Overview

• Hamas said it would release all hostages, living or dead, if certain field conditions are met, and signaled readiness for negotiations and a technocratic administration in Gaza, aligning with parts of Trump’s 20-point plan.
• Trump welcomed the statement as a positive sign and urged Israel to pause strikes to facilitate hostage releases, while observers cautioned that key terms and timelines remain unresolved.
• Nobel watchers in Norway describe Trump’s prospects as a long shot, noting the committee’s track record of rewarding sustained, collaborative peacebuilding rather than rapid or highly publicized initiatives.
• Procedural realities weigh on the bid, with the 2025 nomination window closing Jan. 31, some public endorsements arriving after the deadline, and the five-member committee’s deliberations sealed for 50 years.
• Fact-checkers have disputed Trump’s claim that he ended six or seven wars, and viral posts alleging his disqualification were refuted by the Norwegian Nobel Institute and Snopes.