An Israeli official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed a close confidant to lead negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire with Hamas.

Officials say Israel and Hamas appear to be inching closer to a phased ceasefire agreement.

For the world, 2024 was riven by conflict on two fronts.

One of the Vatican's Nativity scenes raised eyebrows when it was unveiled because it featured a keffiyeh, the Palestinian headscarf.