Paraic O'Brien , Foreign Affairs Correspondent

Donald Trump’s foreign policy appointments so far indicate his administration will take a much softer line on illegal Israeli settlements on the West Bank and some may even support Israel’s plans – announced by its finance minister this week – to annex the territory completely.

European leaders have had their first chance to discuss the impact of another Trump presidency at a political summit in Budapest. 

It is the United States that provides the bulk of funds for UNRWA, the UN agency that has provided essential support for Palestinian refugees for almost 80 years.

Israel’s parliament has voted overwhelmingly to pass a law that will severely hamper the UN’s ability to provide Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with food, water, healthcare and education.

Officials in Gaza say at least 45 Palestinians have been killed in a series of Israeli attacks – many of them in the Jabalia refugee camp in the north, which was hit by an airstrike. Israel said it had targeted militants. 

The conflict across the Middle East escalated further overnight when Israeli jets launched dozens of air strikes against several locations in Iran.

In the northern Israeli city of Haifa – seven Israeli citizens have gone on trial, accused of spying for Iran. They’re being charged with a range of security offences – including aiding an enemy during wartime.

We speak to a hostage freed from Gaza after she met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Her husband is yet to be freed.

After weeks of Israel’s offensive on Northern Gaza there’s been an intensification of the assault on the Jabalia refugee camp and the surrounding areas in the north of the strip, rooting out Hamas fighters, Israeli Defence Forces say.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told Israel’s prime minister to seize the opportunity to agree a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, saying the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could create an opening for peace.

Strikes in Northern Gaza were watched by a group of hardline Israeli settlers, gathered for a two-day event where they drew up plans for their future homes in the Gaza strip.

Strikes in Northern Gaza were watched by a group of hardline Israeli settlers, gathered for a two-day event where they drew up plans for their future homes in the Gaza strip.

Our foreign affairs correspondent is in southern Israel near the Gaza border.

Reports from Gaza claim at least 33 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes – and claim the Israeli military has tightened its siege around a refugee camp in the north.

Hopes that the death of Yahya Sinwar would be a turning point for the war in Gaza have already faded.