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Wall Street Futures Tick Higher as 2026 Trading Begins

U.S. stock futures moved higher early Friday, signaling a confident start to the first trading session of 2026. The gains follow a strong multi‑year run for equities and come as investors look ahead to a new year of economic and corporate developments. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures edged up, S&P 500 futures posted a modest rise, and Nasdaq futures led the early advance with a stronger uptick. The move reflects continued enthusiasm for technology and growth‑oriented sectors, which helped drive markets through much of the previous year. Despite bouts of volatility in late 2025, major indexes closed the year with solid performance, supported by resilient consumer spending, easing inflation pressures, and expectations of a more accommodative monetary environment. As 2026 begins, traders are watching several themes: the timing and pace of potential interest‑rate cuts, the durability of tech‑sector leadership, and whether gains will broaden across more industries. Early future...
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Hamas Official Expresses Willingness to Disarm for Independent Palestinian State

 

In a significant development, a top Hamas political official has stated that the Islamic militant group would be willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel if an independent Palestinian state is established along pre-1967 borders. Khalil al-Hayya, who has represented Hamas in negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage exchange, made this statement during an interview with the Associated Press in Istanbul. Here are the key points:

  1. Truce and Disarmament: Hamas is open to a truce with Israel lasting five years or more. If an independent Palestinian state is established, the group would lay down its weapons and transform into a political party.

  2. Stalemate in Cease-Fire Talks: The comments by al-Hayya come amid a stalemate in months of cease-fire talks. While the suggestion that Hamas would disarm is significant, it remains unlikely that Israel would consider such a scenario. Israel has vowed to crush Hamas following the deadly attacks that triggered the war, and its current leadership opposes the creation of a Palestinian state on lands captured in the 1967 Mideast war.

  3. Joining the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): Al-Hayya expressed Hamas’ desire to join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which is headed by the rival Fatah faction. The goal is to form a unified government for Gaza and the West Bank. He emphasized that if a fully sovereign Palestinian state is realized, Hamas’ military wing would dissolve.

  4. Historical Precedent: Al-Hayya drew parallels with other independence movements, noting that forces that fought against occupiers often transformed into political parties and national armies once they achieved independence and obtained their rights.

While this statement represents a potential shift in Hamas’ stance, the road to lasting peace remains complex. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a deeply entrenched issue with multiple historical, political, and security dimensions.

In summary, Hamas’ willingness to disarm hinges on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but challenges persist in reaching a comprehensive resolution. The international community closely watches these developments, hoping for progress toward peace in the region.




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