Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has a series of vexing choices to make in the year ahead on issues including Gaza, conscription and a judicial overhaul, with elections looming.

At least 12 people, including a 2-week-old infant, have died since Dec. 13 from hypothermia or weather-related collapses of war-damaged homes, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israel becomes first nation to recognize Somaliland, formalizing ties as Netanyahu and Abdullahi sign declaration.

Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation.

Defense Minister Israel Katz had proposed that Army Radio, broadcasting since the early days of the state, will be shut down by March 1.

The Knesset passed a bill in its first reading to establish a special commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, in line with the wishes of Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected the idea of a more independent body.

On Wednesday, Netanyahu will meet Evangelical leaders at 10:30 a.m. at his hotel, then will head to the Shul of Bal Harbour for an event with lawmakers, Jewish and community leaders, and local students. He takes off for Israel on Thursday afternoon and is slated to land back in Israel early Friday afternoon.