Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to the United States on Sunday to meet President Donald Trump in Florida the following day, according to an Israeli official in Jerusalem. This will be their fifth meeting of the year, taking place as the United States and regional mediators intensify efforts to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the meeting may cover a range of regional issues, including Iran, the Israel-Syria security agreement, a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the next stage of the Gaza agreement. Progress on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, brokered in October by Washington and regional allies, has been slow, with both sides accusing each other of violations and mediators fearing deliberate delays.

According to Axios, the Trump-Netanyahu meeting is considered crucial for advancing the next phase of the Gaza deal. The report also noted growing dissatisfaction among senior Trump administration officials over Netanyahu’s role in the stalled peace process.

Hamas has called on Israel to allow an impartial international investigation into the October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel. The Palestinian group released a 42-page document rejecting accusations of killing or committing atrocities against Israeli civilians. The document provides detailed accounts of the events of that day, Hamas’s perspective on Israel’s actions in Gaza, and its view of the ongoing conflict.

According to the document, Hamas claims Western media and pro-Israel lobby groups spread misleading narratives about the attack, including false reports of child killings and sexual violence. It states that such claims were used to justify what Hamas describes as a genocidal campaign in Gaza. The group says it had offered to release civilian hostages shortly after the attack, but Israel initially refused. During a brief truce in November 2023, about 100 hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas attributes the October 7 assault to decades of Israeli occupation, Gaza’s blockade, repeated violations of the Oslo Accords, and international inaction. The document concludes that Hamas is an inseparable part of the Palestinian national structure.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Sunday, where he is expected to press for additional military action against Iran. The meeting follows the U.S. bombing of Tehran’s nuclear facilities in June, an operation that Trump claims destroyed three sites completely. Analysts believe Netanyahu remains unsatisfied and is now emphasizing Iran’s missile program as the next target.

Israeli officials and their allies are again calling for urgent measures against Iran’s missile capabilities, while analysts warn that another conflict would contradict Trump’s stated foreign policy priorities. Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy noted that Trump seeks to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab states, whereas Netanyahu aims to expand military dominance in the region.

Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute told Al Jazeera that Israel is pressuring the U.S. to remain engaged in a prolonged confrontation with Iran, shifting focus to missiles since Trump has declared the nuclear issue resolved.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel will never withdraw from Gaza and announced plans to establish a wide security perimeter around the enclave as well as authorize settlements in its northern region. Katz made the remarks on Thursday during a public event, according to Anadolu Agency. Earlier in the week, he had made similar comments regarding settlement construction in northern Gaza.

The report states that Israel, with U.S. support, launched a major war in Gaza in October 2023, resulting in over 71,000 Palestinian deaths and injuries, most of them women and children. A ceasefire proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump took effect on October 10, but Israel has allegedly violated it daily, causing 411 additional Palestinian deaths.

Katz further said that Israel would eventually establish the Nahal outpost in northern Gaza and exercise what he described as “de facto sovereignty” similar to its control in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Authority accused Israel of intensifying annexation efforts in the West Bank through demolitions, forced displacement, and settlement expansion, warning that such actions undermine the UN-backed two-state solution.

Fourteen countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Denmark, have jointly condemned Israel’s decision to authorize 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, the nations described the move as illegal under international law and warned that it endangers the fragile Gaza ceasefire and prospects for long-term regional stability.

The statement, endorsed by Belgium, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom, urged Israel to reverse the decision. The countries reaffirmed their opposition to any annexation or expansion of settlements and reiterated support for the Palestinian right to self-determination. Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed the approval, stating the plan aims to prevent the creation of a future Palestinian state.

Diplomatic observers warn that the move could further strain Israel’s relations with Western allies and complicate ongoing mediation efforts to sustain the Gaza truce. The development underscores renewed tensions surrounding the two-state solution and international law compliance.

The Israeli military on Wednesday confirmed the death of a Hamas financial officer in a December 13 airstrike in Gaza, identifying him as a key figure in the group’s armed wing. The official, named Zakut, was killed alongside senior Hamas commander Raed Saad during a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency. Saad was reportedly one of the planners of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

According to IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee, Zakut was responsible for managing millions of dollars in funding for Hamas’s military activities over the past year. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya had earlier confirmed Saad’s death but did not mention Zakut. The IDF described Saad as head of Hamas’s weapons production headquarters, overseeing the group’s military buildup.

The announcement comes amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, in effect since October 10, which both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating. The identification of Zakut underscores Israel’s continued targeting of Hamas’s financial and military infrastructure.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza, indicating plans to establish military outposts in the northern part of the enclave. His remarks, reported by Israeli media on Tuesday, came as mediators push for the second phase of a ceasefire that includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory.

Katz made the statement during a ceremony at the Beit El settlement in the occupied West Bank, asserting that Israel’s continued presence in Gaza is necessary to prevent future attacks. Former minister and ex-chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot sharply criticized Katz’s comments, accusing the government of undermining national unity at a critical security juncture.

The remarks complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts, including proposals for an interim Palestinian authority to govern Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force. Observers warn that Israel’s stance could stall ceasefire progress and deepen regional tensions.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has proposed building a ‘crocodile-enclosed detention center’ for Palestinian prisoners to prevent escapes, according to Israeli Channel 13. The proposed site lies near Hamat Gader in northern Israel, close to the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and the Jordanian border, an area that already hosts a crocodile farm and a zoo.

Ben-Gvir reportedly presented the idea during a security assessment meeting with Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi. The Israeli Knesset is also expected to vote on a separate bill he introduced, which seeks to impose the death penalty on Palestinians accused of planning or participating in attacks against Israel.

