Live

Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: West Bank settler rioters target Palestinians

The violence came as Israeli security forces evacuated an illegal settlement.

ByDavid Brennan, Julia Reinstein, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: December 4, 2024, 1:57 PM 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.
11:31 AM EST

Israeli defense minister signals some optimism about hostage deal

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Tel Nof airbase Wednesday, where he signaled some optimism about the hostage deal.

"The pressure on the monstrous organization Hamas is increasing -- there is a chance that this time we will really be able to advance a hostage deal," Katz said.

"We will not stop the war until we return all the kidnapped men and women and until we achieve the goals," he later added.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

11:13 AM EST

Massive evacuation ordered in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza

A massive evacuation is underway Wednesday in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, with a Palestinian Civil Defense official telling ABC News more than 10,000 people were forced to leave in the last 24 hours.

About 225,000 people lived in Beit Lahia before the war, and less than 40,000 remain there now, the official said.

The area is facing relentless bombing and an unknown number of people are believed to be dead or injured.

-ABC News' Will Gretsky

5:41 AM EST

Israeli West Bank settlers riot, attack Palestinians and security forces

The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday said security forces personnel faced "violent" scenes while evacuating an illegal Israeli settler outpost in the Palestinian West Bank town of Huwara, close to the city of Nablus.

A Palestinian woman inspects her damaged house following a reported attack by Israeli settlers in Huwara, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, on Dec. 4, 2024.
Zain Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images

Dozens of settlers rioted, setting fire to Palestinian buildings, vehicles and attacking Palestinian residents after Israeli security forces moved in to conduct the evacuation.

The IDF said several Israelis were arrested.

"The IDF views with great seriousness any violence against its servants and the security forces, who commit nights and days to the security of the citizens of the region," its statement read. "These events must be condemned and the violators of the law brought to justice."

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Joe Simonetti

3:32 AM EST

UN chief says Gaza aid 'outrageously' blocked

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a post to X on Tuesday that much-needed humanitarian aid for Gaza is being "outrageously blocked."

Displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Dec. 3, 2024.
Mohammed Salem/Reuters

Guterres said aid agencies are facing "gigantic humanitarian needs" in Gaza, where the Israel Defense Forces continue military operations -- particularly in the north of the devastated territory.

UN officials have repeatedly demanded that Israel do more to facilitate aid flows into Gaza.

"The nightmare is not a crisis of logistics," Guterres said. "It's a crisis of political will and of respect for fundamental principles of international humanitarian law."

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Related Topics