Sa'ar's diplomatic initiative prompts global condemnations as foreign ministers across continents demand unconditional release of hostages held since October 7.

The historian Yosef ben Matityahu (Flavius Josephus) chronicled one of the most harrowing events in Jewish history: The Great Revolt, which ended with the destruction of the Second Temple. But Dr. Hanan Birnbaum, a scholar of Jerusalem’s history, cautions: “His account is biased. He had a clear, dual agenda.” So what really happened?

The footage of hostage Evyatar David has shaken the Israeli public. His sister Ya’ala, the family’s most prominent voice, says she has chosen not to view the second video, in which her brother is seen digging his own grave. “Only my father watched it.”

Protesters marched across Sydney’s Harbour Bridge despite heavy rain and strong winds, waving Palestinian flags and chanting against Israel. Some carried pots and pans to protest the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. A similar demonstration was held in Melbourne.

Hamas deserves no reward for the horrific October 7 assault, but what remained unaccomplished during two years of warfare will not be remedied through additional months of stagnation and casualties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly declares Israel represents the region's strongest power, so what exactly does he fear?