A “final round” of truce talks aimed at ending the 15-month conflict in Gaza has begun in Qatar.

Mediators have said an agreement - to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and eventually end the fighting between Israel and Hamas - is “very close”.

Camilla and Kamal ask if peace could finally be brokered in the Middle East and, if so, whether Donald Trump has made the difference after promising “all hell will break out” if there are still hostages in Gaza after his inauguration.

They also speak to Sharone Lifschitz, whose elderly parents were kidnapped from the Nir Oz kibbutz on October 7th and whose father is still being held captive.

Plus, with the Pope’s autobiography released today, our own Christopher Howse has read it so that you don’t have to.

Read:

If war ends in Gaza, Donald Trump will rightly be able to claim a great victory - by Paul Nuki

Prostitutes, killers, ‘backward’ conservatives – Pope Francis tells a good story - by Christopher Howse

Producers: Lilian Fawcett

Senior Producer: John Cadigan

Planning Editor: Venetia Rainey

Executive Producer: Louisa Wells

Social Media Producer: Rachel Duffy

Video Editor: Andy Mackenzie

Studio Operator: Meghan Searle

Editor: Camilla Tominey

Original music by Goss Studio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.