The Israel Defense Forces conducted what it called "precise strikes on military targets" in Iran on Friday in response to the Iranian missile strikes earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes and ground fighting continued in Gaza -- particularly in the north of the strip -- and in Lebanon, with renewed Israeli attacks on Beirut.
8 killed, 25 hurt in Israeli airstrike on central Lebanon: Lebanese health ministry
At least eight people were killed and 25 others were injured on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on a town near Beirut, Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The airstrike targeted Sidon, a town halfway between the southern border and Beirut, according to the health ministry.
Video of the aftermath obtained by Reuters showed heavy black smoke rising over Sidon.
The Lebanese National News Agency also reported numerous Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday as well as heavy "violent clashes" in towns near the southern border.
-ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz
Oct 27, 2024, 7:14 AM EDT
Israeli strikes kill 36 Palestinians, medics uncontactable in north Gaza
Israel Defense Forces strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 36 Palestinians since dawn Sunday, 34 of whom were from the north of the territory, medical sources told ABC News.
Around 80 people were wounded in Sunday's strikes, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported.
Smoke rises over Beit Lahia, adjacent to Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on Oct. 26, 2024 amid continued Israeli military activity there.
-/AFP via Getty Images
The Health Ministry also said in a statement that it had no information on the fate of around 30 medical personnel at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, which has been under intense Israeli attack for several weeks.
The ministry said Israel is responsible for their lives. The Kamal Adwan Hospital is now functioning with only three doctors taking care of around 300 patients, the ministry said.
Doctors Without Borders issued a statement on Saturday expressing concern as to the safety of one of its surgeons -- Dr. Mohammed Obeid -- working at Kamal Adwan Hospital. The nongovernmental organization, which goes by MSF, an abbreviation of its French name, said it lost contact with Obeid on Oct. 25.
"The hospital and its surroundings have been subjected to intense military operations by Israeli forces and recent media reports indicate several medical staff detained on the morning of 26 Oct.," MSF said in a statement.
-ABC News' Samy Zyara and Somayeh Malekian
Oct 27, 2024, 6:49 AM EDT
Israel strikes 'severely damaged' Iran's defense capacity, Netanyahu says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel's Friday night attack on Iranian military targets "was precise and powerful and achieved all its goals."
"We hit the head of the octopus," Netanyahu said. "To the people of Iran, I say -- our struggle is against a tyrannical regime that threatens the entire region. Whoever hurts us, we hurt him."
This screen grab taken from a handout video released by the Israeli government press office shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the command center of the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Oct. 24, 2024.
-/Israeli Army/AFP via Getty Images
Israel struck military sites in several areas of Iran during its attack. The operation was a response to Iran's Oct. 1 ballistic missile barrage fired at Israel.
"Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of ballistic missiles," Netanyahu said Sunday. "The attack failed and we promised to respond firmly."
"We kept our promises and severely damaged Iran's defense capacity and its ability to produce missiles that work against us," Netanyahu said.
"I thank the USA for the close coordination and assistance," he added. "Great challenges are still ahead of us."
-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Somayeh Malekian
Oct 27, 2024, 6:07 AM EDT
Israel 'exaggerating' impact of attack on Iran, Khamenei claims
In a speech on Sunday morning, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei commented for the first time on Israel's attack on several areas of Iran.
"They are exaggerating," Khamenei said of the outcome of the long-awaited strikes, which were a retaliation for Tehran's Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel. "Exaggerating them is wrong, but you should note that downplaying them is also wrong," Khamenei said.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, on Oct. 27, 2024.
Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/via Reuters
The Iranian leader said Israel miscalculated in its showdown with Tehran.
"They don't know Iran, they don't know Iran's youth, they don't know the Iranian nation and they still haven't been able to properly understand the strength, ability, initiative and will of the Iranian nation," he said.
"We should make them understand all these," Khamenei added.
