By MEGAN JANETSKY and JULIA FRANKEL, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas on Tuesday called for more international pressure on Israel before the group moves forward with the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, with a Hamas leader saying it wants Israel to open a key border crossing, cease deadly strikes and allow more aid into the strip devastated by the two-year war.

The demand came as Israel’s government says it is ready to move into the next and more complicated phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire agreement, while calling on Hamas to return the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza as envisioned in the deal.

Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’ political wing, called for the “full implementation of all the terms of the first phase” before moving forward, including an end to what he called the continuing demolition of Palestinian homes in the majority of the territory still controlled by Israel.

Israeli airstrikes and shootings in Gaza have killed at least 376 Palestinians since the ceasefire took hold on Oct. 10, according to Palestinian health officials.

A difficult, second phase

Badran said it was not possible to enter the second phase of the ceasefire unless the steps he demanded were taken — remarks that reflect a hardening of tone from Hamas.

However, the group has little leverage in ceasefire negotiations and could come under heavy pressure from regional powers like Qatar and Turkey to not hit the brakes on the fragile truce.

Israel has also accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire and says its recent strikes in Gaza are in retaliation for attacks against its soldiers, and that its troops have fired on Palestinians who approached the “Yellow Line” — a vague line between Israeli-controlled territory and the rest of Gaza.

It says those killed were suspected fighters who posed a threat to troops, but it appears at least some were civilians who ventured too close to the line, and those killed have included women and children.

The lack of aid

As a humanitarian crisis continues in Gaza, the United Nations and other aid organizations said that not nearly enough aid is entering the territory, parts of which have faced famine.

Under the ceasefire deal, the number of trucks of supplies was supposed to ramp up to at least 600 a day. For the past month, the U.N. has recorded an average of around 120 trucks of aid entering Gaza. The figure does not include commercial trucks, whose precise numbers are not known.

COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of coordinating aid entry, has said 600-800 trucks are entering daily.

But the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA said in its latest weekly report that many of the commercial goods in the market remain unaffordable to many Palestinians, and “dietary diversity remains poor, with essential protein sources still largely unavailable.”

The agency also said the entry of medical supplies has “not increased in any meaningful way” and some hospitals still face severe shortages of essential drugs and supplies.

Israel said on Wednesday it would begin to allow aid destined for Gaza through a crossing on the Jordan-Israel border.

FILE – Hamas militants and Egyptian workers accompanied by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) head to Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City to search for the remains of deceased hostages, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi, File)

A key border crossing

The ceasefire deal also calls for the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt to be opened for traffic in both directions. Israel has said it is prepared to open the crossing for Palestinians to leave the territory, but not yet to enter.

The U.S.-led plan outlining the future for the devastated territory has gained momentum in recent weeks. The two sides and mediators are to enter negotiations soon over the terms of the next phases, which call for Hamas to be disarmed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel and Hamas are “very shortly expected to move into the second phase of the ceasefire,” after Hamas returns the remains of the last hostage. Hamas has said the destruction by Israeli strikes in Gaza has been an obstacle in their search for the remains.

Related Articles

Trump’s ceasefire plan for the Israel-Hamas war faces pitfalls as it moves into a new phase

Turkish student who criticized Israel can resume research at Tufts after visa revoked, judge rules

UN Palestinian aid agency says Israeli police ‘forcibly entered’ its Jerusalem compound

What to know about the Eurovision Song Contest as Israel’s participation sparks walkouts

A single hostage remains in Gaza after identification of Thai worker’s remains

Meanwhile, officials have said that an international body tasked with governing Gaza is expected to be announced by the end of the year.

Israel’s 2-year-long campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,300 Palestinians, roughly half of them women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

The campaign was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, when fighters killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals.

Find more of AP’s Israel-Hamas coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Any hopes of the Vikings making the playoffs are hanging by a thread after they staved off elimination with a blowout win over the Washington Commanders.

Rationally, it’s fairly ridiculous to even talk about the playoffs considering the Vikings are 5-8 and have a less than 1% chance of moving on to the postseason. On most NFL playoff trackers, they don’t even show up “in the hunt” because they’re so far behind in the standings.

Not only would the Vikings need everything to break in their favor this week to not be eliminated, they would then need everything to break in their favor every week over the next month to finish above the cut line.

This could be their last few days in postseason contention.

Getting there would require the Vikings winning out to get to 9-8, then getting a lot of help so that the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions also end up at 9-8. In that scenario, the Vikings would win the tiebreaker earn the final spot against all odds.

