Prime minister expected to travel to D.C. early in February when negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza deal, begin; officials say Trump to use potential of normalization with Saudis and other Muslim nations to push PM not to resume war 

John Ratcliffe appointed under the new Trump administration, says renewed look at reports indicates likelihood of virus leaking from Wuhan lab, contradicting predecessor's position 

A night bus driver in the East Asian country apparently fell asleep and the bus overturned into a ditch on the side of the road; 13 young Israelis were injured, 5 of them in moderate to serious condition

With 22 civilian casualties, southern Lebanon saw heightened tensions as residents returned to border villages despite warnings; Lebanese army struggles to enforce order, while Israeli forces maintained positions, citing operational needs and cease-fire agreement directives

Iranian hacker group Handala claimed responsibility for breaching emergency button systems in educational institutions across Israel, using them to broadcast rocket sirens and terror-supporting songs; in addition, tens of thousands of fear-inducing text messages were sent to citizens, allegedly as part of the same coordinated attack

Judicial Selection Committee voted to appoint Justice Yizhak Amit as Supreme Court president, ending a 15-month standoff; but Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who tried to prevent the move citing journalist investigations including in Yediot Acharonot, boycotted the hearing; Levin does not intend to recognize Amit's presidency, which will hinder the judicial system

After 477 days in hell, they are finally here; Watch footage of Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa upon returning to Israel