A wave of violence has rocked Gaza as talks to reach a ceasefire and release hostages resumed in Qatar. Israel confirmed on January 4 that the talks were taking place in Qatar, and yesterday the Israel Hayom newspaper reported that a government plane had returned from Qatar following the negotiations.

The outcome of the talks is unclear, but after the plane returned, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency security dialogue on the afternoon of January 5 with the participation of Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, according to Israel Army Radio. Earlier, Minister Katz confirmed that Prime Minister Netanyahu had given detailed instructions on the content of the negotiations, after Hamas' armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, released a video of an Israeli hostage being held in Gaza.

Also yesterday, the Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. According to official information, the missile was shot down before reaching deep into Israeli territory, AFP reported.

On the same day, the Houthi news site Saba and Al-Masirah TV reported three attacks east of Saada City in northern Yemen, which the group said were carried out by the US and UK. Washington and London have not commented on the information.