★  ISRAEL

1. Hamas Agrees to Disarm in US-Mediated Deal, Report Says

Hamas has agreed with the United States to surrender its weapons and provide maps of Gaza’s tunnel network in exchange for remaining a political party,  a Palestinian source told Sky News Arabia. The deal may allow leaders to leave Gaza and integrate vetted officials into a new administration, despite Israeli reservations.

2. Muslim States Join Trump Board As Britain Declines Participation

Eight Muslim-majority countries accepted invitations to join President Trump’s Board of Peace in Davos, while Britain and several European states declined or withheld participation, citing constraints or concerns the initiative could undermine United Nations authority.

3. Putin to Meet Trump Envoys on Peace Council, $1bn Reconstruction Plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he will meet US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss ending the Ukraine war and a proposed “Peace Council,” including using frozen Russian assets for reconstruction. He also cited readiness to allocate $1 billion and plans to discuss the initiative with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

4. US Treasury Sanctions Hamas, Exposes Secret Charity Financing Networks

The US Treasury imposed new sanctions targeting Hamas-linked nonprofit networks accused of covertly funding its military wing. Officials said Hamas used civilian fronts to divert international donations for terrorism, endangering Palestinians. Six Gaza-based organizations were designated, with evidence gathered after October 7, while humanitarian aid remains permitted under OFAC licenses.

5. Israel Weighs Selling Stakes in Major Arms Firms

Israel is considering selling stakes in leading defense companies to offset soaring military costs from the two-year Gaza war, the Financial Times reported. Finance Ministry accountant general Yali Rothenberg said work has begun to privatize Israel Aerospace Industries, with plans to sell 25% to 49%, and Rafael is also under review.

6. IDF Strikes Hezbollah Smuggling Routes, Kills Senior Arms Dealer

The IDF said it struck four Hezbollah weapons-smuggling crossings along the Syria-Lebanon border near Hermel and killed senior arms smuggler Muhammad Awasha near Sidon. It also targeted Hezbollah’s weapons infrastructure and underground depots in southern Lebanon, citing ceasefire violations and security threats.

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★  SYRIA

7. Syrian Authorities Resume Oil Transport From Former SDF-Controlled Fields

Syrian authorities began transporting crude from the Al-Omar and Al-Tanak oil fields in the eastern Euphrates basin to the Homs and Banias refineries, replacing open-pit collection with pumping into tanks to improve safety and efficiency, and cited these supplies are intended to increase refinery production (Al-Omar and Al-Tanak named as major fields east of the Euphrates previously under SDF control).

8. Irabil Hosts Syrian Government SDF Talks After Hasakah Truce Disputes

Iraq’s Erbil will host Syrian government and SDF delegations to resume negotiations after the January 18 agreement, Kurdish sources report. Talks sponsored by Masoud Barzani will address Hasakah’s future and force integration, with U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack attending.

9. SDF Appeals For Safe Passage From ISIS Prison in Raqqa

An SDF official guarding al-Aqtan prison north of Raqqa appealed for internationally guaranteed safe passage to withdraw fighters and transfer prison responsibility, citing repeated attacks, attempts to seize the facility, severe shortages of water, electricity, fuel, and food, and continued detention of ISIS members posing a global threat.

10. US Transfers ISIS Detainees From Syria to Iraq

The US military has begun moving ISIS prisoners from northeastern Syria to Iraq amid prison escapes and rising instability, the New York Times reported. The first 150 detainees were transferred this week, with up to 7,000 potentially relocated, following a major breakout that highlighted security risks at Kurdish-run detention facilities.

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★  IRAN

11. Iran Announces Protest Death Toll, Warns US of Wider Conflict

Iran announced an official death toll of 3,117 from recent protests as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the United States that any new attack could trigger a prolonged, regional conflict. He said Tehran would use full military capabilities if confronted, while leaving the door open to diplomacy amid mounting international pressure.

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★THE GULF

12. Saudi Arabia Launches Largest Regional Air Drill, Victory Spears 2026

Saudi Arabia launched the “Victory Spears 2026” air exercise at its Eastern Sector Air Warfare Center, involving branches of its armed forces and military units from 15 countries. One of the region’s largest drills, it focuses on joint operations, tactical planning, electronic and cyber warfare, and boosting combat readiness.

13. Israeli Education Minister Held Secret UAE Talks on Education

Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch made a secret visit to the UAE in mid-January to discuss cooperation on education, research, and artificial intelligence, Israeli media reported. He met senior Emirati officials and toured universities, marking the first such visit since the Abraham Accords.

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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.