IDF claims it captured terror operative in Syria

In a video released by Iranian state media on Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened Israel and the United States with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies.

“The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation and to the resistance front,” Khamenei said in the video.

The supreme leader did not elaborate on the timing of the threatened attack, nor the scope.

Israel’s military forces have achieved most of its goals within the area of operations for its ground forces that stretch two miles into southern Lebanon from Israel’s border, according to a source with direct knowledge.

The source said that Israeli forces have destroyed most of Hezbollah’s assets in that two-mile field of operations that stretches along the border region into Lebanon.

It is estimated that more than 50% of the Iranian-backed group’s advanced weaponry has been destroyed by Israeli forces, according to the source.

U.S. efforts to mediate a cease-fire have so far not been successful but the source expressed confidence that a deal might be possible in the next few weeks.

Israel’s military can still achieve its goals in the area of limited operations in southern Lebanon and said that doing so would not get in the way of establishing a cease-fire with Hezbollah, the source told ABC News.

Israeli leaders have said they undertook the ground incursion and airstrikes against Hezbollah as a means of allowing the safe return of tens of thousands of Israeli residents to their homes in northern Israel.

Those residents left their homes as Hezbollah began launching rockets into northern Israel regularly in the wake of Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel.
Israel has described its ground incursion into southern Lebanon as a “limited operation” that has also included airstrikes deep into Lebanon including airstrikes in the capital city of Beirut.

A regional security official said Friday that additional airstrikes have killed 25 of Hezbollah’s top 30 leaders and commanders.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

The World Health Organization and the leaders of 15 United Nations and humanitarian organizations "urge, yet again, all parties fighting in Gaza to protect civilians, and call on the State of Israel to cease its assault on Gaza and on the humanitarians trying to help," in a joint statement Friday.

The WHO called the situation in North Gaza, "apocalyptic," warning, "The entire Palestinian population in North Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence."

"Hospitals have been almost entirely cut off from supplies and have come under attack, killing patients, destroying vital equipment, and disrupting life-saving services. Health workers and patients have been taken into custody. Fighting has also reportedly taken place inside hospitals," the groups said.

"Dozens of schools serving as shelters have been bombed or forcibly evacuated. Tents sheltering displaced families have been shelled, and people have been burned alive. Rescue teams have been deliberately attacked and thwarted in their attempts to pull people buried under the rubble of their homes," the groups said.

Hamas does not support the cease-fire agreement proposed by Egypt -- a temporary cease-fire agreement that included a prisoner-hostage exchange and an increase in aid -- a Hamas political official said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

The Hamas official said the agreement doesn't include a permanent stop in fighting, a withdrawal of the Israeli occupation from the Gaza Strip nor does it allow for the return of the displaced.

The proposals do not address civilians' need for security, relief, reconstruction or opening the crossings, especially the Rafah crossing, the official said.

Any offer or agreement must stop the Zionist aggression permanently and not temporarily. The occupation is trying to exploit the assassination of resistance leaders to show that the resistance has been broken and the truth is that the resistance is increasing its strength, the official said.