Trump:
Trump: Hostage deal a first step toward lasting Middle East peace
US President-elect comments on hostage deal at rally in Washington, DC: This agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November.
News writer based in North America
Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.
News by Elad Benari
Trump's Middle East envoy:
Trump's Middle East envoy: The hostage deal doesn't happen without Trump
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, speaks at victory rally for Trump, ahead of his inauguration: The President was responsible for this release, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude, as do all the families.
Antisemitism in Australia:
Antisemitism in Australia: Sydney home previously owned by Jewish leader vandalized
Home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, previously owned by co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, vandalized in the latest antisemitic attack in the country.
Khamenei hails ceasefire deal as 'defeat' for Israel
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, attributes ceasefire and hostage release deal to "the patience of the people and the steadfastness of Palestinian resistance".
Trump:
Trump: Hostage deal better be done before I take the oath of office
US President-elect stresses urgency of finalizing the ceasefire and hostage release agreement before his inauguration on Monday: It better be done.
During military drills:
Iranian military introduces sophisticated reconnaissance ship during military drills
Iranian media claims the ship, named Zagros, is outfitted with "electronic sensors," interceptors, and additional cyber and intelligence capabilities.
Marco Rubio:
Marco Rubio: We will overturn sanctions on residents of Judea and Samaria
Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, says during confirmation hearing that the incoming administration will end the sanctions on Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria: I’m confident Trump’s administration will continue to be perhaps the most pro-Israel administration in American history.
Iranian FM:
Iranian FM: European powers committed to reviving nuclear negotiations
After talks in Geneva with Britain, France and Germany, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says the three appear committed to reviving nuclear negotiations: We felt the seriousness.
ICC prosecutor to court:
ICC prosecutor to court: Reject Israel's move to dismiss arrest warrants
Chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, urges judges to dismiss Israel’s appeal challenging the court's jurisdiction, in wake of arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.
Iranian President insists:
Iranian President insists: We never planned to assassinate Trump
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denies in interview with NBC News that his country planned to assassinate Trump: Another one of those schemes that Israel and other countries are designing to promote Iranophobia.
Antisemitism in Canada:
Antisemitism in Canada: Toronto-area kosher restaurant location and office broken into
Police in Toronto and in York Region investigating two incidents of graffiti, vandalism, and a break-in against a kosher restaurant and caterer.
UN rapporteur suggests connection between LA fires and Gaza
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur who has become notorious for her anti-Israel rhetoric, sparks controversy after appearing to draw a connection between the Los Angeles wildfires and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Trump on hostage deal:
Trump on hostage deal: If they don't get it done, there's going to be a lot of trouble
US President-elect speaks to Newsmax on the talks for a hostage release deal: I understand there’s been a handshake and they’re getting it finished. It has to take place.
Cuba joins South Africa's ICJ case against Israel
Cuba becomes the latest country to declare its intention to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Libya’s former foreign minister:
Libya’s former foreign minister: 2023 meeting with Israeli minister was not wrong
Libya’s former foreign minister, Najla al-Mangoush, says her 2023 meeting with then-Foreign Minister Eli Cohen was coordinated with the Libyan government.
JD Vance:
JD Vance: Progress in hostage deal talks driven by Trump’s 'hell to pay' warning
US Vice President-elect sheds light on Trump’s warning that “all hell will break loose” if hostages aren't freed by January 20: It means enabling the Israelis to knock out the final couple of battalions of Hamas and their leadership.
CENTCOM commander visits aircraft carrier in Red Sea
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of United States Central Command, visits USS Harry S. Truman which is operating in the Red Sea as part of ongoing operations against the Houthis.
'Hitler on top'
'Hitler on top': Sydney, Australia synagogue vandalized with antisemitic graffiti
Swastikas painted on exterior of the Southern Sydney Synagogue in Allawah, along with the message “Hitler on top.” Police investigating.
Biden on hostage deal:
Biden on hostage deal: We’re making progress, I’m still hopeful we can have a deal
US President expresses hope that a ceasefire and hostage release deal can be reached before January 20, when he leaves office: Hamas is the one getting in the way of that right now.
