Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared on Friday that while Israel is not seeking conflict with Hezbollah, it is fully prepared for one. His statement came after three Hezbollah drones and 25 rockets were launched from Lebanon, igniting fires in Israel's Galilee region. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded with artillery fire targeting the launch sites in Lebanon. The IDF reported that three anti-tank missiles from Lebanon hit the northern Israeli communities of Misgav Am and Tel-Hai, prompting further artillery retaliation. Additionally, the IDF struck Hezbollah positions in Jabal Safi, southern Lebanon, after surface-to-air missiles were launched at an Israeli aircraft.
Axios reported that the U.S. introduced new language for a proposed cease-fire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, coordinated with Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh discussed the negotiations with Egyptian intelligence.
In Gaza, the IDF announced the deaths of dozens of terrorists in close-range combat and airstrikes in Shujaiyeh. Weapons caches and tunnel shafts were discovered during ground operations. Hamas reported heavy gunfire exchanges with Israeli forces in Rafah and Gaza City. The U.S. military removed an aid pier in Gaza due to impending heavy seas and may not reinstall it unless aid distribution improves. The vast majority of aid remains in storage due to logistical challenges. According to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 37,834 Palestinians have been killed, and 86,858 wounded since the war's start.
Iran's mission to the UN warned of an "obliterating war" if Israel initiates full-scale aggression against Lebanon. Iran is installing centrifuges at its Fordow uranium enrichment plant and will hold a runoff presidential election on Friday between reformist Masoud Pezeshkian and hardliner Saeed Jalili.
Protests against the Netanyahu government and for a hostage deal are planned across Israel. Families of hostages urge the government to prioritize a deal to prevent further conflict.
The European Union condemned Israel's decision to legalize five settler outposts, calling it a deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of "becoming a Palestinian" for votes, following similar remarks about President Biden during a recent debate. The Biden administration has sent substantial munitions to Israel since October 7, including over 10,000 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles.
In Serbia, a police officer guarding the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade fatally shot an assailant who attacked him with a crossbow. Israel declared war after Hamas killed over 1,200 Israelis and wounded more than 3,300 on October 7. The conflict follows a significant domestic crisis and escalating violence between West Bank Palestinians and Israeli settlers.
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