Middle East Conflict: Pakistan Launches Retaliatory Strikes In Iran; China Reportedly Offers Mediation

Israel intercepts aerial target from Red Sea

Israel intercepted a "suspicious aerial target" from the Red Sea that was on its way to Israeli territory, the IDF said Thursday afternoon local time.

Netanyahu 'hardened' Israeli outline for potential new hostage deal: Local media

The Israeli prime minister "hardened" some parts of an Israeli outline that could have possibly led to a new hostage deal, local Channel 13 reported Thursday. The move, which he reportedly did not coordinate with war cabinet members Benny Gantz and defense minister Yoav Gallant, delayed the outline's supposed presentation to mediators, as per the report.

The mediator was supposed to be "either" Egypt or Saudi Arabia, the outlet added. The other members of the war cabinet were reportedly enraged after learning about the move, but political sources told the outlet that "they are still working" on the Israeli outline.

Israel attacks Hezbollah infrastructure after terror group's alleged de-escalation rejection

Israeli warplanes on Thursday afternoon attacked infrastructure used by Iranian-backed Hezbollah in the village of Al Adisa, southern Lebanon, the IDF said.

The strikes came after reports emerged of Hezbollah allegedly rejecting Washington's "initial ideas" to reduce fighting in the Israeli-Lebanese border in efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Demonstrators gather at Israel-Gaza border crossing over humanitarian aid

Some Israeli citizens were demonstrating Thursday at the Israel-Gaza border crossing, calling on the end of humanitarian aid deliveries into the enclave, local i24 News reported.

The protesters said allowing more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza was only "lengthening the war." They also brought pita bread to the rally to symbolize the "diet of the hostages," as told by freed abductees.

"We're feeding a people who are biting back the hand that is feeding them," one protester said, adding that the "way the deal was made is an error," referring to the Qatar and France-brokered deal that allowed for medicine packages for some hostages with chronic illness in exchange for truckloads of humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

Hezbollah leader says Iran, Pakistan should be 'collaborating'

Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday said neighbors Iran and Pakistan should be "collaborating" in eliminating terror hideouts as it can be "a step forward for the relations of both countries."

Nasrallah's remarks come as tit-for-tat strikes initiated by Iran spell trouble for an already troubled Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war started.

Hamas 'not on agenda' in efforts to achieve peace: Herzog

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Israel will "reach out for peace, but Hamas is not on the agenda at all," as he spoke at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos Thursday, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported.

His remarks came amid talks for a post-war Gaza. He added that the Palestinian Authority should "change and stop educating its children to hate Jews."

Hezbollah rejects US ideas for de-escalating tensions with Israel: Report

Iran-backed Hezbollah, which is a Hamas ally and a significantly larger terror group than Hamas, rejected Washington's "initial ideas" for de-escalating tensions near the Israeli-Lebanese border, Reuters reported Thursday, citing Lebanese officials.

The militant group has been launching rockets toward northern Israeli communities since Oct. 7, with its attacks only intensifying in recent weeks.

Israel has warned Hezbollah against initiating an all-out war in the northern front.

China offers to mediate between Iran, Pakistan: Arab media

Beijing has offered to mediate between Iran and Pakistan "if both parties wish to" de-escalate the situation following tit-for-tat strikes, Sky News Arabia reported Thursday, citing Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, as per a Google translation.

The Chinese government previously called on the two sides to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation that may destabilize the region.

Protesters demonstrate outside ICRC office

Demonstrators gathered outside the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Tel Aviv Thursday to mark the first birthday of the youngest hostage in Gaza. The protesters called out the names of the remaining hostages still in captivity since the war started.

Youngest hostage marks 1st birthday in captivity

Kfir Bibas, the youngest hostage taken by Hamas into the Gaza Strip, turned one Thursday "as a captive," the Israeli government announced.

Bibas was only 10 months old when he was taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 massacre. He was abducted along with his parents and his brother, 4-year-old Ariel. Israel has maintained that the Bibas family is still being held captive in Gaza.

Hamas previously claimed that the family were killed in an Israeli airstrike but has not provided evidence of the said claim.

Pakistani political figures defend strikes in Iran

Several political figures in Pakistan took to X (formerly Twitter) Thursday to show support after the country carried out vindicatory strikes in Iran.

Sen. Afnan Ullah Khan said "absolutely no one is allowed to violate" the country's airspace and sovereignty."

Former Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the armed forces for completing the operation. He said the country "has taken fitting diplomatic and military steps for peace and security."

Pakistan was "exercising its right of self-defense in accordance with international law," Sen. Abdul Kareem said in a Google-translated post.

Indian Navy helps Houthi-attacked ship

A guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy "swiftly" responded to the distress call made by the U.S.-owned and operated M/V/ Genco Picardy, which was struck by a Houthi drone Wednesday, the Indian Navy said Thursday.

The news comes after the U.S. military said it struck 14 Houthi missiles hours following the Houthi drone attack against the American-owned vessel.

Pakistan warns Iran after retaliatory strikes: Report

Pakistan on Thursday "appealed to Iran to exercise restraint and not to take any further steps which may worsen the situation," Indian media company NDTV reported.

