The IDF said it detained a Syrian citizen it alleged was working for Iran.
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.
The Israel Defense Forces said it killed Izz al-Din Kassab, a member of Hamas' political bureau and head of national relations within the organization, in a strike in the area of Khan Yunis.
"Kassab was one of the last high-ranking members of Hamas' political bureau alive in the Gaza Strip. Alongside him, his assistant, the militant Ayman Ayesh, was also eliminated," the IDF said in a statement Friday.
The third phase of the polio vaccination campaign is set to begin in part of the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday. It had been postponed from Oct. 23 due to lack of humanitarian pauses and intense bombardment of the strip.
"These conditions made it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination and for vaccination teams to perform their duties. The humanitarian pause necessary to conduct the campaign has been assured, however, the area of the pause has been substantially reduced compared to the first round of vaccination in northern Gaza, conducted in September 2024," UNICEF and the World Health Organization said in a statement.
But, WHO and UNICEF warned that it will be difficult to interrupt poliovirus transmission because "at least 90% of all children in every community and neighborhood must be vaccinated, which will be challenging to achieve given the situation."
"The campaign in northern Gaza follows the successful implementation of the first two phases of the second round in central and southern Gaza, which reached 451,216 children -- 96% of the target in these areas. A total of 364,306 children aged between 2 and 10 years old have received vitamin A so far in this round," the WHO and UNICEF said.
-ABC News' Nadine Shubailat
The Israel Defense Forces released an evacuation warning for areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, early Friday morning local time.
The areas under the evacuation order include Haret Hreik and the pond enclosure, according to the IDF.
Israeli Forces said the areas are suspected of being "near Hezbollah facilities and interests" and that the IDF plans to "operate against them" in the near future.
"For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate these buildings and those adjacent to them immediately and stay away from them for a distance of no less than 500 meters," the IDF said.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on Thursday to discuss opportunities for regional de-escalation, according to a statement from the Pentagon.
In the call, Austin reaffirmed that the United States remains fully prepared to defend U.S. personnel, Israel and partners across the region against threats from Iran and Iran-backed proxy groups, the Pentagon confirmed.
Austin reiterated the commitment to a diplomatic arrangement in Lebanon that allows both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border, according to the statement.
He also reviewed steps Israel is taking — and should continue to advance — to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, as well as prospects for a hostage release and cease-fire deal, the statement said.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
