Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Sa’ar cuts short Europe trip, returning to Israel in light of hostage deal developments
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani (not pictured) hold a press conference at the end of their meeting in Rome, January 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says he is cutting short his trip to Europe and returning to Israel amid “developments in the negotiations to free the hostages.”
According to the Foreign Ministry, Sa’ar will return from Italy to Israel tonight instead of continuing on to his planned visit to Hungary. Sa’ar says he is returning in order to “take part in the discussions and expected votes in the security cabinet and the cabinet” on a potential hostage release-ceasefire deal.