“Playoffs?! … Playoffs?!” You can almost hear the epic rant from former Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora when actually going through the chain of events that need to happen for the Vikings to make the playoffs.

Never the less, here’s what must happen:

Week 15

Even before the Vikings take the field, they need the Cleveland Browns to beat the Bears, and the Los Angeles Rams to beat the Lions. It would also help if the New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers.

The most important piece of the puzzle, of course, is the Vikings beating the Dallas Cowboys in primetime Sunday. That would increase their chances of making the playoffs to a whopping 4%.

Week 16

Let’s say everything goes well this weekend and the Vikings manage to stay alive. They would then need the Green Bay Packers to beat the Bears, the Los Angeles Chargers to beat the Cowboys, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to beat the Panthers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Lions.

As long as the Vikings also take care of business by beating the New York Giants, it would increase their chances of making the playoffs to 28%.

Week 17

There will be a lot of believers if the Vikings are somehow still in contention on Christmas Day. They would then need the Washington Commanders to beat the Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks to beat the Panthers, and the San Francisco 49ers to beat the Bears. Then if the Vikings beat the Lions, they would increase their chances of making the playoffs to 48%.

Week 18

The bandwagon will be packed if the Vikings have a chance heading into the regular-season finale. The convoluted list of scenarios would also become rather straightforward if it gets to that point. There will be nothing else that matters other than what happens in the NFC North.

All the Vikings would need to do is beat the Packers, then have the Lions beat the Bears. That would put the finishing touches on a miracle for the Vikings, and most important, would increase their chances of making the playoffs to 100%

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) puts pressure on Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) in the first quarter of NFL football game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Dec, 7, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Related Articles

Mizutani: There will never be anybody quite like Harrison Smith

PFF grades from the Vikings’ win to the Commanders: J.J. McCarthy has a breakthrough

Takeaways from the Vikings’ 31-0 win over the Commanders

Frederick: Finally, a J.J. McCarthy-friendly approach in Minnesota

‘He’s a unicorn’: Andrew Van Ginkel did it again for the Vikings

By BEN FINLEY and STEPHEN GROVES, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is expected to vote this week on a bill authorizing $900 billion for military programs, including boosting pay for service members, cutting Pentagon diversity efforts and requiring footage to be released of forces blowing up alleged drug boats.

The National Defense Authorization Act is traditionally a strong bipartisan bill that lays out the nation’s defense policies. But it’s coming up for a vote as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces mounting scrutiny over the boat strikes off Venezuela’s coast.

Lawmakers’ concerns are apparent in the compromise bill released Sunday by the House Armed Services Committee. While it incorporates many of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, the defense bill demands more accountability over the administration’s campaign against Latin American drug cartels. It also reasserts a U.S. commitment to Europe following intense criticism of allies in Trump’s recently released national security strategy.

The House could vote as early as Wednesday on this year’s NDAA. Here are key things to know about the bill:

Demand for boat strike videos

Lawmakers are demanding the Pentagon hand over unedited video of strikes against drug cartels, threatening to withhold a quarter of Hegseth’s travel budget if it doesn’t.

The congressional committees overseeing the military have been pressing the Pentagon for more answers on a Sept. 2 strike following reports that U.S. forces fired on two survivors clinging to wreckage after their alleged drug-smuggling boat was attacked.

The legislation also requires the Pentagon to provide the orders behind each attack. Legal experts and some Democrats say the Sept. 2 follow-up strike violated the laws of war, despite the Trump administration’s assertions that the U.S. is in an armed conflict with drug cartels.

Aid for Ukraine

The legislation authorizes $400 million for each of the next two years to manufacture weapons to be sent to Ukraine.

The money represents only a small part of Kyiv’s overall needs for its fight against Russia, but it is still a show of support from Congress at a time when Trump’s backing for Ukraine has been in doubt.

The bill also requires the Pentagon to provide intelligence support for Ukraine, which the Trump administration had paused for several weeks earlier this year.

Keeping US troops in Europe, Korea

Congress is trying to reaffirm its commitment to European allies and NATO — a notable stance given the posture of the Trump administration.

One provision in the defense authorization bill requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and major equipment stationed in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and there is a determination that such a withdrawal is in U.S. interests.

