Hamas confirms death of spokesperson Abu Obeida, months after Israeli assassination
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December 29, 2025
December 29, 2025
Azerbaijan reaffirms support for Somalia, opposes recognition of Somaliland
The Republic of Azerbaijan, in a statement on Monday, reiterated its full support for "the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia within its internationally recognized borders."
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, earlier this month. Credit: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP
Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, earlier this month. Credit: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that "recognition of the 'Somaliland' region of the Federal Republic of Somalia contradicts norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter."
"Azerbaijan has gone through its own painful experience with foreign military occupation and separatism in its territories, in violation of international law," the statement said.
Three Turkish police officers and six Islamic State militants killed in clash in northwest Turkey, Turkish interior minister says
Three Turkish police officers and six Islamic State militants were killed during an operation in Yalova province in northwest Turkey on Monday, Turkey's Interior Minister said, a week after more than 100 suspected IS militants were detained for planning Christmas and New Year attacks.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said eight police and another security force member were wounded in a raid on a property in the town of Yalova, on the Sea of Marmara coast south of Istanbul. More than 100 addresses were raided nationwide early on Monday.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya speaks to the media at crash site of a jet near Kesikkavak village, Turkey, on Wednesday. Credit: Stringer/Reuters
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya speaks to the media at crash site of a jet near Kesikkavak village, Turkey, on Wednesday. Credit: Stringer/Reuters
Yerlikaya told reporters that the militants killed in Monday's attack were all Turkish citizens, adding that five women and six children were brought out of the property alive.
Police teams in Yalova had launched an operation on a house believed to contain IS militants near the town of Yalova, with sporadic gunfire heard during the nearly eight-hour operation, state broadcaster TRT Haber reported.
Turkish gendarmerie special forces team during an operation on a house believed to contain suspected Islamic State militants in Yalova province, Turkey, Monday. Credit: Umit Bektas/Reuters
Turkish gendarmerie special forces team during an operation on a house believed to contain suspected Islamic State militants in Yalova province, Turkey, Monday. Credit: Umit Bektas/Reuters
Former President Rivlin: Court must decide if Herzog can pardon Netanyahu
Former President Reuven Rivlin sparked debate on Monday over presidential pardons, arguing that the courts, not the president, must determine if President Isaac Herzog can grant clemency to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Former President Rivlin at a conference in Jerusalem, Monday morning. Credit: Oded Karni
Former President Rivlin at a conference in Jerusalem, Monday morning. Credit: Oded Karni
Speaking at the Israel Democracy Institute, Rivlin questioned whether a pardon serves the state or the individual, emphasizing that pardons should recognize rehabilitation after serving a sentence rather than circumvent justice.
"We are in a situation where you cannot ignore the fact that when you are accused and accuse the state, someone has to decide who is right," Rivlin said at a conference of the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem. "Maybe the pardon serves the state, not the accused? Can the president position himself as a judge between the parties?"
He added that "a pardon is something where you give attention and refine a person after they have served their sentence, and you do everything possible to see if you can come and tell them that they have repaid their debt to society."
Former hostage says Hamas captors staged unreleased video depicting suicide attempt
Elkana Bohbot reuniting with his wife Rivka on the day he was freed from Hamas captivity following the Israel-Hamas cease-fire, in October. Credit: Shauli Landner / GPO
Elkana Bohbot reuniting with his wife Rivka on the day he was freed from Hamas captivity following the Israel-Hamas cease-fire, in October. Credit: Shauli Landner / GPO
Captivity survivor Elkana Bohbot said on Monday that his captors staged an unreleased video in which he was made to pretend to attempt suicide.
"They drew blood from our arms and beat us until we were injured in order to stage the suicide scene," he told Israeli news outlet Yedioth Ahronoth.
"They told me my mother had died and that my wife Rivka had left me," he added.
Bohbot reunites with his son at Sheba Medical Center after his release from Hamas captivity, in October. Credit: Shauli Lendner/GPO
Bohbot reunites with his son at Sheba Medical Center after his release from Hamas captivity, in October. Credit: Shauli Lendner/GPO
Bohbot recalled that he had started planning his escape the first week of his captivity, alongside other hostages.
"The idea was that we would overpower the terrorists while they were praying, draw a Star of David on a white sheet, go up to the roof, hail a helicopter, bring a flashlight and turn it on and off."
The plan, however, did not come to fruition. "They took us from the apartment down to a tunnel, and underground there was no way out," he said.
High Court hears petitions against state watchdog's review of October 7
The High Court of Justice on Monday morning heard petitions seeking to stop State Comptroller Matanya Engelman's review of "core issues" related to the failures of October 7.
The Israeli High Court of Justice, Monday morning. Credit: Olivier Fitoussi
The Israeli High Court of Justice, Monday morning. Credit: Olivier Fitoussi
These issues include the work of the Security Cabinet, intelligence activity, border defense in the Gaza Strip, economic counterterrorism efforts, and events on the day of the massacre and the night preceding it.
