Live Updates December 03, 2025Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeDecember 03, 2025Netanyahu says he wouldn't hesitate to visit New York, despite Mamdani threat to honor int'l arrest warrantNew York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via video during the 2025 New York Times Dealbook Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 03, 2025 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images via AFP/MICHAEL M. New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via video during the 2025 New York Times Dealbook Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 03, 2025 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images via AFP/MICHAEL M. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that he would not hesitate to visit New York, despite a pledge by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to honor the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against the Israeli leader.In a video address to a New York Times conference, Netanyahu also addressed his request for a pardon from President Isaac Herzog, reiterating his claim that the trial being conducted against him is "a joke."Netanyahu refused to elaborate on the conversation he held on the matter with U.S. President Donald Trump, who also sent a letter to Herzog on the subject, but added that "President Trump has spoken again and again about the need to end what he calls 'witch hunt'."According to Netanyahu, "I have a few more things to do, I think history is calling me."The prime minister also clarified that he has no intention of retiring from political life. "When history is within reach, you don't move aside, you march forward, and that is what I am doing," he said.December 03, 2025Trump says Gaza cease-fire 'going well' despite Israeli strike that killed six peopleU.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Gaza cease-fire is "going along well," despite an Israeli airstrike that killed six people.Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said "they had a problem today, I understand, with a bomb that went off. Hurt some people pretty badly, probably killed some people. But we have peace in the Middle East. Phase two is moving along, it's gonna happen pretty soon."See more.IDF confirms strike targeted Hamas commander in response to earlier Rafah clashes with IDF troopsThe IDF confirmed it had struck a Hamas commander in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday night in retaliation to clashes between militants who emerged out of a tunnel in Rafah and IDF troops, one of whom was seriously wounded in the incident, which the IDF said it considers a cease-fire violation. According to Palestinian reports, the IDF assassination attempt killed six people, including children, and followed a series of strikes across the enclave. Reports: Six killed, including two children, in Israeli strikes on Gaza's Khan YunisPalestinian media reported that the Israeli Air Force carried out at least four airstrikes on western Khan Yuni, one of them in the Muwasi area. According to the reports, five people were killed in the strikes, including two children. Tents on fire in the Muwasi area in the Gaza Strip after an IDF strike, on Wednesday night. Local sources said a drone struck a tent that served as a shelter for displaced persons near the Kuwaiti hospital in western Khan Yunis.There were also reports of a direct hit on displaced persons' tents by four missiles. Read the full articleDecember 03, 2025Sting, Paul Simon among 200 cultural figures to sign petition calling on Israel to release jailed Palestinian Marwan Barghouti Demonstrators hold placards bearing portraits of Marwan Barghouti, the most high-profile Palestinian detainee in Israeli custody, asking for his release, during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Paris, last week. Credit: AFP/JULIEN DE ROSADemonstrators hold placards bearing portraits of Marwan Barghouti, the most high-profile Palestinian detainee in Israeli custody, asking for his release, during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Paris, last week. Credit: AFP/JULIEN DE ROSAMore than 200 public figures from a variety of backgrounds have signed an open letter calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian political figure seen by his supporters as a unifying leader, from Israeli prison."We express our grave concern at the continuing imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, his violent mistreatment and denial of legal rights whilst imprisoned," the letter from the "FreeMarwan" campaign reads.Among the prominent officials who signed the letter are actors and filmmakers such as Hannah Einbinder, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry, Mark Ruffalo and Pedro Almodóvar; journalist Peter Beinart; Authors Sally Rooney and Margaret Atwood; Activists Annie Lennox, Bill Ayers and Naomi Klein; Musicians Paul Simon, Brian Eno and Sting; Former soccer players Eric Cantona and Gary Lineker; and business magnate Richard Branson.Read the full articleRECAP: Five Israeli soldiers wounded in clash with militants emerging from tunnel in Gaza's RafahHere are the latest updates from Israel, Gaza and the Middle East:■ Remains from Gaza said to be of a hostage were returned by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas in Gaza, and reached Israel to be identified at the national forensic institute.■ Talks on Wednesday between civil representatives of Israel and Lebanon, led by the U.S. on economic and civil matters, were held in a "positive atmosphere," according to a statement issued by Netanyahu's office.■ Five IDF soldiers were wounded, one seriously, in clashes with militants emerging from a tunnel in Gaza's Rafah. Netanyahu said Israel will not tolerate harm to IDF soldiers and will respond "accordingly."■ A court ordered the anti-government protest activist who was arrested last week over a Facebook post against Netanyahu to be released to house arrest for 14 days, after several extensions of her arrest.■ Far-right MK Tzvi Succot proposed using lethal force against Palestinians who set waste on fire in the West Bank, causing widespread air pollution.■ Israeli authorities said the Rafah border crossing connecting Gaza and Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip is set to open 'in the coming days' for residents' departure only, as part of the cease-fire agreement with Hamas.■ The Knesset approved a declarative proposal set forth by opposition leader MK Yair Lapid to adopt the 20-point plan formulated by U.S. President Donald Trump to end Israel's war in Gaza.■ An 18-year-old resident of southern Israel has been arrested over suspected security-related offenses inspired by the Islamic State, according to police.In the NewsIsrael's Top Court Orders Revote for Netanyahu's Lawyer as State WatchdogIran Warns U.S., Israel Against Attacks Ahead of Khamenei FuneralThe Iran War Has Become Israel's Icarus MomentIsraeli Minister Blames ex-IDF Hostage Chief for Oct. 7 DeathsGoldman Says Support for Israel Cost Him New York Democratic PrimaryRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIAdvanced Israeli Systems Sold to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Documents and Images ShowIsrael 2026 Election Poll Tracker: The Latest ProjectionsA Collapsing Society: Israel Suffers National Mental Crisis Due to the WarFlagGate: How Israel Set Off a Storm by Hosting a Separatist Genocide DenierWhy Israelis Should Stop Being Afraid of Mamdani-backed Brad LanderSettlers Tried to Torch Palestinian Homes. They Messed With the Wrong Village