In Israel and the West Bank, 2009 was the year that ended without a bang -- and people were grateful for it. For the first time in a decade, Israel experienced a year without a suicide bombing. Inside the West Bank, besides the deployment of roadblocks and checkpoints, Israeli troops have honed a successful modus operandi around Palestinian cities: During the day they usually stay out of sight, and at night, acting on real-time intelligence, they move in on would-be terrorist cells.

The Israel Defense Forces launched a series of air strikes overnight Thursday against targets in the Gaza Strip, hours after a Qassam rocket fired from the Strip hit southern Israel.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday that he would continue to enforce the government's decision to halt construction in the West Bank, despite receiving multiple death threats apparently from settlers angry over the temporary freeze.

Israel inched a step closer to deploying a missile defense system along the border with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday after the Iron Dome successfully intercepted a number of missile barrages in tests held in southern Israel this week.

Israel's Air Force attacked a group of Palestinians preparing to fire rockets from southern Gaza into Israel, killing one.

While an Israeli magician sat in an ice cube in Tel Aviv for 64 hours in a bid to shatter a world record, settler leaders in Jerusalem prepared to smash an ice cube of a very different sort this week opposite the prime minister’s residence.

A senior member of the Fatah movement on Sunday dismissed Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal's remarks that the warring Palestinian factions were close to deal for reconciliation.

Israel had a dramatic drop in terrorist attacks this year, Israel's internal security service said in its annual review.

Israel has solicited bids to build nearly 700 new apartments in Jewish neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem.

Kadima party lawmakers unanimously rejected Benjamin Netanyahu's offer to join his government.