Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that "intense" fighting against Hamas militants in the southern Gaza city of Rafah is nearly over, more than eight months into the devastating war. Israeli officials have described Rafah as the last Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip, and in early May troops entered the southern city, on the besieged territory's border with Egypt, despite global alarm over the fate of Palestinian civilians sheltering there. The military seized the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, a key conduit for desperately needed aid into Gaza that has remained shut since then.

IS NETANYAHU FINALLY HEEDING THE CALL TO HALT ATTACKS?

Abortion bans in various states across the country are severing women from crucial reproductive care and precipitating a "healthcare crisis," stated Vice President Kamala Harris. Frequently pointing to former President Donald Trump as responsible for the proliferation of abortion bans across the country, Harris alerted voters about Trump's stated intention to support a federal abortion ban if re-elected. Meanwhile, June 24 marks two years to the day since the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, which codified a woman's right to abortion.

SEE HOW HARRIS IS KEEPING ABORTION ISSUE AT FOREFRONT

Saudi Arabia said Sunday that more than 1,300 faithful died during the hajj pilgrimage which took place during intense heat, and that most of the deceased did not have official permits. Based on official statements and reports from diplomats involved in their countries' responses, the official death toll was more than 1,100, excluding unregistered pilgrims. The dead came from more than 10 countries stretching from the US to Indonesia, as some governments are continuing to update their totals.

HOW OFFICIALS HOPE TO RELIEVE HEAT ISSUES IN FUTURE

Entering tonight's Game 7 of the NHL Finals, the Edmonton Oilers are trying to become the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup since?

Friday's answer: Donald Sutherland played Hawkeye Pierce in the movie "M*A*S*H", shared by Alan Alda in the TV version. The only actor to play the same role in both was Gary Burghoff as Radar O'Reilly.