Page 5 - Jack Dutton News Today

Despite pressure from the US and other allies, alongside mounting military casualties, the Israeli premier announced Sunday that the military would continue the war "until absolute victory."Rina Bassist, Ezgi Akin, Beatrice Farhat, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Adam Lucente, Jack Dutton, Jared Szuba and Al-Monitor’s contributors on the ground in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel contributed to this blog.

During his annual Christmas message, Pope Francis called for peace in Gaza and the release of roughly 100 hostages who are being held in the enclave since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Sayyed Razi Mousavi, one of the top IRGC commanders in Syria, was killed in an Israeli strike near Damascus as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza continues.

Despite pressure from the US and other allies, alongside mounting military casualties, the Israeli premier announced Sunday that the military would continue the war "until absolute victory."

The escalation came as clashes continued between Israel and Hezbollah on the Lebanon border and Iraqi militias claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Israel’s Karish gas field in the Mediterranean.

Hamas rejected an Israeli offer for a week-long cease-fire in exchange for the release of 40 hostages held in Gaza, The Wall Street Journal reported, as heavy fighting was reported in northern Gaza.

Hamas rejected an Israeli offer for a week-long cease-fire in exchange for the release of 40 hostages held in Gaza, The Wall Street Journal reported, with heavy fighting taking place in northern Gaza.

The UAE-sponsored resolution passed after marathon five-day negotiations over its draft amid disagreements over the “cessation of hostilities” language.

Hamas rejected an Israeli offer for a week-long cease-fire in exchange for the release of 40 hostages held in Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported, as heavy fighting was reported in northern Gaza.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's visit to Cairo comes amid reports that the militant group and Israel are interested in a new hostage deal in exchange for a truce in Gaza.