As earlier reported, Pakistan struck what it said were "terrorist hideouts" in Iran Thursday morning, after it warned of serious consequences" over the IRGC's deadly strike in Pakistani territory on Wednesday.

40 'terrorists' killed in Khan Yunis operations in Wednesday: IDF

About 40 "terrorists" were eliminated by Israeli troops in ground operations over the last 24 hours in Khan Yunis, the second-largest city in the Gaza Strip, the IDF said Thursday.

Weapons such as grenades Kalashnikov rifles and other military equipment were located in a terrorist's house, as per the Israeli army.

Heavy political pressure on Pakistan's army leadership led to retaliation: Report

Pakistan's strikes in Iran marked the first time the country responded with a comprehensive military move toward Iran, and the decision was made amid "heavy political and military pressure" on top leadership of the Pakistani army, The Guardian reported, citing sources in Islamabad.

Iranian media reported that seven people were killed in the retaliatory strikes, including four children.

India says it understands self-defense actions in escalating Iran-Pakistan conflict

India has "zero tolerance for terrorism," India's foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Thursday in response to questions regarding Pakistan's retaliatory strikes in Iran. Jaiswal noted that while the issue is a matter between the two nations, New Delhi understands "actions that countries take in their self defense."

Pakistan explains Iran retaliatory strikes

"This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinate and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. A number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation – codenamed 'Marg Bar Sarmachar,'" the Pakistani foreign ministry announced Thursday.

The "sole objective" of the strikes were "in pursuit of Pakistan's own security and national interest," it added.

The ministry said the Pakistan Armed Forces were professional in carrying out the operation, adding that Iran is a "brotherly country" and Pakistanis respect the Iranian people.

Pakistan strikes Iran, killing 9 people: Iranian media

Pakistan on Thursday carried out multiple strikes in Iran, a day after Tehran launched an airstrike in Pakistani territory. Islamabad said six people, including two children, were killed in the Wednesday attack by Tehran. Several others were injured.

Iranian media reported that nine people, including three women and four children, were killed in the Pakistani strikes.

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'Significant' Israeli force fighting within northern Gaza camp

A "significant" force of the Israeli army is fighting against Hamas within the Al-Shati camp in northern Gaza, local media reported late Wednesday.

The news comes about a week after the IDF left northern Gaza areas where it had been operating since Oct. 7. The Israeli army also previously said it was winding down operations in the northern part of the enclave as it refocuses on Khan Yunis in the south and other parts of central Gaza.

Higher probability of war on northern front: IDF chief

The Israeli army's chief, Halevi, told IDF forces during a reserve exercise in the north Wednesday that "the likelihood of war in the north is higher than before." He said the Israeli army will "go forward with all our strength" if it has to.

His remarks came amid escalated tensions with Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based terror group backed by Iran and Hamas ally. The heavily armed paramilitary organization has been launching rockets toward northern Israeli communities since the war started, displacing thousands of residents in the area.

Israeli government in 'political storm' over no-inspection process for aid delivery

The Israeli government is experiencing a "domestic political storm" after Hamas' Marzouk announced that Israel will not conduct inspections on trucks carrying medicine and aid for hostages and Palestinians, Haaretz reported late Wednesday.

Netanyahu has reportedly sought to distance himself from the decision, while war cabinet minister Benny Gantz rebuked the Israeli prime minister's move, saying the decision ultimately "rests on the political echelon, and only on us."

Israel and Hamas on Tuesday agreed on a Qatar and France-brokered deal to deliver medicine for some 45 Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity in exchange for medicine and aid for Palestinians.

Marzouk said at the time that the ratio of the deliveries will be at 1,000 aid packages for Palestinians is to one medicine pack for one hostage.

US strikes Houthi missile launchers after US-owned ship attacked

The U.S. late on Wednesday struck Houthi missile launchers that were being prepared by the Yemeni rebel group to attack shipping activities in the Red Sea. A total of 14 "Iran-backed Houthi missiles" were struck by U.S. forces.

The strikes were carried out hours after a Houthi drone launched "from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen" struck the Marshall Islands-flagged M/V Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden. There was "some damage" reported by the U.S.-owned and operated bulk carrier vessel.

Blinken, Netanyahu had a frustrating discussion over Gaza: Report

Blinken's visit to Israel last week didn't bring out the results the U.S. Secretary of State wanted as the Israeli Prime Minister rebuffed all but one of the White House's requests amid the war in Gaza and escalated tensions in the northern front, NBC News reported early Thursday, citing multiple senior administration officials.

The former U.S. deputy national security advisor reportedly told an "unmoved" Netanyahu that "ultimately there is no military solution to Hamas," and the Israeli leader should recognize that or the violent history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only keep repeating, as per the officials.

Blinken previously said Washington has been convincing Israel to scale back its military offensive in the Gaza Strip and revert to a more targeted campaign against Hamas operatives.

Netanyahu also reportedly rejected the U.S.-recommended route of providing Palestinians with a pathway to statehood, which Saudi Arabia wants before it normalizes relations with Israel.

Blinken reportedly deliberately traveled to Arab nations first before visiting Israel so he can present a unified Arab proposal regarding an after-war scenario to Netanyahu.

One senior administration official said U.S. President Joe Biden's "lofty hopes" of a peaceful Middle East may need to wait for a post-Netanyahu Israeli government.