Houthi missile hits Tel Aviv, causes casualties

The Israel Defense Forces told ABC News on Wednesday it "removed from the area" a group of alleged Israeli settlers that crossed into Lebanese territory.

"The preliminary investigation indicates that the civilians indeed crossed the blue line by a few meters and after being identified by IDF forces, they were removed from the area," the IDF said in a statemen.

"This is a serious incident that is being investigated," the IDF added. "Any attempt to approach or cross the border into Lebanese territory without coordination poses a life-threatening risk and interferes with the IDF's ability to operate in the area and carry out its mission."

The south of Lebanon remains under IDF evacuation orders following Israel's recent ground offensive there. Israeli forces have committed to withdrawing from all Lebanese territory within 60 days of a ceasefire that came into force on Nov. 27.

-ABC News' Anna Burd and Joe Simonetti

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.

"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.

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.

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.