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Israel-Gaza live updates: Israel strikes Hezbollah, as group fires scores of rockets

Hezbollah claimed on Sunday to have launched hundreds of drones and rockets.

Last Updated: August 24, 2024, 10:42 PM EDT

As the Israel-Hamas war continues, cease-fire discussions are occurring in the Middle East, with officials hoping to bring an end to the conflict.

The United States and its allies continue to plead for a cease-fire deal, with discussions set for this week.

10:42 PM EDT

Tel Aviv airport closes

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport has temporarily closed Sunday morning, officials said.

"Due to the security situation, the departures this morning from Tel Aviv will be delayed, and will not take off in the next few hours. Flights en route to Israel will be directed to land at alternative airports in the region," Israel Airports Authority said in a statement.

ABC News’ Dana Savir

10:17 PM EDT

Israel launches preemptive strike on Hezbollah: IDF

Israel launched a preemptive strike on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video on X.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory," Hagari said.

"In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians," Hagari continued.

5:34 PM EDT

Hamas won't take part in cease-fire talks Sunday: Source

Hamas will not take part in the cease-fire talks scheduled for Sunday, an Egyptian official told ABC News.

U.S., Israeli and Qatari delegations will take part, the source said.

A Hamas delegation traveled to Cairo on Saturday to hear the details of the latest proposal from the mediators, but they will not participate in the talks themselves, Sunday, according to the source.

-ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy and Victoria Beaulé

3:38 PM EDT

Oil tanker on fire in the Red Sea after Houthis attack

The Houthis released videos on Saturday showing an explosion on a Sounion oil taker and a massive fire on the ship which was reportedly attacked while moving across the Red Sea early Wednesday, according to the Hellenic Maritime and UK Maritime Trade Operations, UKMTO.

According to authorities, the vessel was first damaged following a gunfire attack from two small boats and a small missile attack early on Wednesday, approximately 72 nautical miles from Hodeida, Yemen, while it was sailing from Iraq to Agioi Theodoroi, Greece.

After the attack, the crew safely evacuated the vessel and left it anchored off the Yemeni coast. UKMTO reported multiple fires on the oil tanker on Friday, as engine damage left the boat adrift.