Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Christians worldwide a Merry Christmas and thanked the Christian community for its support.

Lebanon's leader on Monday toured parts of his country amid large Israeli gains of Hezbollah weapons. Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for Israel's military to exit the region after a recent cease-fire agreement.

Israel won’t permit Hezbollah operatives to return to villages in southern Lebanon and reestablish infrastructure that would pose a threat to Israeli communities, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday.

Part of a Crusader castle crumbled. An 18th century minaret felled. Church mosaics burned. Archaeologists are assessing damage to UNESCO World Heritage Sites from Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Syria.

The ancient Christian community in the coastal city of Tyre has little cause for celebration this year, with many mourning their dead and still rattled by months of Israeli bombardment.

Pager is a lot more compact than walkie-talkies, and so great care had been taken in ensuring they are functional and can cause damage.

Syrian President Bashar Assad's ouster has ended Iran's 40-year dominance and quest for hegemony in the region, further weakened his allies in Lebanon and created a new opportunity for establishing normal relations.

Iran on Tuesday denounced what it termed Israel's "brazen admission" of having killed former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this year, a

Rebel forces in Syria are building a transitional government after toppling the regime of President Bashar Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran this summer, revealing the extent of Israel's operations against militant leaders.