Mohammad Sinwar, the elusive Hamas military chief in Gaza, had for months since the death of his brother, in 2024, been Israel's most wanted man. On December 29, Hamas announced that he had died, aged 49,

It’s hemmed in by Israel’s tanks and troops. US President Donald Trump has threatened it with annihilation. But Hamas, defiant in the ruins of less than half of Gaza, is clawing its way back to a semblance of pre-war governance.

Sources close to Hamas say Sinwar developed close ties with Marwan Issa, the deputy commander of Hamas' ​military wing, and Mohammed Deif, the aloof military chief. Both men were killed by Israel in 2024. In its statement announcing Sinwar's death on December 29, Hamas said that he had succeeded Deif.

A young woman held captive by Hamas for more than a year revealed her deep-seated fear that her captors would use her as a “sex slave” after repeated sexual assaults — and said they promised her an early release for her silence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration that the Rafah crossing in Gaza would not reopen until Hamas had handed over the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage still in the strip, according to a report by KAN, Israel's public broadcaster.

TEL AVIV—Despite its evident appeal, few Israelis think near-term success is in store for the Trump administration’s “Project Sunrise.” Drafted by President Trump’s son-in-law Jared

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a commission with members chosen in a way that departs from existing law.

Cohen spent roughly a year and a half as a hostage of Hamas following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel that sparked two years of bloodshed, with a ceasefire having tenuously held for the past several weeks. For much of that time, Cohen was held by Hamas in underground tunnels.