed and another wounded by a drone strike east of Khan Younis, while a tank shell claimed another life in Gaza City. Israel’s military stated that its actions targeted “terrorists” crossing into restricted zones, posing an immediate threat to troops.

The ceasefire, brokered six weeks ago, was intended to halt two years of devastating warfare. However, reports suggest Israel has violated the truce nearly 500 times since it began, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths, including women and children. Meanwhile, humanitarian efforts continue under the supervision of international coordination centers, but optimism is tempered by ongoing hostilities.

The United States and its allies are exploring contingency plans should the truce collapse entirely, including proposals for a civilian Palestinian administration to replace Hamas in governing Gaza. Yet, with demolitions of homes and infrastructure persisting—over 1,500 buildings reportedly destroyed since the ceasefire began—the situation remains volatile.

In summary, while the truce brought a brief respite, renewed violence and unresolved disputes threaten to unravel fragile progress, leaving Gaza’s future uncertain.


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