Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: Netanyahu calls UN troops Hezbollah 'human shields'

U.N. peacekeepers claim IDF tanks breached their base in southern Lebanon.

ByLeah Sarnoff, David Brennan, Meredith Deliso, and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: October 13, 2024, 5:51 PM EDT

The Israel Defense Forces continued intense air and ground campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon and against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The uptick in offensive operations came days after Israel marked the anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 assault and as Israeli leaders planned their response to last week's Iranian ballistic missile attack.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 09, 2024, 5:40 PM EDT

IDF issues evacuation order in Dahieh area of Beirut

The Israel Defense Forces issued another evacuation order in an area of Dahieh in Beirut, Lebanon, right after midnight Thursday local time.

"You are located near Hezbollah facilities and interests, against which the IDF will operate in the near future," the order read.

"For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate this building and the surrounding buildings immediately and stay away from them for a distance of no less than 500 meters," the IDF added.

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Oct 09, 2024, 11:59 AM EDT

Trump, Netanyahu spoke last week, Netanyahu's office confirms

Former President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone "about a week ago," the Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed to ABC News.

Trump called Netanyahu "on his own initiative," Netanyahu's office said.

Trump "congratulated" Netanyahu on "the determined and powerful actions that Israel carried out against Hezbollah," the prime minister's office said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also participated in the call, Netanyahu's office said.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Oct 09, 2024, 11:43 AM EDT

Delegations from Hamas, Fatah meet in Cairo to discuss post-war Gaza plan

Delegations from Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah met in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss reconciliation and the administration of post-war Gaza, according to a source and Egyptian state media reports.

Egyptian state-affiliated Al-Qahera News quoted sources as saying the factions are working on a "mechanism to form a committee responsible for managing Gaza's crossings and overseeing key issues related to health services, relief aid, shelter, social development, and education."

Journalists film while standing before destroyed buildings in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in the northern Gaza Strip on Oct. 9, 2024, amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas.
Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas's delegation is led by Khalil Al-Hayya, while Fatah's delegation is headed by deputy leader Mahmoud al-Aloul.

"The meeting will focus on establishing a technocratic government to administer post-war Gaza, the day-after plan, and supporting the unity of authority in Gaza and the West Bank," a source told ABC News. It will also address the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, the source added.

The discussions are expected to last for two days, the source said.

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy

Oct 09, 2024, 7:55 AM EDT

Biden to speak with Netanyahu Wednesday, source says

President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to speak Wednesday, a source familiar with the plans told ABC News.

The conversation will be the first publicly announced talks between the leaders in months.

Biden has told reporters for weeks that he would speak to the Israeli leader as escalation in the region intensified. The planned call was first reported by Axios.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

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