Former US president Jimmy Carter defied American and Israeli warnings and met the exiled leader of Hamas and the militant group’s deputy chief.

Former US President Jimmy Carter defied American and Israeli warnings today and met the exiled leader of Hamas and the militant group's deputy chief.

A Palestinian rocket exploded in an Israeli army base early today, wounding 50 soldiers and drawing Israeli calls for a major military operation against rocket squads in the Gaza Strip.

The figure responsible for Israel’s latest religious row is a bespectacled British teenager who is gifted with magical powers, world famous and entirely fictional.

Hamas militants today released a recorded message from captured Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit, the first sign of life from the young serviceman since he was abducted exactly one year ago.

The Israeli military will hold off a wider ground offensive in south Lebanon by three days to allow for the UN Security Council to continue its debate for a ceasefire resolution.

THE Israeli parliament gave final approval last night to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements.

ISRAEL did not immediately retaliate yesterday for the suicide bus bombing that killed 14 passengers and the two attackers.

Israel did not immediately retaliate today for the suicide bus bombing that killed 14 passengers and the two attackers.

Israeli Cabinet ministers are joining Jewish settlers in urging their leaders to rethink their agreement to a US-sponsored truce with the Palestinians, following a string of Palestinian gun and mortar attacks.