Amsterdam pogrom perpetrators receive first convictions | Former hostage Hannah Katzir dies at 76 | Knesset approves budget deficit due to war

15:22 - Lebanon files official complaint over alleged Israeli ceasefire violations with UN Security Council

Lebanon has filed a formal protest with the UN Security Council over alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire and arrangements under UNSC 1701, its foreign ministry said.

Lebanon claims over 816 military violations between Nov. 27 and Dec. 22, 2024, both on the ground and in the air.

13:56 - Dutch court hands out first convictions for 5 perpetrators in Amsterdam pogrom

A Dutch court convicted five people for taking part in the events widely dubbed a "pogrom" against Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam in November. Six additional suspects are yet to receive sentences, including one accused of attempted murder, who is currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation.

The highest sentence was handed to a 32-year-old identified as Sefa O., who will spend six months in prison for playing a "leading role" in the events, including kicking and punching Israelis.

Another man, Umutcan A., received an eight-month prison sentence, with three months suspended, for assaulting Israelis and calling for a “Jew hunt” on the internet.

12:16 - PM Netanyahu offers condolences to the family of Hannah Katzir

"My wife Sarah and I mourn the passing of the late Hannah Katzir, a survivor of captivity, who passed away after a year of fighting for her life," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated.

"We managed to bring home Hannah who was brutally kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, but her body and soul bore the scars of the horror until her last day."

"We embrace the Katzir family and are committed to doing everything and continuing to work tirelessly until we bring all our hostages home," Netanyahu said.

11:31 - IDF announces start of new large-scale counterterror operation in Samaria city of Tulkarm

Eighteen suspected terrorists were arrested and several weapons were confiscated across Judea and Samaria overnight, as the IDF and security forces began a brigade-level counter-terror operation in the city of Tulkarm.

Forces of the IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police have eliminated several terrorists during the raid so far and continue to search the town for additional suspects and weapons.

Other terrorists and weapons were discovered in overnight raids, including in Nablus, where Israeli forces shot and killed a terrorist as he attempted to escape, the IDF stated.

10:15 - Netanyahu arrives at court to continue testimony

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court to continue his testimony in the corruption cases against him. The prime minister has been required to give testimony three days per week, despite requesting a reduced schedule due to the war effort.

09:05 - Released hostage Hannah Katzir dies at age 76

Hannah Katzir, one of the hostages released during the November 2023 hostage release deal, has died, according to a statement from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where she lived at the time of the Oct. 7 attacks.

08:21 - Foreign Ministry lobbies to have Houthis declared a terrorist organization in Europe

Following the Houthi missile attacks against Israel, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar instructed the Israeli missions in the European Union and the United Kingdom to actively promote the designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization. In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said that "the Houthis rely on the active assistance of the Iranian regime, which finances, arms, trains and provides them with operational assistance."

The ministry also noted that the Houthis are already declared a terrorist organization in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Israel.

04:55 - US CENTCOM attacks ISIS forces in Syria

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it attacked ISIS forces in the Deir az-Zawr province of Syria, killing two ISIS members and destroying a truckload of weapons.

CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Operatives, Destroy Truckload of Weapons in Syria Airstrike

On Dec. 23, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a precision airstrike in the Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria, killing two ISIS operatives and wounding one.

The terrorists were moving a… pic.twitter.com/YxaL8mKxnd

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 24, 2024

04:05 - Knesset approved budget deficit due to war expenses

The Knesset approved a law to increase the deficit due to defense expenditures from the war. The bill passed with 62 in favor and 52 opposed. According to the law, the overall deficit rate for 2024 will not exceed 7.7% of GDP. Government expenditure will increase by 17.8% compared to last year. The Knesset also authorized a one-year extension to the nationwide state of emergency, which grants the cabinet powers to enact emergency regulations, which can even override Knesset legislation.

02:11 - Houthi official says they won't stop attacks on Israel until 'aggression in Gaza stops'

Shortly after the missile interception, Hizam Al-Assad, a member of the Houthis' political bureau in Yemen, who often tweets in Hebrew, posted the following message on 𝕏: "We will not stop, until the aggression against our people in Gaza stops. Netanyahu will know that the dreams of the new Middle East are nothing but a punishment for him and his imported entity."

01:58 - Houthi missile intercepted over central Israel

Following sirens that sounded in several central Israeli communities, the IDF said a projectile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted outside the atmosphere before crossing into Israeli territory. Rocket and missile sirens were sounded due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception.