Israel-Hamas Conflict: Hezbollah Intensifies Strikes In Israel; Ceasefire Delayed, No Hostage Release Before Friday

Second phase of hostage deal could free as many as 100 hostages by the end of November: Palestinian source

The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal includes the release of 50 hostages being held by Hamas, and the second phase "could allow as many as 100 hostages to go free" by the end of the month, Reuters reported, citing a Palestinian source.

The deal has been delayed as the two sides iron out "last minute" details of the hostage release process.

Ceasefire deal expected to come into force Friday: Arab media

The Egyptian government is expecting the ceasefire-hostage deal to "enter into force" Friday "with all its conditions," Sky News Arabia reported Thursday.

'Fewer casualties' in Gaza after ground operations started: Netanyahu

"The war is progressing well" because there were "fewer casualties" after Israeli forces started ground operations in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said Thursday.

When asked if Israel is winning the war, the Israeli prime minister said his country "will win" because it had "no choice" but to defeat barbarism.

His comments came during a critical period in the Israel-Hamas conflict as a ceasefire deal that was expected to start Thursday has been delayed through at least Friday. The agreement includes the release of dozens of hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Iranian foreign minister meets Hezbollah leader in Lebanon

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah Thursday, local media reported, citing Lebanese news site Naharnet. Amir-Abdollahian reportedly landed in Beirut Wednesday, marking his second visit to Lebanon since the war started.

The Iranian minister reportedly told Lebanese news channel Al-Mayadeen upon his arrival that the Israel-Hamas conflict is likely to spill over unless the ceasefire agreement is upheld.

35 launches detected from Lebanon

The Israeli air defense forces were able to intercept "several" of around 35 launches fired from Lebanon in northern Israel Thursday, the IDF said. Israeli fighter jets responded in kind, attacking some launchers within Lebanese territory.

Lebanon-based paramilitary group Hezbollah has intensified its strikes toward Israel in recent days after its leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel against continued air strikes in Gaza.

Spain, Belgium PMs visit Israel

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his Belgian counterpart, Alexander De Croo, visited Israel Thursday and met Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

"I made clear that Israel has the right to defend itself, and that we are committed to international humanitarian law, as we are committed to working for a better future for the people of Israel and the whole region," Herzog said.

300 targets attacked by Israeli air strikes in the last day: IAF

Around 300 Hamas targets were attacked by Israeli warplanes in the last day, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) said Thursday. Among the military assets attacked were underground combat tunnels and improvised explosive device (IED) warehouses.

Organs of soldier who died from his battle wounds saves six lives

The organs of Staff Sgt. Yehonatan Samo, who was seriously wounded in ground battles with Hamas and died on Nov. 8, saved six lives, the Israeli government said Thursday.

Among the people Samo's organs saved were a 10-year-old boy, an 8-month-old baby girl, and a father of four who received his heart.

British foreign secretary visits Kibbutz Be'eri

David Cameron, Britain's foreign secretary, visited Kibbutz Be'eri Thursday morning. "I wanted to come here to see it for myself; I have heard and seen things I will never forget," he said.

Kibbutz Be'eri was one of the areas that Hamas operatives attacked on Oct. 7.

Trucks carrying thousands of liters of fuel enter Gaza: Arab media

Two trucks carrying "tens of thousands of liters" of fuel entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing Thursday, Arab media reported.

Evacuation corridor reopens

The Israeli army has reopened an evacuation passage for northern Gaza residents that are fleeing to the south. The IDF will also temporarily halt military operations in the al-Salam and al-Manara communities in Khan Yunis.

15 properties searched in Germany over Hamas, Samidoun links

A total of 15 properties across four German states were searched by German authorities Thursday in connection to a ban on Hamas and Samidoun activities that Germany announced earlier this month. Samidoun is a pro-Palestinian group.

"With the bans on Hamas and Samidoun in Germany, we have sent a clear signal that we will not tolerate any glorification or support of the barbaric terror of Hamas against Israel," German interior minister Nancy Faeser said.

Discussions on truce deal's start time still ongoing: Egyptian source

Communications are still ongoing to "quickly begin" the ceasefire deal in Gaza, Arab media reported, citing an Egyptian source.

Truce implementation delay due to hostage release details

The delay in implementing a truce in the fighting was due to "last minute" details regarding the process of releasing hostages, specifically on which individuals will be freed and how, AFP reported Thursday, citing a Palestinian official.

Israel's Supreme Court junks 2 hostage deal appeals

The Israeli Supreme Court rejected two appeals Thursday that were filed in a bid to block the hostage deal that will also see the release of some Palestinian detainees in Israel. The court said it cannot intervene on the matter.

IDF attacks anti-tank squad in Zareit

Israeli troops attacked an anti-tank squad in the Zareit area with artillery early Thursday, the IDF said. They also attacked sources of launches detected from Lebanese territory that were targeting the northern part of Israel.

Israel intercepts missile from Lebanese territory

Israel's defense forces intercepted a surface-to-air missile launched toward an IDF aircraft from Lebanese territory Wednesday night, the IDF said in a Google-translated post Thursday. In response, Israeli fighter jets attacked the source of the launch.

