Israel's top court has ordered the Western Wall's ultra-Orthodox administration to explain why women are banned from leading prayers at the holy site, as sought in a petition. In accordance with strict ultra-Orthodox tradition, there are currently separate prayer sections for women and men...

Hamas security forces broke up a protest in the northern Gaza Strip Thursday, an AFP photographer and witnesses said, as thousands took to the streets over an ongoing electricity crisis. The demonstrators gathered in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza for a march, with attendees...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called this weekend's Middle East peace conference in Paris "rigged" on Thursday, with his government refusing to play any role in the meeting. "It's a rigged conference, rigged by the Palestinians with French auspices to adopt additional anti-Israel...

Iraqi forces drove back Islamic State militants in southeastern Mosul on Thursday, making gains in an area where advances have been particularly tough, the military said in a statement. Rapid response units from Iraq's federal police advanced in the Sumer district, which lies on the eastern...