Houthi missile hits Tel Aviv, causes casualties

The Israel Defense Forces said it failed to intercept the projectile.

Last Updated: December 23, 2024, 2:53 AM EST

Rebel forces in Syria are building a transitional government after toppling the regime of President Bashar Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country.

Meanwhile, the ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza.

Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Dec 17, 2024, 5:00 AM EST

64 patients at Kamal Adwan Hospital still facing relentless bombing

The Kamal Adwan Hospital has been facing relentless and continuous bombing injuring more people in the building.

"The third floor was set on fire, and the water tank was destroyed. The intensive care unit was also targeted while the patients were inside. There were terrifying sounds in the hospital courtyard, and we saw a military vehicle advancing towards the hospital. Barrels were placed, and three of them exploded, causing panic and terror in the hospital," Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, director of the hospital, told ABC News.

People check the damage outside the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip, following a reported Israeli strike that hit the medical complex, Dec. 6, 2024.
AFP via Getty Images

"Drones are constantly dropping bombs on the hospital. Anyone moving in the hospital risks being injured or killed. So far, there is no electricity, water or oxygen at all," the director said.

Victims are treated inside the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip, following a reported Israeli strike that hit the medical complex, Dec. 6, 2024
AFP via Getty Images

Dec 17, 2024, 11:51 AM EST

Israel will occupy Gaza Strip, defense minister says

Israel will have security control over the Gaza Strip, effectively occupying it, Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X Tuesday.

"After we defeat Hamas' military and governmental power in Gaza, Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action, just as in Judea and Samaria," Katz said.

"We will not allow any terrorist organization against Israeli communities and Israeli citizens from Gaza. We will not allow a return to the reality of before October 7th," Katz said.

Katz's predecessor, Yoav Gallant, repeatedly insisted that Israel wanted to avoid the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip.

Dec 17, 2024, 11:51 AM EST

Ceasefire deal 'possible' if Israel does not add new conditions, Hamas says

Amid reports that a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel may be edging closer, Hamas said a "prisoner exchange is possible if the occupation stops putting new conditions."

More than 45,000 people were killed and over 100,000 injured in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry

Over 90% of Gaza's 2.1 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.

Dec 17, 2024, 7:32 AM EST

HTS leader criticizes Israeli incursion, occupation

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham head Ahmed al-Sharaa -- also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani -- told The Times in a new interview that the transitional government in Damascus does "not want any conflict, whether with Israel or anyone else."

PHOTO: This handout image made available by the Syrian Arab News Agency early on Dec. 17, 2024 shows Ahmed al-Sharaa -- also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani -- the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, during a meeting in Damascus, Syria.
This handout image made available by the Telegram channel of the official Syrian Arab News Agency early on Dec. 17, 2024 shows Ahmed al-Sharaa -- also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani -- the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, during a meeting in Damascus, Syria.
-/SANA/AFP via Getty Images

Israel is continuing airstrikes across Syria and has occupied parts of a buffer zone -- demilitarized in a 1974 bilateral deal -- running between the two nations. Israeli leaders say their military operations are intended to prevent "extremists" from launching attacks into Israel.

But Sharaa said the new administration "will not let Syria be used as a launchpad for attacks."

"The Syrian people need a break, and the strikes must end and Israel has to pull back to its previous positions," he added.

Sharaa has asked the international community to pressure Israel to stop its strikes, withdraw from the buffer zone and respect the 1974 agreement.

-ABC News' Bruno Nota and Joe Simonetti

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