Related Articles

About 400 immigrant children were detained longer than the recommended limit, ICE admits

Opponents of Trump-backed redistricting in Missouri submit a petition to force a public vote

Supreme Court questions limits on political party spending in federal elections, hearing GOP appeal

Trump says he’s fixing affordability problems. He’ll test out that message at a rally

A Democrat takes on a Trump-backed candidate for Miami mayor in a key Hispanic battleground

Around 80,000 to 100,000 U.S. troops are usually present on European soil. NATO allies have expressed concern that the Trump administration might drastically cut their numbers and leave a security vacuum as European countries confront an increasingly aggressive Russia.

The Army said in late October that the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division will return to its base in Kentucky as previously planned but that no other U.S. troops would rotate into Europe to replace it.

The Trump administration says it’s been reviewing its military posture in Europe and elsewhere. In a speech Saturday, Hegseth criticized previous U.S. policies that “turned American allies into dependents.”

The defense bill also contains a provision to keep U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, setting the minimum requirement at 28,500.

Lack of IVF coverage

The bill is notable for lacking a provision to expand coverage of in vitro fertilization for active duty personnel. An earlier version covered the medical procedure, known as IVF, which helps people facing infertility to build their families.

Rep. Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat, said Sunday that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson removed her provision in the bill for military health insurance to cover IVF for American troops.

“It’s an unbelievably selfish and callous move against people who’ve served and sacrificed so much for us, especially when he and his own staff have access to health care plans that provide IVF coverage,” Jacobs said in a news release.

Johnson’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment. He praised the NDAA in a statement for delivering on “Trump’s promise of peace through strength,” while noting that it provides a nearly 4% raise for service members.

Iraq war resolution repeal

The legislation also would put an official end to the war in Iraq by repealing the authorization for the 2003 invasion.

Supporters in both the House and Senate say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the U.S. Both chambers voted earlier this year to include an amendment in the 2026 defense bill revoking the 2002 war resolution.

The 2002 resolution has been rarely used in recent years. But the first Trump administration cited it as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani.

Lifting final Syria sanctions

Congress would permanently remove the harshest U.S. sanctions left on Syria after the Trump administration has lifted many penalties.

Congress had imposed economically crippling sanctions on the country in 2019 to punish former leader Bashar Assad for human rights abuses during the nearly 14-year civil war. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seeking to rebuild his nation’s economy after he led a successful insurgency that deposed Assad a year ago.

While the Trump administration had issued temporary waivers on the sanctions known as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, they can only be permanently repealed by a vote in Congress.

Advocates of a permanent repeal have said international companies are unlikely to invest in projects needed for the country’s reconstruction as long as there is a threat of sanctions returning.

Cuts to climate and diversity initiatives

The bill makes $1.6 billion in cuts to climate change-related spending, the House Armed Services Committee said. The panel does not outline what would be eliminated, but the military has previously invested in hybrid electric ships and plans for adapting to a changing climate.

U.S. military assessments have long found that climate change is a threat to national security, with bases being pummeled by hurricanes or routinely flooded.

The bill also would save $40 million by repealing diversity, equity and inclusion offices, programs and trainings, the committee said. For example, the position of chief diversity officer would be cut.

The Trump administration has ordered climate and DEI programs cut across the federal government.

Luke Dehnicke has lost count.

Coming out of Andover High School in the 2024 recruiting class, the then-6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver/cornerback knew the number, and it was “only four,” meaning his total offer list to play college football: Minnesota Duluth, Sioux Falls, Colorado School of Mines and St. Thomas.

Dehnicke picked UMD, grew to 6-5 and built himself up to 240 pounds. He switched to tight end and as a redshirt freshman last fall became a dangerous downfield threat for the Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) champions.

Wanting to fulfill a dream of playing Division I football, he announced he was entering the NCAA transfer portal last week. That’s when a gaggle of interested schools quickly added up.

“I’m not totally sure the exact number I have,” Dehnicke told the Pioneer Press on Monday. “I’ve been talking to the Gophers a great amount, Vanderbilt, Houston a lot, the Badgers. Duke just offered, and Kansas. Those are some cool schools. It’s just been a big jumble.”

That group also includes Northwestern, Arizona and Wake Forest.

“It’s been a crazy past week, just a lot of time on the phone,” said Dehnicke, who is juggling finals week with recruiting calls. “I didn’t really expect all this, but it’s been really cool so far.”

After zero catches in three games as a true freshman in 2024, Dehnicke had 61 receptions for 1,119 yards (18.3 yards per grab) and 14 touchdowns in 12 games last fall.

