Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: Nasrallah killed for tying Hezbollah cause to Gaza war

A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that the small number of additional American military personnel deployed to the Middle East are on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where they are planning for "non-combatant evacuation operations" in Lebanon.

The planning remains a precautionary measure, the official said. ABC News understands that between 12 and 24 American troops are involved in the preparations, not all of whom are special operations personnel.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said Wednesday she could not confirm the exact number of personnel deployed.

"What I can tell you is that we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment forces that are already in the region," she told reporters.

"I'm just not going to be able to provide you more specifics," she added. "I know it's frustrating, but I'm just not going to be able to confirm more."

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, told reporters on Wednesday that his nation would "prefer a diplomatic solution" to its unfolding conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, but that "if it fails to return our residents to their homes, then we will use all means at our disposal."

"We are entirely focused on achieving our objectives, which in the north is the return of our displaced citizens who have become refugees in their own country," Dannon said.

"Do not mistake a peaceful nation for a defenseless one. We have the means, we have the capabilities to achieve this goal."

Danon again expressed that Israel was "open to ideas" to avoid a full-scale war.

"But you know, we are very honest about it. Our goal is to push Hezbollah from the fence, allow the residents to come back to the communities, and I hope we'll be able to achieve it without using our military capabilities," he said.

Israel is already conducting an extensive airstrike campaign across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, as well as limited airstrikes in the capital Beirut and elsewhere.

Israeli actions have killed more than 650 people -- including at least 50 children -- and wounded more than 1,700 others since Monday, according to Lebanese authorities.

Danon declined to weigh in on whether progress had been made towards a pause, but said negotiators "know exactly what we expect."

-ABC News' Shannon Kingston

Iran "will not remain indifferent in case of a full-scale war in Lebanon," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

Araghchi also warned that Israel's "crimes will not go unpunished," and said the Middle East region "risks full-scale conflict" if the U.N. Security Council does not "act now to halt Israel's war and enforce an immediate ceasefire."

"The path to de-escalation is clear," Araghchi said. "Israel must immediately stop its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. Without a ceasefire in Gaza, there will be no guarantee of peace in the region."

"The Security Council must act now to halt Israel's war and enforce an immediate ceasefire, and by that, to save innocent lives. If not, the region risks full-scale conflict and history will hold Israel's enablers, especially the United States, responsible."

"Iran will not remain indifferent in case of a full-scale war in Lebanon," the diplomat added. "We stand with the people of Lebanon with all means."

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

On Wednesday, at least 81 people were killed and 403 were wounded in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

In total, more than 650 people -- including at least 50 children -- have been killed and over 1,700 others injured since Monday, according to the ministry.