IDF warns Gaza tensions could erupt into new conflict — report
The Israel Defense Forces has reportedly warned senior government ministers the situation in the Gaza Strip is incendiary and could lead to a new round of violence with Hamas.
Jerusalem
Pope Francis laments ‘winds of war’ blowing around the world
Lamenting ‘the winds of war’ blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Monday called for a two-state solution to find peace in the Middle East and prayed that confrontation can be overcome on the Korean Peninsula.
Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near northern Israel
Syrian army forces backed by Iranian-backed militias pushed deeper into the last rebel-held enclave near a strategic border area with Israel and Lebanon in a new expansion of Tehran’s influence in the war-torn country.
Guatemala says it’s begun working on moving embassy to Jerusalem
Guatemala’s Foreign Ministry said Monday it had begun working on moving the country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a day after President Jimmy Morales announced he would follow US President Donald Trump’s controversial lead on the holy city.
Israel says 10 more countries in talks about moving embassies to Jerusalem
Following Guatemala’s announcement Monday that it would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, at least 10 other countries are in talks to move their own missions, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said.
Hamas calls on Arabs to drive Israeli, US ambassadors out of Arab states
Palestinians resumed violently rioting on Wednesday as they continued to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s Dec. 6 declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Hezbollah’s young adherents emboldened after US announcement on Jerusalem
Ali is six, and yet already he fiercely chants ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ at a rally alongside his family. It is a typical Beirut rally, organized by the Shia militia Hezbollah, to protest US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
176 nations at UN call for Palestinian statehood
The General Assembly voted 176-7 on Tuesday to affirm the Palestinian right to self-determination, one day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pledged to renew his quest for state membership in the international body.
Trump warns U.N. that cuts in U.S. foreign aid will follow anti-Jerusalem votes
President Trump dared the United Nations Wednesday to vote against his decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, saying ‘we’ll save a lot’ in foreign aid cuts for countries that cross his administration.
Palestinians won’t meet with Kushner, Greenblatt or any US officials on peace
The Palestinians will not meet with any United States officials regarding the peace process in the future, in response to US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a senior diplomatic adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told The Times of Israel on Sunday.
Ancient tomb door with stunning menorah carving revealed in Israel
As the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah comes to a close, the discovery of an ancient tomb door with a stunning menorah carving is providing a fascinating glimpse into Israel’s rich history.
Turkey hopes to open embassy in East Jerusalem, says Erdogan
Turkey intends to open an embassy in East Jerusalem, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, days after leading calls at a summit of Muslim leaders for the world to recognize it as the capital of a Palestinian state.
Israel strikes 40 Hamas targets over two weeks in response to rocket fire
Israeli jets struck six Hamas targets in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday night, after rockets were fired into southern Israel earlier in the evening, one of which slightly damaged a home.
US vetoes UN call for withdrawal of Trump Jerusalem decision
The United States was further isolated on Monday over President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital when it blocked a United Nations Security Council call for the declaration to be withdrawn.
Four Palestinians killed in further Jerusalem-declaration violence
Four Palestinians were killed by security forces over the weekend as violence escalated in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
UN Security Council to vote Monday on rejecting US Jerusalem decision
The United Nations Security Council will vote Monday on a draft resolution that would reject US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, diplomats said.
Jerusalem church leaders in Jordan condemn ‘Judaization’ of city
A delegation of church leaders from Jerusalem who met with Jordanian King Abdullah II reiterated their opposition to US recognition of the city as the capital of Israel and censured ‘attempts to Judaize’ it, Jordanian state media said Sunday.
India, China and Russia Refrain From Recognizing East Jerusalem as Capital of Palestine in Joint Statement
Foreign ministers from India, Russia and China notably refrained from recognizing East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine at their annual meeting in New Delhi this week – seven days after the US recognized the holy city as the capital of Israel.
US peace plan not finalized, but efforts ‘serious,’ says Saudi’s Jubeir
The US administration is serious about getting a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, but its proposed plan is still being put together, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said.
Hamas will reverse Trump’s Jerusalem move, leader tells Gaza rally
Tens of thousands of Palestinians including hundreds of gunmen rallied in Gaza on Thursday to mark the 30th anniversary of Hamas’s founding and its chief vowed to reverse US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.