Israel pulling thousands of troops from Gaza as combat focuses on main southern city

Israel's military said in a statement Monday that five brigades, or several thousand troops, were being taken out of Gaza in the coming weeks for training and rest.

South Africa files case at top UN court accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza

South Africa has launched a case at the United Nations’ top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and asking the court to order Israel to halt its attacks.

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."

Lincoln Memorial steps vandalized with ‘Free Gaza’ graffiti, red paint

National Park Service conservators removed almost all the latex and spray paint from the area around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The conservation team is scheduled to apply one more treatment and wash to remove the remaining light shadow from the spray paint on Thursday morning.

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.

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.

Pentagon orders US aircraft carrier to remain near Israel as war in Gaza rages on

U.S. officials say Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is ordering the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier and one other warship to remain in the Mediterranean Sea for several more weeks as Israel's war with Hamas grinds on.

Biden to host Hanukkah ceremony at White House amid fears of rising antisemitism

Antisemitism has only intensified since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and other militants sparked Israel's ongoing war in Gaza -- which faces heightened criticism for the mounting Palestinian death toll.

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.