Until its notice just two days before the holiday, it was unclear whether Israel would grant permits to members of Gaza's tiny Christian community to leave the Hamas-ruled coastal territory.

Four cruise missiles are said to have been launched across the coast through Lebanese airspace toward Syria; explosions are heard near the capital Damascus.

The Middle East has experienced a tumultuous 10 years, posing challenges and opportunities alike for the only democracy in its midst. Israel Hayom counts down its topmost significant events of the decade in the realm of defense and security.

If and when ICC judges rule it is within their jurisdiction to put Israelis on trial for "war crimes" allegedly committed in Judea and Samaria, east Jerusalem, and Gaza – the idea of an international court will have reached a point of historical, moral, and legal bankruptcy.

Competition with Christmas isn’t a problem. It’s whether this generation has the will to stand up to the idols of popular culture when it comes to Israel and Jewish peoplehood.