Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: Netanyahu claims UN peacekeepers acting as 'human shields' for Hezbollah
U.N. peacekeepers claim IDF tanks breached their base in southern Lebanon.
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
- 51 killed, 174 injured in Lebanon on Saturday: Lebanese Ministry of Health
- Gallant describes southern Lebanon villages as 'military targets'
- Pentagon will deploy THAAD air defense system to Israel
- UN claims IDF tanks forcefully breached its peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon
- Netanyahu claims UN peacekeepers acting as 'human shields' for Hezbollah
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
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."
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
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
Stabbing attack wounds several in Israel
Six people were injured -- two seriously -- in a stabbing attack in the Israeli city of Hadera on Wednesday, Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said.
Police described the incident as a terrorist attack and said one attacker was "neutralized" while trying to flee the scene. The suspect is 36 years old and is an Israeli national, police said.
Hadera is a coastal city located between Haifa and Tel Aviv.
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller and Joe Simonetti