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Middle East live updates: Gaza death toll rises to 46,000, officials say

70 Gazans were killed in the last 24 hours of Israel strikes, officials said.

Last Updated: January 9, 2025, 8:42 AM EST

Rebel forces in Syria are building a transitional government after toppling the regime of President Bashar Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country.

The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza, particularly in the north of the strip around several Palestinian hospitals. A latest round of peace talks to end the 15-month-old war is set to resume in Qatar.

Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group.

Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.

6:28 AM EST

Gaza death toll passes 46,000

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza announced that 46,006 people have been killed in Gaza since the war with Israel began on Oct. 7, 2023.

Palestinians carry the body of a relative killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, on Jan. 8, 2025.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

The number of injured rose to 109,378, officials said Thursday morning.

At least 70 people were killed in the past 24 hours, the ministry said, and 104 more were injured by Israeli strikes across the Palestinian territory.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti

4:36 AM EST

US bombs Houthi weapon sites in Yemen

U.S. Central Command conducted "multiple precision strikes" against two Houthi underground storage facilities in Yemen on Wednesday, the command said in a statement.

Israeli and U.S. flags burn as protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to show support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Jan. 3, 2025.
Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

"The Houthis used these facilities to conduct attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden," CENTCOM said. "There were no injuries or damage to U.S. personnel or equipment."

U.S. and British forces -- backed by a range of allies -- have been bombing the Iran-aligned Houthi organization in Yemen since January.

The strikes are a response to Houthi attacks on commercial and military shipping in the Red Sea and elsewhere, launched in protest of Israel's war in Gaza. The Houthis have also launched direct attacks on Israel and vowed to continue to do so while the war in Gaza continues.

Israel has launched several waves of strikes on Yemen in response. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that Israel would continue to act against the Houthis "with force, determination and sophistication."

3:35 AM EST

American hostage families to attend Trump inauguration

Families of American hostages who are still believed to be held in Gaza will attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration later this month, a release from the families said Wednesday.

An electronic billboard image of President-elect Donald Trump is pictured in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 8, 2025.
Oded Balilty/AP

"During the trip, the families plan to meet with officials from the incoming Trump administration, along with members of Congress and their staff," the release said.

"The families are urging leaders to prioritize the safe return of their loved ones and to take decisive action to bring an end to their prolonged captivity," it added.

There are seven American hostages still believed to be held captive inside Gaza, according to the families.

Trump said this week that "all hell will break out in the Middle East" if the remaining Gaza hostages are not released before his inauguration on Jan. 20.

-ABC News' Nadine Shubailat and Ellie Kaufman

Jan 08, 2025, 12:28 PM EST

Israel recovers body of hostage found in Gaza tunnel

The Israeli Defense Forces and the Shin Bet "located and returned the kidnapped body" of hostage Yosef Al-Zaydani on Tuesday "from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area," the army said in a release Wednesday. Israel said it has also recovered another body and are working to determine whether it is Al-Zaydani's son, Hamza.

The Israel Defense Forces said they have identified the body of one hostage, Yosef Al-Zaydani, and are examining the identify of the second body.

PHOTO: This undated photo shows Yosef Al Zayadni, 53. Israel said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of an additional hostage from Gaza. The military said the body of Yosef Al Zaydani was recovered in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza.
This undated photo shows Yosef Al Zayadni, 53. Israel's military said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of an additional hostage from Gaza. The military said the body of Yosef Al Zaydani was recovered in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza.
Hostages Families Forum Headquarters via AP

The IDF believes the second body is likely Hamza Al-Zaydani, but they are not certain yet, so at this time the IDF is saying they've identified one body and are examining the findings of a second body.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his "deep sorrow for the bitter news that the Al-Zaydani received today," in a statement Wednesday.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Ellie Kaufman

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