Israel says Hamas has not provided any information about the status of those 34 hostages, dampening any notion that the endorsement is a step toward a deal to stop the war.

Israel and Hamas are once again struggling to reach a ceasefire that could wind down the 15-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of Israelis held hostage

In a yearly address to diplomats delivered on his behalf by an aide, Francis appeared to reference deaths caused by winter cold in Gaza, where there is almost no electricity.

Gaza Israel and Hamas are inching closer to a deal to pause their 15-month war in Gaza and enact a hostages-for-prisoners swap, sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The National on Wednesday.

Our planet is the closest it has ever been to a global nuclear holocaust, the scientific community has warned over the past two years.

Israel said Monday that Hamas had yet to clarify whether 34 hostages it said it was ready to free were dead or alive, throwing doubt on the group's assertion that it needed time to ascertain their fate.

Each of the three men had taken steps to familiarise themselves with weapons, with one visiting a shooting range in Bangkok.

As the renewed clashes in the north of the enclave neared the three-month mark, there was no sign of them abating.

The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza with ceasefire talks resuming in Qatar.

Gaza's Health Ministry says the Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has passed 46,000.

With a lineup of 133 films from 25 countries — including 20 world premieres — the Miami Jewish Film Festival returns to South Florida for its 28th year.