Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Germany’s Scholz: Deal with Hamas painful, but hostage lives a priority

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a public discussion in Luenen, western Germany, on January 13, 2025. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)
After many months of negotiations, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas seems to be within reach, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says.
“We understand how painful any agreement with the terrorist organization Hamas is for Israel. Nevertheless, the lives of the hostages must now have top priority,” says Scholz in a statement, adding it offered the chance of a ceasefire to alleviate the suffering in Gaza.