Sun Jan 19 04:30:00 UTC 2025: **Gaza Ceasefire Delayed, TikTok Ban Postponed**
**JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON D.C.** – A planned ceasefire in Gaza has been delayed pending the release of a list of hostages by Hamas, according to Israeli officials. Hamas maintains its commitment to the agreement. Separately, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to grant a 90-day reprieve to TikTok, postponing a potential US ban.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains at a standstill as Israel demands a list of hostages from Hamas before a ceasefire can take effect. While Hamas affirms its dedication to the agreement, the delay raises concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the fate of the popular social media app TikTok hangs in the balance. Despite a looming Sunday deadline set by a bipartisan law mandating the sale of TikTok to a non-Chinese entity or a US ban, President-elect Trump indicated he will likely grant a 90-day extension. This decision comes after the Supreme Court upheld the law and amid conflicting statements from the Biden administration and TikTok itself. The Biden administration has stated it will not enforce the ban, leaving the responsibility to the incoming Trump administration. TikTok threatened to shut down its US operations on Sunday without further clarification on potential legal ramifications. The White House dismissed TikTok’s threat as a “stunt.” Mr. Trump’s support for TikTok represents a notable shift from his previous attempts to ban the app during his first term. The extension, if granted, requires certification to Congress that several conditions are met, including the existence of binding legal agreements for a sale. Such agreements haven’t been publicly announced. The potential sale price for TikTok’s US operations is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attend President-elect Trump’s inauguration Monday.
First Piper 