A government probe in last summer's war in Lebanon accused the country's wartime leaders of "very severe failures" in their handling of the conflict, dealing a harsh blow that was sure to fuel new calls for embattled Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign.

Israel’s Cabinet approved the UN ceasefire deal after a stormy debate today, clearing a key hurdle to ending the month-long war in Lebanon, the government said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is exploring the possibility of bringing the opposition Labour Party into his government as he tries to push forward with his plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip, officials said today.

Israeli opposition leaders demanded today that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon step down, following media reports that the state attorney is recommending he be indicted for bribe-taking.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU was approved as Israel's foreign minister yesterday, bringing him into the Cabinet of the man he seeks to succeed as prime minister, Ariel Sharon.