Pope Francis, in Christmas Day blessing, begs for Israel-Hamas cease-fire
Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, “is a place of sorrow and silence" this year, Pope Francis lamented as he pleaded for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Christmas events canceled in Bethlehem due to Israel-Hamas war
The Israel-Hamas war has forced Christmas celebrations in the biblical birthplace of Jesus to be called off: "This year, without the Christmas tree and without lights, there’s just darkness."
War in Gaza: Palestinian death toll surpasses 20,000 as Israel continues invasion
Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say the Palestinian death toll there has surpassed 20,000. That figure was released Friday.
Gad Haggai, US-Israeli man believed kidnapped by Hamas, declared dead
Gad Haggai, an Israeli American, had been thought to be among the more than 100 Israeli hostages still alive in Gaza.
Israel finds large tunnel adjacent to Gaza border
The Israeli military said that the tunnel facilitated the transit of vehicles, militants and supplies, which raises more questions about how its surveillance could have missed such preparations for Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.
Israeli airstrike killed a USAID contractor in Gaza, colleagues say
This is a rare report of the killing of someone with U.S.-government ties in the more than two-month war between Israel and Hamas.
Hostages mistakenly killed by Israeli troops were waving white flag, IDF official says
An IDF official said the accidental killing of Israeli hostages was “against our rules of engagement," and was being investigated at the highest level.
US, British warships shoot down 15 attack drones over Red Sea
The destroyer USS Carney "successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems" launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the Pentagon said.
Israeli strike on school in Gaza kills Al Jazeera cameraman, wounds another, network says
An Israeli strike killed a Palestinian cameraman for the TV network Al Jazeera and wounded its chief Gaza correspondent as they reported at a school in the south of the besieged territory.
Israeli troops mistakenly killed 3 Israeli hostages in Gaza, IDF says
The Israeli military mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip, the IDF says.
Biden meeting in person Wednesday the families of 8 Americans taken hostage by Hamas
President Joe Biden is set to meet today with the families of eight Americans presumed to be taken captive by Hamas.
Plano city council meeting disrupted by calls for Israel-Hamas cease-fire
There was added security at the Plano city council meeting that resumed Tuesday after it was cut short Monday.
These 5 news stories topped Google search this year
Severe weather dominated what people were searching about most in the news cycle this year, but didn’t take the top two spots.
US vetoes UN resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza
The U.S. was the only country to vote against calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. The United Kingdom abstained from the vote.
Israel-Hamas war: Airstrikes on Gaza resume as cease-fire officially expires
Israel’s war with Hamas resumed after a weeklong truce expired, with each side blaming the other for the resurgence of hostilities.
More Israeli hostages freed by Hamas as truce in Gaza extends another day
A busload of the latest Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel has been welcomed home in the West Bank.
Israel releases more prisoners after Hamas frees 16 hostages amid Gaza truce
Israel released another group of Palestinian prisoners early Thursday in exchange for 16 hostages freed hours earlier by the Islamic militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Hamas frees 12 more hostages from Gaza as fragile truce with Israel holds
Hamas has freed 12 hostages and Israel has released 30 Palestinian prisoners on the fifth day of a fragile cease-fire in the Gaza war.
Great-granddaughter of Dallas bible school founders joining Israel Defense Forces
The great-granddaughter of the husband and wife that built Christ For The Nations Religious Institute in Dallas has entered the Israel Defense Forces, the military arm of Israel's national security.
Israel, Hamas agree to extend truce, continue releasing hostages and prisoners
Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their cease-fire for two more days past Monday.