Latest Israel News

Live updates | Mediators try to extend Gaza truce, which could expire within a day

Nov. 29, 2023 11:20 AM EST

With hours left to go before a truce in Gaza expires, international mediators worked to extend it to facilitate the release of militant-held hostages and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The cease-fire has paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades. ...

Mediators aim to extend Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza ahead of last planned hostage swap

Nov. 29, 2023 10:00 AM EST

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — International mediators appeared to make progress Wednesday on extending the truce in Gaza, encouraging Hamas militants to keep freeing hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and further relief from Israel's air and ground offensive. The cease-fire...

South Africa march demands a permanent Gaza cease-fire on day of solidarity with Palestinians

Nov. 29, 2023 09:54 AM EST

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Members of South African political parties, civil society organisations and other supporters marched through the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday demanding a permanent cease-fire in Gaza as they marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. ...

Israel compares Hamas to the Islamic State group. But the comparison misses the mark in key ways

Nov. 29, 2023 08:56 AM EST

JERUSALEM (AP) — It has become an Israeli mantra throughout the latest war in Gaza: Hamas is ISIS. Since the bloody Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that triggered the conflict, Israeli leaders and commanders have likened the Palestinian militant group to the Islamic State group in virtually...

Blinken seeks a new extension of the Gaza cease-fire as he heads again to the Middle East

Nov. 29, 2023 07:20 AM EST

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Biden administration would like to see a new extension of the cease-fire agreement in Israel’s war with Hamas after the current one expires to secure the release of additional hostages held by the militant group and to ramp up...

Live updates | Israel releases 30 prisoners after Hamas frees 12 hostages in extended truce deal

Nov. 29, 2023 01:40 AM EST

The latest swap of Hamas militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel took place Tuesday evening as part of a cease-fire agreement between the warring sides. Ten Israeli hostages — nine women and a 17-year-old girl — and two Thais were handed over to the Red...

With deadline looming, diplomats seek to extend Gaza truce; more hostages, prisoners are freed

Nov. 28, 2023 20:23 PM EST

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas and Israel released more hostages and prisoners under terms of a fragile cease-fire that held for a fifth day Tuesday as international mediators in Qatar worked to extend the truce. The United States urged Israel to better protect Palestinian civilians in...

The US tells Israel any ground campaign in southern Gaza must limit further civilian displacement

Nov. 28, 2023 18:57 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has told Israel that it must work to avoid “significant further displacement” of Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza if it renews its ground campaign aimed at eradicating the Hamas militant group, senior U.S. officials said Tuesday. ...

As Dubai prepares for COP28, some world leaders signal they won't attend climate talks

Nov. 28, 2023 18:52 PM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dubai prepared Tuesday to host the COP28 climate talks as world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden and Pope Francis signaled they would not be attending the negotiations that come during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war roiling the wider Middle East. ...

Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas

Nov. 28, 2023 15:46 PM EST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hostage freed by Hamas said in an interview that she was initially fed well in captivity until conditions worsened and people became hungry. She was kept in a “suffocating” room and slept on plastic chairs with a sheet for nearly 50 days. In...