IDF bombs Beirut for 6th consecutive day
Israeli warplanes targeted what the IDF said were Hezbollah targets.
The Israel Defense Forces continued its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza -- particularly in the north of the strip -- and in Lebanon, with Israeli attacks on targets nationwide including in the capital Beirut. The strikes form the backdrop for a fresh diplomatic push by the White House ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's return to the Oval Office in January.
Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after the former launched what it called "precise strikes on military targets" in several locations in Iran following Tehran's Oct. 1 missile barrage.
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Hostage families meet with Biden, hope for 'new thoughts on the table' with Trump
The families of American hostages being held by Hamas met with President Joe Biden for roughly an hour and a half Wednesday afternoon, according to the White House.
They discussed where the situation now stands and noted that the topic was also, apparently, on the agenda for Biden and President-elect Donald Trump’s sit-down in the Oval Office.
"Both incoming and outgoing presidents are fully aligned on the importance of releasing the hostages and the urgency," one of the family members said outside the West Wing.
They’re calling on the incoming Trump administration to use these next two months to "take action immediately" with the current national security team to try and secure a hostage release before Inauguration Day.
Earlier today, family members met with the senior staff of Sen. Marco Rubio, who Trump has tapped to be his secretary of state. They said they are hopeful to sit down with the senator later this week. Requests have also been made to meet with all of Trump’s national security picks.
They said they’re hopeful that a new administration will put "new thoughts on the table" since there has been a stalemate for months in trying to secure a deal.
They said they also believe that Trump’s relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will help get a deal in place "as soon as possible."
This group of family members also met separately with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday.
-ABC News' Justin Gomez
6 Israeli soldiers killed in combat in southern Lebanon, IDF says
Six Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed during combat in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Capt. Itay Marcovich, Staff Sgt. Sraya Elbom, Staff Sgt. Dror Hen, Sgt. Shalev Itzhak Sagron and Staff Sgt. Nir Gofer were killed in combat. The sixth soldier killed in combat was not named.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller
Israeli strike leaves 7 dead in Gaza, IDF issues warnings to suburbs in Beirut
An Israeli strike in Khan Younis left seven people dead Wednesday, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
At least 47 people were killed and 182 people were injured in Gaza in the last day, the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health said.
In Lebanon, Israeli forces also issued two separate evacuation warnings to residents in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
-ABC News' Sami Zyara and Diaa Ostaz
Sirens sound in Israel following projectile launches from Lebanon
Sirens sounded in central Israel on Wednesday due to projectile launches from Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
-ABC News' Jordana Miller