The petitions were filed by the Military Advocate and the Movement for Quality Government in June 2024, claiming that the audit would contaminate the work of a future investigative committee that would investigate the failures itself, and that it violates the rights of those audited.
China opposes Israel's recognition of Somaliland, reaffirms support for Somalia
China opposes any attempt to split territories in Somalia, the foreign ministry said on Monday, affirming Chinese support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the East African country.
"No country should encourage or support other countries' internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters at a press conference, urging authorities in Somaliland to stop "separatist activities and collusion with external forces".
Israel became the first country on Friday to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, seeking immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
Protesters demonstrate against the cost of living and the state budget in front of the Ministry of Finance in Jerusalem
Demonstrators protested against the cost of living and the state budget in front of the Ministry of Finance in Jerusalem.
Some protested wearing shorts and carrying a sign that read: "We lost our pants, enough looting."
Protesters in front of the Ministry of Finance in Jerusalem, Monday morning. Credit: Oren Ben Hakoon
Protesters in front of the Ministry of Finance in Jerusalem, Monday morning. Credit: Oren Ben Hakoon
The "Change Direction" organization that initiated the protest said: "Prices at the supermarket continue to rise, apartment prices are at an all-time high, and the government is raising taxes."
"This is not a fateful decision," they added. "Instead of making things easier for citizens, the government is transferring 5 billion shekels ($1.5 billion ) from the public to coalition interests, operating unnecessary offices and transferring funds to institutions that do not teach the core or to Kahanist projects in the territories."
War drives Israeli tech workers to seek relocation abroad, report says
Requests by Israeli employees at multinational tech firms to relocate abroad have risen sharply over the past year, reflecting the toll of Israel's two-year war against Hamas, according to a new report published on Sunday.
The Israel Advanced Technology Industries Association said 53 percent of multinational companies operating in Israel reported an increase in relocation requests from Israeli staff. The trend, the group warned, could over time harm Israel's innovation engine and technological leadership.
![ISRAEL PROTEST](https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00000195-b34c-debb-a5b5-b37fda7d0000/a1/85/edced15f4ed1abe51414222e9843/60880870.JPG?&width=420&height=280&cmsprod "A protester carries a "Save Our Startup Nation" banner during a 'Day of Resistance' demonstration against judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 2023. Credit: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg")
![ISRAEL PROTEST](https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00000195-b34c-debb-a5b5-b37fda7d0000/a1/85/edced15f4ed1abe51414222e9843/60880870.JPG?&width=420&height=280&cmsprod "A protester carries a "Save Our Startup Nation" banner during a 'Day of Resistance' demonstration against judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 2023. Credit: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg")
A protester carries a "Save Our Startup Nation" banner during a 'Day of Resistance' demonstration against judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 2023. Credit: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg
A protester carries a "Save Our Startup Nation" banner during a 'Day of Resistance' demonstration against judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 2023. Credit: Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg
The tech sector is a pillar of the Israeli economy, accounting for about 20 percent of GDP, 15 percent of jobs and more than half of exports. Hundreds of multinationals operate in Israel, including Microsoft, Intel, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta and Apple.
IATI said some companies are also examining transferring investments and activities abroad, particularly after supply-chain disruptions during the war. In cases where alternatives outside Israel proved efficient, there is a risk activity may not fully return.
Demand for relocation has risen, especially among senior executives and families, with more employees applying for roles outside Israel. Still, the report noted that most multinationals continue to view Israel through a long-term lens.
![Demonstrators carrying a banner outside the Knesset in Jerusalem that says "Save our startup nation" during anti-judicial reform protests in 2023.](https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00000198-184d-d89e-a7bf-7c6de5000001/82/53/61646c704f6180a45293a860e684/878179.jpg?&width=420&height=280&cmsprod "Demonstrators carrying a banner outside the Knesset in Jerusalem that says "Save our startup nation" during anti-judicial reform protests in 2023. Credit: AFP")
![Demonstrators carrying a banner outside the Knesset in Jerusalem that says "Save our startup nation" during anti-judicial reform protests in 2023.](https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00000198-184d-d89e-a7bf-7c6de5000001/82/53/61646c704f6180a45293a860e684/878179.jpg?&width=420&height=280&cmsprod "Demonstrators carrying a banner outside the Knesset in Jerusalem that says "Save our startup nation" during anti-judicial reform protests in 2023. Credit: AFP")
Demonstrators carrying a banner outside the Knesset in Jerusalem that says "Save our startup nation" during anti-judicial reform protests in 2023. Credit: AFP
Demonstrators carrying a banner outside the Knesset in Jerusalem that says "Save our startup nation" during anti-judicial reform protests in 2023. Credit: AFP
According to IATI, 57 percent of companies maintained stable activity during the fighting, while 21 percent expanded operations in Israel, indicating continued confidence despite uncertainty. Another 22 percent reported damage to business activity during the war, which began on October 7, 2023, and ended two months ago following a U.S.-led ceasefire.
IATI warned that without active government steps to ensure regulatory and geopolitical stability, Israel risks a gradual erosion of its tech ecosystem.
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