Hamas abducts major Gazan merchant, demands millions in ransom - KAN
Fadi a-Dayeb was forced to pay millions of shekels for his freedom, a now-deleted Facebook post claimed.
Middle East
Iran 'paid heavy price' for supporting proxies, Palestinians, ex-FM Zarif says at Doha Forum
Hamas willing to 'freeze or store' weapons to prevent escalation, official tells AP
Qatari PM: Qatar’s ties with Hamas began at US request, always served peace efforts
Doha will not 'write the check' to fund Gaza's reconstruction, Qatari PM says
In an interview with Tucker Carlson at The Doha Forum, Qatari Prime Minister Al Thani discussed Gaza reconstruction and plans for the region's future.
Israel is not a democracy, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack suggests at Doha Forum
"In this region, what's worked the best, whether you like it or you do not like it, is a benevolent monarchy," Barrack said.
Iran directing Hamas money network in Turkey, moving hundreds of millions to terrorists
Hamas, with the support of Iran, continues to "push forward terrorist plots against Israel and is trying to rebuild its capabilities, including outside of the Gaza Strip," Adraee stated.
US seeks to arrange Netanyahu–Sisi meeting, pushing Israel to expand regional economic ties - Axios
The two leaders have not officially met since before the start of the Israel-Hamas War.
Lebanon panics over ‘Israeli goods’ after smuggled shoes with Star of David siezed in raids
Five people were subsequently arrested in coordinated operations in Sidon, Wadi al-Zayna, al-Shahabiya, Nabatieh, and Tyre.
Sharaa begins pushing back on Israeli demands, decries Syria's 'dangerous position' - analysis
Ahmed al-Sharaa remained relatively quiet on Israel issues. However, at the annual Doha Forum, he spoke about the challenges from Damascus’ perspective.
Christmas returns to Bethlehem after two years of silent nights
As Christmas returns to the city where it began, Bethlehem moves to reconstruct its tourism industry.
Hezbollah will not disarm without Iranian consent, Lebanon's top diplomat warns
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji added that Hezbollah's current concern is to "buy time and preserve itself internally in order to regain its power."
Iran continues crackdown on dissent with human rights lawyer found dead, arrests and disappearances
If the people cannot be persuaded to fear, then they will be forced to, is the mentality behind the ayatollahs’ rule. The result is intimidation, but there is backlash amongst ordinary Iranians.
Hamas's Khaled Mashaal: We will not disarm, give up control in Gaza, or accept int'l oversight
Israel's Foreign Ministry, sharing footage of Mashaal's address, slammed the comments, calling them a "direct contradiction of the core terms of the peace plan itself."
