Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: Lebanese citizen 'kidnapped' by Israeli operatives

The Israel Defense Forces said it launched a "counter-terrorism" operation in the West Bank alongside Israel Border Police and the Israel Security Agency.

The operation focused on the area of Nur Shams, east of the city of Tulkarm, which has been a focus of intense and deadly Israeli security forces raids in recent months.

During the operation, the Israeli air force "struck an armed terrorist cell that fired at the forces," the IDF said.

The IDF said the operation was launched hours after counter-terror and intelligence personnel killed Hussam Mallah, who the force described as a "significant" member of Hamas' network in the area, "who was involved in the planning of terrorist attacks within an immediate time frame."

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Israel will deploy forces along its eastern border with Jordan to "protect the eastern border" -- a border that was quiet for decades -- the Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday.

Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi approved the establishment of a regional division after they "examined the operational needs and defense capabilities in the region," the IDF said in a statement.

"The division's mission is to strengthen defense in the border area, Highway 90 and the settlements, and to respond to dealing with terrorist incidents and the smuggling of weapons, while maintaining a peaceful border and strengthening cooperation with the Jordanian army," the IDF said in a statement.

The United Nations has documented over 30 incidents of attacks on U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon, some of which were deliberate.

"Since the 1st of October, UNIFIL has recorded over 30 incidents resulting in damage to U.N. property or premises or injury to peacekeepers. About 20 of those we could attribute to IDF fire or actions, with seven being clearly deliberate," a spokesperson for UNIFIL said.

"In an incident yesterday, a rocket, likely fired by Hezbollah or affiliated group hit UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura and setting a vehicle workshop on fire with some peacekeepers suffering a minor injuries," a spokesperson for UNIFIL said.

UNIFIL also said there are thousands of people stuck in villages without having access to the most basic needs.

Baalbek's 80,000 residents were given just under four hours to leave the city before Israeli strikes on the region began.

Residents received a message in Arabic telling them to evacuate their homes and move outside the city and villages "immediately."

The Israel Defense Forces said it struck a fuel depot in Baalbek "located inside military compounds" belonging to Hezbollah.

"These fuel depots supplied fuel for Hezbollah’s military vehicles and were critical to the operation of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. The fuel at these sites was supplied by Iran as part of its military support for Hezbollah," the IDF said in a statement.