Netanyahu, Trump see 'eye to eye' on Iran

The Israel Defense Forces on Thursday denied reports that its troops are forcing Palestinians out of their homes in north Gaza with the intention of permanently blocking their return.

"The statement attributed to the IDF in the past 24 hours, claiming that residents of northern Gaza will not be allowed to return to their homes, is incorrect and does not reflect the IDF's objectives," it said in a statement to ABC News.

"Contrary to reports, the IDF will continue to allow humanitarian aid into northern Gaza and is also permitting aid to enter the Jabalia area," they added.

The IDF statement was in response to a Wednesday report by The Guardian newspaper -- attributed to an IDF briefing seen in Israel's Kan News -- that IDF Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen told Israeli reporters that since troops had been forced to enter some areas of northern Gaza twice, such as Jabalia camp, "there is no intention of allowing the residents of the northern Gaza Strip to return to their homes."

Cohen is alleged to have added that no humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter northern areas because there are "no more civilians left."

An Israeli admission of intentional permanent displacement of Palestinians and the use of food as a weapon would be highly significant. Palestinian officials and NGOs have accused the IDF of both measures throughout the war in Gaza.

"The IDF is operating in the Jabalia area to target Hamas infrastructure in the region, engaging in intense combat during which many terrorists are being eliminated, and Hamas's military infrastructure, both above and below ground, is being destroyed," the IDF said in its Thursday statement.

-ABC News' Guy Davies

At least 40 people have been killed in a fresh round of Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials.

The Israel Defense Forces has described its airstrikes as "limited and localized," claiming that all targets are linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

Overnight strikes also caused several large explosions in the capital Beirut, including one which erupted close to the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.

Lebanese officials say the death toll from Israel's military operations has surpassed 3,000. Bombardments have been especially intense in Hezbollah-controlled southern and eastern Lebanon, and in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiya, which is also known as a stronghold for the group.

Lebanon's National News agency reported that at least 44,000 homes across the country have been destroyed since mid-September. Several videos have emerged of Israeli forces using explosives to demolish several villages and towns in the south of the country close to the Israeli border.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti

The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday it struck more than 110 "terror targets" in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, as its intense military operations in both areas continue.

The IDF claimed to have killed around 60 Hezbollah fighters in strikes in the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek and north of the Litani River.

The IDF's operation in north Gaza continued, with the force claiming to have killed around 50 militants there over the past day. The focus is on the Jabalia and Beit Lahiya areas.

In Gaza's southern Rafah area, the IDF said its forces killed "a number of armed terrorists and dismantled terrorist infrastructure."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top officials congratulated former President Donald Trump on a "huge victory" in Tuesday's presidential election.

Netanyahu wrote on X: "Congratulations on history's greatest comeback."

"Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America," Netanyahu added.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, newly-appointed Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also all offered their congratulations.