The hope of Israeli President

Christmas festivities are in full swing across the Holy Land, filling streets, churches, and public squares with light, music, and a spirit of shared joy.

Israel increasingly resembles an economy captured by monopolies, where a small circle of powerful interests dominates key sectors and ordinary consumers foot the bill.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas on Wednesday of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement after a military officer was wounded by an explosive device in Rafah and Israel vowed retaliation.