“Absolutely blew up,” UMD coach Curt Wiese told the Pioneer Press.

The Bulldogs have had two tight ends (and two offensive linemen) achieve undrafted free agent stints in the NFL over the last few years: Sam Pitz of Appleton, Wis., with the Ravens earlier this year, and Zach Ojile with the Vikings in 2023.

“(Dehnicke is) super talented after the catch, maybe the best catch radius of any guy we’ve had here,” Wiese said. “And I’ve been here 18 seasons. He just has a natural ability to get himself open and go get the football. Then he has the athleticism and strength after the catch to gain lot of yards.”

Dehnicke, a projected DII All-American, is more natural as an off-ball tight end (in the slot, split out or on the wing) and must improve his run blocking to make a successful transition to the DI level.

UMD’s recruitment of Dehnicke had fallen off during his senior season at Andover two years ago because Wiese thought Dehnicke was going to be a Gopher.

Dehnicke’s father, Drew, played linebacker at Coon Rapids High School and was part of Gophers head coach Glen Mason’s first recruiting class in 1997. Drew moved to defensive line at Minnesota and didn’t play much, but he enjoyed his four-year experience, which included two bowl trips.

The Gophers showed some recruiting interest in Luke coming out of high school, inviting the family to the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe home game against Wisconsin to close out the 2023 season.

“There was possible talk of (him becoming) a preferred walk-on,” Drew Dehnicke said. “Luke would have definitely gone as a preferred walk-on, but it just didn’t pan out. So, he ended up choosing Duluth.”

Luke grew up a Gophers fan, so “obviously you’re just a little disappointed,” he said. “But at the end of the day, there’s always a place that you’re going to fit in at.”

Luke now calls himself a “late bloomer” who benefitted from the UMD strength-and-conditioning program, the coaching of Wiese and offensive coordinator Chase Vogler and becoming standout quarterback Kyle Walljasper’s top target.

“We wish him the best of luck,” Wiese said. “He handled everything the right way. There’s a couple different ways to go on the transfer portal. As a kid, Luke didn’t want to leave UMD. He knew it was probably in his best interest to do so at this point in his career. And we wish him the best of luck, and so do his teammates.”

Drew said Luke’s timeline to play DI progressed sooner at UMD than originally anticipated. During his breakout season last fall, people would ask about whether Luke was going in the portal “all the time,” Drew said.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Luke decided to take the plunge into the portal, but didn’t know what level of interest there would be. The response from programs in the Power Four conferences was “reassuring for him,” Drew said.

Few small-school players in Minnesota make the jump from DIII or DII up to DI. Two of the best recent examples are Bethel safety Matt Jung of Neenah, Wis., going to Wisconsin last year and Sioux Falls defensive end Zach Durfee of Dawson, Minn., transferring to Washington in 2023.

“We haven’t had a lot of guys try to transfer up, and part of that is the market for the transfer portal is absolutely flooded,” Wiese said. “Unless you’re a guy like Luke, (who) garners a lot of attention before getting into the portal, odds are when you get in, you’re not going anywhere. Time and time again. There’s a lot of cases to prove that.”

Drew Dehnicke, who runs a financial management company in St. Paul, believes this is an ideal example of how the transfer portal should work.

“A kid that’s such a late, late bloomer — he just physically wasn’t ready or wasn’t good enough for that level,’ Drew said. “But this does give players an opportunity, if you continue to grow and mature … In the past, he wouldn’t have had that opportunity without having to sit out a year or two. I think this is where the portal works and not, ‘I’m going to the highest bidder’ — (which is what) it sounds like or seems like what’s going on with it.”

The transfer portal officially opens Jan. 2 and closes Jan. 16, and the Dehnickes plan to visit a few schools in that window before making a commitment. Luke will enroll at his next school by the end of January and have three years of eligibility remaining.

A high school honors student and chemical engineering major at UMD, Dehnicke is looking for a few attributes in his next school.

“Mostly just a close-knit group, a brotherhood within the team and the position group,” Luke said. “Also, a good academic school. Then lastly, just a team that utilizes tight ends and I’ll be able to get on the field and play.”

Related Articles

Gophers football: P.J. Fleck shares why he fired U’s defensive line coach

Gophers football: New Mexico will be a challenge in the Rate Bowl

Gophers likely bowl destination: Rate Bowl in Phoenix

Gophers dismiss defensive line coach Dennis Dottin-Carter

Gophers football: Five players plan to enter transfer portal