Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar ordered the closure of Israel's embassy in Ireland on Sunday, over the European nation's recognition of a Palestinian state and criticism of the Middle Eastern country.

(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir ...

Amid mounting international criticism of its military conduct in Gaza, Israel says it will deepen ties with countries it considers friendly toward it.