Polish PM:
Polish PM: We won’t arrest Netanyahu if he attends Auschwitz commemoration
Following ICC warrant, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says Netanyahu will have safe passage and will not face arrest if he attends the 80th-anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz later this month.
Due to 'anti-Palestinian racism'
Amnesty International suspends Israeli branch due to 'anti-Palestinian racism'
Amnesty International, which has faced criticism for previously accusing Israel of “apartheid” and “genocide” in Gaza, suspends its Israeli branch and accuses members of Amnesty Israel of undermining its findings.
Biden to leave decision on Syria sanctions to Trump
US officials say the Biden administration is expected to leave the decision on lifting sanctions against Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader to the incoming Trump administration.
Ireland formally joins ICJ genocide case against Israel
Ireland formally joins South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The move comes amid already strained relations between Israel and Ireland.
Speaker Johnson announces:
Speaker Johnson announces: House to vote on ICC sanctions bill this week
House Speaker Mike Johnson announces the House will approve sanctions against ICC and its Chief Prosecutor following arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant: We will not tolerate rogue actors who circumvent international law to attack Israel and threaten America.
US Army targets ISIS in Iraq and Syria
CENTCOM says it and its partner forces conducted operations in Iraq and Syria, from December 30 to January 6, targeting known ISIS locations. One Coalition member was killed but no US personnel were harmed.
New Orleans attack:
Condition of Israelis injured in New Orleans attack improves
The families of the two Israelis are by their side at a local hospital, and they will be eventually transferred for medical treatment in Israel.
US eases some sanctions on Syria
US issues six-month general license allowing specific transactions with the Syrian government, including certain energy sales and related activities, to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the country.
Iranian FM:
Iranian FM: We are fully prepared for further Israeli attacks
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warns that further Israeli attacks on Iran could escalate into a broader conflict.
Report:
Report: 60 terrorists captured in Gaza treated in Israeli hospitals
60 terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who were arrested at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, were brought for medical treatment in hospitals in Israel.
Among some greats:
Among some greats: Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija a finalist for Player of the Month
Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers a finalist for Player of the Month in the Western Conference, alongside LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, among others. The honor went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Toronto-area teen arrested over plans to join ISIS
Teen from Newmarket, Ontario, was arrested last month on suspicion of planning to travel abroad to join ISIS, according to report.
On January 13:
Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, Britain, and Germany on January 13
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs stresses the talks in Geneva will be "consultations, not negotiations."
Trump:
Trump: They better let the hostages come back soon
US President-elect reiterates his warning to Hamas about returning all the hostages that it is holding in the Gaza Strip.
In Yemen:
US Army strikes Houthi facilities in Yemen used to attack vessels
US Army announces it struck several Houthi targets in Yemen over two days, part of CENTCOM's effort to degrade Houthi efforts to threaten regional partners and military and merchant vessels in the region.
In January
Former Senator Bob Menendez to be sentenced in January as planned
Judge rules that former New Jersey Senator will be sentenced on corruption charges on January 29, while his wife will face trial on similar charges starting February 5.
Egypt:
Egypt: Three police officers killed in gas explosion in Cairo
Gas explosion at Egypt's police academy in Cairo claims the lives of three police officers. No foul play suspected.
Son of Muslim Brotherhood leader detained in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities detain Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi, Egyptian opposition activist and son of the late Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi, will consider extradition.
Arab League warns Iran against ‘fuelling strife’ in post-Assad Syria
Arab League urges Iran to avoid actions that could inflame tensions in Syria, following the ouster of Tehran's ally Bashar Al-Assad.
UN chief condemns Israel’s strikes against Houthis in Yemen
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Israel’s strikes against Houthis in Yemen are “especially alarming”, calls "for all parties concerned to cease all military actions and exercise utmost restraint."
Pope Francis:
Pope Francis: May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released
Pope Francis again relates to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, uses traditional Christmas message to call for peace in the Middle East.
