Only a few weeks ago, President Donald Trump seemed confident a deal was days away that would end the fighting in Gaza, secure the release of hostages and allow aid to flow into an enclave where people are starving to death.

In our news wrap Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says he's considering "alternative options" to ceasefire talks with Hamas, European diplomats attempted to restart negotiations over limiting Iran's nuclear program and Ghislaine Maxwell wrapped up questioning as the Justice Department pushes back on criticism it's concealing aspects of Jeffrey Epstein's relationship with President Trump.

For Trump, whose foreign policy approach is defined by a transactional dealmaking strategy, the starvation unfolding in Gaza provides a key test of whether his America First foreign policy can confront the crisis.

Syria and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said on Friday. The deal was “embraced” by Turkey, Jordan and other neighboring countries, the ambassador, who also serves as the US special envoy to Syria, said in a post on X.

The U.S. President said Israel “agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize” a 60-day ceasefire, “during which time we will work with all parties to end the war.”

The leaders of Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire days after major Israeli strikes​, a U.S. envoy said Friday, as he urged all sides in war-torn Syria to lay down arms.

Hamas has reportedly taken steps to fend off possible Israeli military plans aimed at rescuing the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza.

President Donald Trump says Hamas is reluctant to release the remaining hostages amid Israel's increase in humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza on Sunday.