Oct 23, 2026, 04:30 PM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace framework backed by US President Donald Trump, reiterating that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed. Speaking to his cabinet, Netanyahu emphasized that military operations would continue to counter security threats against Israeli troops.

The announcement highlights growing friction between Washington and Israel, coming shortly after US officials touted the proposal as a diplomatic breakthrough following Hamas's acceptance of its terms. Netanyahu's decision unfolds amid complex domestic political pressures ahead of Israel's national election scheduled for October 27, as he attempts to satisfy far-right coalition partners while managing relations with key international allies. Meanwhile, regional instability persists alongside reports of separate Houthi strikes targeting Saudi Aramco infrastructure and Yemen's Mokha port.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Nadia Lovell, head of global equity strategy at UBS Global Wealth Management, has advised investors to remain committed to artificial intelligence stocks while looking for broader corporate earnings growth.

Market conditions could experience elevated volatility over the coming weeks due to corporate earnings releases, upcoming policy decisions by the Federal Reserve, political uncertainty, and Middle East conflict impacting energy prices. Despite risks associated with financing the massive expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, Lovell emphasized that fundamental economic growth and demand remain solid. She highlighted that major hyperscale technology firms driving the investment hold high-quality balance sheets, reassuring investors against abandoning the sector while recommending expansion into wider market opportunities.

Sources: Bloomberg