Overview
- Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will move "soon" to a second phase of its Gaza plan focused on disarming Hamas, according to reports from Jerusalem.
- He indicated he intends to visit the United States within the month.
- Bethlehem held a public lighting of its large Christmas tree for the first time in three years in the square by the Church of the Nativity.
- Japan’s Suguru Osako set a national men’s marathon record of 2:04:55, finishing fourth at the Valencia Marathon in Spain.
- The labor group Zenroren is running a nationwide free telephone consultation for non-regular public-sector employees seeking advice on job issues.