Amid controversy over the draft law, financial grants have been distributed to draft dodgers recently released from detention, with payments reaching tens of thousands of shekels.

<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Chilean President-elect José Antonio Kast Rist on his election victory.</p><p>"Israel looks forward to working closely with you and Chile to deepen cooperation in security, innovation, water, agriculture and economic growth to strengthen the partnership between our two democracies," Netanyahu stated.</p>

Initial reports: Attempted ramming attack at Elazar JCT in Gush Etzion, no casualties reported

A preliminary investigation found that the police officer exited his squad car and attempted to stop the vehicle, which veered and tried to ram him. The officer fired at the driver, who managed to flee. Police later clarified that the incident was criminal and not nationally motivated.

After gunmen targeted Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah at Sydney's Bondi Beach, 15 families lost loved ones and 27 remain hospitalized - they need immediate support following Australia's deadliest shooting since 1996

Israeli actress and activist Noa Tishby is repeating a series she started last year in which she lights the Hanukkah candles each night of the festival with a celebrity.

<p>The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reports that during a visit by ambassadors of foreign countries and military attachés to southern Lebanon, Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal presented the process of implementing the plan to disarm Hezbollah, using maps and images showing the stages of operations in the area south of the Litani River.</p><p>Addressing questions about obstacles, Haykal claimed that the main one is Israel, which he said continues its strikes and allegedly violates the ceasefire agreement. He presented the areas captured by Israel after the agreement and clarified that the second phase of the plan depends on the results of the first phase and on Israel’s willingness to halt its attacks and withdraw from positions in southern Lebanon.</p>

Students of the Shavei Hebron Yeshiva mark a historic moment Monday evening by lighting the second Hanukkah candle at the Valero House in the Hebron Kasbah, the first ceremony at the site since Jews were expelled after the 1929 massacre.