As a writer with an Israeli mother and Palestinian father, I have seen language be weaponized, causing both sides to overlook the possibility of coexistence.

Israel assassinated Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran last summer, Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed. The comments by Katz appeared to mark the first time that Israel has acknowledged killing Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Tehran in July.

After months of deadlock, Israel and Hamas appear to be moving closer toward a ceasefire to end their 14-month war.

CAIRO — Israel and Hamas appear closer than they have been in months to agreeing to a ceasefire that could wind down the 14-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of people held hostage there. But the sides have come close before, only to have talks collapse over various disagreements . This round of negotiations also faces hurdles.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Christians worldwide a Merry Christmas and thanked the Christian community for its support.

A series of meetings in Cairo and Doha have led to renewed optimism about the prospect of a deal between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian Islamists in Gaza, ending the war there after over 14 months.

At least 16 people were injured in a missile strike on Tel Aviv, the economic centre of Israel, in the early hours of Saturday.

The Health Ministry said 45,028 people have been killed and 106,962 have been wounded since the start of the war in October 2023.

Hamas is required to provide a list of all the hostages it is holding who will be released in a deal. However, the terror group is dragging its feet and refusing thus far to provide Israel with such a list, thereby extending the negotiating process.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed and wounded in Russia's Kursk region and warned that Pyongyang could send more personnel and equipment for Moscow's army.