Rami Amichai

A Jewish couple and three of their children were stabbed to death in bed in what Israeli officials said was an attack by one or more Palestinians.

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav was found guilty of rape and other sex crimes on Thursday which could see him jailed for years.

International firefighting teams were on Friday helping Israel battle a huge forest fire near theport of Haifa which has killed at least 42 people.