The "terms of reference" for restarting diplomatic discussions with the Palestinians are expected to be the main focus of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's discussions with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt on Tuesday, amid signs that US Middle East envoy George Mitchell has made inroads on this matter.

Thousands of Christians will attend Midnight Mass at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

Fifteen Israeli civilians wounded in Palestinian rocket attacks have petitioned a Belgian court to issue arrest warrants against leaders of the Gaza Strip's ruling Hamas movement.

President Obama signed a defense appropriations bill that includes $202 million in defense cooperation with Israel.

Christian Palestinians living in Gaza will be permitted to enter Israel and visit Bethlehem for Christmas.

Iran has successfully tested an upgraded version of its longest-range solid-fuel missile, according to an Iranian State TV report on Wednesday, which did not provide details on the Sajjil-2 missile test.

Egyptian security forces on Monday destroyed a tunnel being used to smuggle cars into the Gaza Strip.

Israel's top-ranked player won the 2009 Chess World Cup.

The US was not apprised in advance of plans to place dozens of settlements in the revised national priorities map that will be brought to the cabinet on Sunday, but it has been assured that the incentives to be given in these areas will have nothing to do with housing or construction

U.S. President Barack Obama accepted the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Thursday, acknowledging the controversy over the choice of a wartime president and saying he reserved the right to take action to protect the United States.