Israeli forces destroy tunnel shaft in Beit Hanoun

Fighters of the Israeli army's 924^th Engineering Battalion and 12^th Brigade uncovered a tunnel shaft "in the agricultural area" of Beit Hanoun, a city on the northeast edge of the Gaza Strip. The tunnel shaft has since been destroyed.

In another similar operation, soldiers with the 14^th Brigade found many weapons and a tunnel shaft "in a civilian house" within the same city.

Al-Shifa Hospital director arrested: local reports

Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the director of the Al-Shifa Hospital, has been arrested, local media reported, citing an Israeli source. Several other doctors working at Gaza's largest health and medical complex were also arrested, as per the reports.

Israeli forces raided the hospital last week and have since unearthed a tunnel complex that it said had been used by Hamas for shelter and as a command center.

Delay in ceasefire-hostage deal implementation 'no cause for concern': Israeli source

The postponement of the ceasefire-hostage deal's implementation is "no cause for concern," Hareetz reported, citing an Israeli source familiar with the negotiations.

"The delay does not stem from a breakdown in talks, but rather from the need to resolve administrative matters, which are being addressed," the source added.

Tunnel under Al-Shifa connected to civilian residence: IDF

The tunnel that Israeli forces uncovered beneath the Al-Shifa Hospital is connected to a house near the hospital, the IDF said Thursday morning. Beneath the floor of a room in the said residence is tunnel with a staircase that the Israeli army said was connected to the tunnel under the Al-Shifa Hospital, as well as a "different place, different location where the terrorists can move," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Daniel Hagari said.

Ceasefire start time to be announced soon: Qatar foreign ministry

"The talks on the executive plan for the truce agreement in Gaza are progressing positively," the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a Google-translated post Thursday, quoting spokesperson Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari.

Local media also reported that the ceasefire's starting time is expected to be announced in the "coming hours."

US shoots down "multiple" drones from Yemen: CENTCOM

The U.S.S. Thomas Hudner (DDG116) shot down "multiple one-way attack drones launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen," the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said early Thursday Yemen time.

The ship and crew sustained no damage or injuries after the drones were shot down during a patrol operation in the Red Sea.

'Will you remain silent?' IDF asks international community after deeper look into tunnel complex under Al-Shifa

The Israeli army once again released new footage of the tunnel that it said Israeli troops found beneath the Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest health and medical compound.

Hagari provided a tour of the massive tunnel complex that included multiple rooms, toilets and a kitchenette. An "operational room" had communication and electricity lines, while another room had two beds that has an air conditioning system.

After the tour video was published, the IDF posted a video message from Hagari. "We have an important question to ask the international community: What will you do to stop Gazans' hospitals from being turned into terror bases in the future? Will you condemn Hamas or will you continue to be silent?" he said.

U.S. will not allow Palestinian relocation from Gaza or West Bank: Biden

Biden told Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in a call Thursday that "under no circumstances will the United States permit the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, or the besiegement of Gaza, or the redrawing of the borders of Gaza," the White House said in a statement.

He further "affirmed his commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state and recognized Egypt's essential role in setting the conditions for that outcome."

While Biden has floated a two-state solution to the decades-long conflict, he affirmed that "under no circumstances can Gaza remain a sanctuary for Hamas where they can threaten Israel and Palestinians alike."

The leaders' call came after Israel and Hamas agreed on a truce that includes the release of dozens of hostages being held in Gaza. Egypt played a key role in helping Qatar broker the ceasefire-hostage deal.

Blinken speaks to Saudi foreign minister

In a call with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Thursday, Blinken affirmed the urgency of "preventing further spread of the [Israel-Hamas] conflict, and reinforcing regional stability and security," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press release.

Blinken's discussion of the potential regional impact of the war with the Kingdom's foreign minister came amid increasing fears of a spillover, especially as other Iran-backed terror groups have targeted Israel since the Oct. 7 massacre.

"A sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians is a shared priority for both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia," Blinken said after the call.

Son of senior Hezbollah member killed after Israeli strike in Beit Yahoun

Five Hezbollah fighters were killed after an Israeli air strike in Beit Yahoun, south of Lebanon Wednesday, Reuters reported Thursday, citing Hezbollah and three sources with knowledge of the situation.

Among the dead was Abbas Raad, the son of senior Hezbollah official and parliament member Mohammad Raad, sources said. The senior Raad was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2019.

News of the younger Raad's death comes amid intensifying rocket exchanges between Israel and the Lebanese paramilitary group along the northern border.

Ceasefire reportedly pushed back to Friday: Palestinian media

The ceasefire "will be postponed until Friday – due to last-minute differences," a Qatari official told Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported Thursday.

Qataris told an Israeli political official Hamas had not yet signed the ceasefire-hostage deal, Kan reported earlier Thursday.

No hostage release before Friday: Israel

No hostages will be freed Thursday, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said, as the families and loved ones of hostages expressed mixed feelings over the ceasefire agreement that will not free all of the people abducted during the Hamas' Oct. 7 carnage in Israel.

"The negotiations on the release of our hostages are advancing and continuing constantly. The start of the release will take place according to the original agreement between the sides, and not before Friday," Hanegbi said.