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Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: IDF launches fresh strikes into south Lebanon

Renewed cross-border fire comes despite last week's ceasefire.

ByDavid Brennan, Julia Reinstein, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: December 4, 2024, 3:33 AM EST

The ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group.

The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza, particularly in the north of the devastated Palestinian territory.

Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Dec 03, 2024, 4:41 AM EST

Trump's Israel ambassador pick demands 'severe' response to hostage death

Mike Huckabee, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be the next American ambassador to Israel, said the U.S. must "exact severe consequences" after the Israel Defense Forces announced the death of missing American-Israeli soldier Omer Neutra.

Neutra, 21, was killed during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel and his body was taken back into Gaza, the IDF said Monday. He was previously thought to have been abducted alive.

Huckabee wrote on X, "There must be serious consequences for holding any hostage but America needs to exact severe consequences for kidnapping and murdering AMERICAN hostages."

People attend a protest march in support of the hostages kidnapped during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, in Jerusalem on Nov. 27, 2024.
Ammar Awad/Reuters

Trump said on Truth Social on Monday that there would be "ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East" if remaining hostages are not released from Gaza by the time he takes office on Jan. 20.

There are believed to be three surviving Americans still being held hostage in Gaza.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Dec 03, 2024, 2:47 AM EST

9 killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, health ministry says

Lebanon's Health Ministry said that Israeli airstrikes in the south of the country killed nine people on Monday, as last week's fragile ceasefire continues despite renewed cross-border fire.

This picture taken from northern Israel along the border with southern Lebanon shows smoke billowing above the Lebanese village of Khiam during an Israeli bombardment, on Dec. 2, 2024.
Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images

The ministry said in posts to X that an Israeli attack on the town of Haris killed five people and injured two. A strike on the town of Talousa killed four and injured one, the ministry said.

The Israel Defense Forces said Monday it was striking targets in southern Lebanon and accused Hezbollah of "severe violation of the ceasefire."

Dec 02, 2024, 2:21 PM EST

IDF says it's hitting targets in Lebanon

The IDF said it is striking targets in southern Lebanon on Monday after Hezbollah officials said earlier they fired on an Israeli target.

“We will respond decisively to Hezbollah’s severe violation of the ceasefire —and will continue to do so. We have plans and targets ready to be carried out and at any given moment," the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, said Monday.

In this picture taken from Marjayoun, thick smoke rises from explosions as Israeli forces reportedly demolish dwellings in the border town of Khiam in southern Lebanon, Dec. 1, 2024.
-/AFP via Getty Images
Dec 02, 2024, 12:35 PM EST

Hezbollah says it fired on Israeli target in southern Lebanon

PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a memorial ceremony for Israelis killed on the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 last year, at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, Oct. 27, 2024.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a memorial ceremony for Israelis killed on the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 last year that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza, at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, Oct. 27, 2024.
Gil Cohen-Magen/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Hezbollah officials said Monday they fired on an Israeli target in southern Lebanon, accusing Israel of “repeated violations” of the ceasefire agreement.

The Israel Defense Forces said Hezbollah launched two projectiles toward the area of Har Dov. There were no injuries, with the projectiles falling in open space, the IDF said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened a forceful response, calling it a "serious violation of the ceasefire."

"We are determined to continue enforcing the ceasefire, and to respond to any violation by Hezbollah -- minor or serious," Netanyahu said.

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