Human rights groups in Israel and Palestine have condemned the proposal as inhumane and politically provocative. Over 9,300 Palestinians, including women and children, are currently detained in Israeli prisons. The plan emerges amid ongoing violence in Gaza, where more than 70,900 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to rights monitors.

Israel’s security cabinet has approved the establishment of 19 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to a government statement released on Sunday. The decision, which brings the total number of approved settlements in the past three years to 69, was announced by the office of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, himself a settler living in the West Bank. The statement reaffirmed Israel’s intent to continue expanding settlements in what it calls Judea and Samaria.

The move has sparked strong international backlash. Saudi Arabia condemned the decision, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized it as a serious escalation that undermines prospects for a two-state solution. Guterres warned that continued settlement expansion heightens regional tensions and jeopardizes peace efforts in the Middle East.

Analysts say the approval further isolates Israel diplomatically and complicates any future negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. The development is expected to feature prominently in upcoming UN discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump later this month to discuss Iran’s expanding ballistic missile program and potential military responses, according to an NBC News report citing Israeli officials. The meeting is likely to take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where Netanyahu plans to outline Israel’s assessment of Iran’s growing threat.

Israeli sources told NBC that Tehran has been rebuilding its uranium enrichment facilities following U.S. airstrikes in June, raising fears of renewed escalation. Officials in Jerusalem reportedly intend to alert Trump to possible preemptive action against Iran. The meeting comes only months after a brief two-week conflict between Israel and Iran earlier this year, during which Israel claimed to have damaged Iran’s missile infrastructure.

Neither the Israeli government nor Iran’s mission to the United Nations commented on the report. Analysts suggest the talks could signal Israel’s effort to secure U.S. political backing for future operations, as regional tensions remain high.

Amnesty International has called on governments worldwide to prevent a German-owned cargo vessel from delivering a large consignment of military equipment to Israel. The ship, sailing under the Portuguese flag, is reportedly carrying around 440 tons of mortar bomb components, projectiles, and military-grade steel. Amnesty claims the shipment poses a serious risk of being used in potential war crimes or genocide in Gaza.

According to Amnesty’s verification, the vessel, named *Holger Z*, departed India on November 16 and is en route to the Israeli port of Haifa. The organization’s senior director for research and advocacy, Erika Guevara-Rosas, stated that allowing the cargo to reach Israel could contribute to ongoing atrocities against Palestinians. She warned that countries continuing normal trade with Israel risk complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity.

The appeal comes amid heightened scrutiny of arms transfers to Israel during the Gaza conflict. Observers expect renewed debate over international arms control and accountability mechanisms in the coming weeks.

Israel’s war cabinet has reportedly discussed the possibility of launching a new military offensive in Gaza, according to state broadcaster Kan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired the meeting, which focused on potential changes in U.S. policy toward the conflict. Officials reviewed scenarios in which Washington might scale back its direct involvement or advance President Donald Trump’s proposals without Israeli government approval.

A senior Israeli official told Kan that if diplomatic efforts fail or the U.S. position changes fundamentally, renewed military action could be considered. The meeting took place ahead of Netanyahu’s planned December 29 meeting with Trump in Florida. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Turkish, Qatari, and Egyptian representatives in Miami to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.

The current ceasefire, implemented on October 10 under Trump’s mediation, ended two years of intense Israeli operations in Gaza that reportedly killed around 71,000 people, mostly women and children. Analysts warn that renewed hostilities could destabilize fragile regional diplomacy and humanitarian recovery efforts.

European members of the UN Security Council have sharply condemned escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, calling it a record level of aggression. In a joint statement delivered by UK Ambassador James Kariuki on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom, the group cited over 260 attacks against Palestinians in October alone, according to UN humanitarian data.

Kariuki emphasized that the Council will revisit Resolution 2334, which explicitly denounces settlement activities and urges Israel to comply with international law. He warned that current Israeli policies contradict the resolution, heightening instability in the West Bank and jeopardizing both Gaza’s 20-point recovery plan and prospects for a two-state solution.

The European bloc reiterated opposition to illegal settlement expansion, forced evictions in East Jerusalem, and new housing projects. They urged Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and preserve the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites, underscoring that continued violence undermines peace efforts and regional stability.

Israel has released 11 Palestinian detainees after holding them for several months, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners Information Office. The release took place through a southern Gaza border crossing, though no details were provided about the prisoners’ physical condition. The International Committee of the Red Cross transported them to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah for medical evaluation.

Previous groups of released detainees had reported signs of torture, malnutrition, and serious injuries, alleging mistreatment during detention. Human rights organizations in both Israel and Palestine estimate that more than 10,000 Palestinians, including women and minors, remain imprisoned in Israel. Many face poor conditions, inadequate medical care, and reports of abuse.

The latest release follows earlier prisoner exchanges linked to ceasefire arrangements between Hamas and Israel. Observers say the move may signal limited progress in humanitarian negotiations, though concerns persist over the treatment of detainees and the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel has approved a record-breaking natural gas export agreement with Egypt valued at approximately $34.67 billion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the deal, involving the Leviathan gas field and partners including U.S. energy giant Chevron, as the largest in Israel’s history and a historic milestone. The agreement will see Israel supply gas to Egypt over several years, expanding the countries’ energy cooperation.

The announcement comes as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, according to the United Nations and human rights groups. Observers note the stark contrast between Israel’s expanding regional economic partnerships and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestinian territories. Critics argue that while Israel promotes regional stability through energy diplomacy, its actions in Gaza undermine that goal.

Egypt’s declining gas production since 2022 has increased its reliance on Israeli imports, reshaping the regional energy landscape. Analysts suggest the deal could strengthen Israel’s role as a key energy supplier in the Eastern Mediterranean.