Israel approves 19 new West Bank settlements, Smotrich says

Israel's government has overseen an recent expansion of West Bank settlements.

The ceasefire in Gaza is broadly holding, despite sporadic clashes between the Israel Defense Forces and Gaza militants -- plus deadly IDF airstrikes.

Israeli forces inside the strip have pulled back to the so-called "yellow line." Israel Defense Forces chief Eyal Zamir said the position constitutes "a new border line" with Gaza.

The ceasefire is still in the first of three proposed phases. The details of the second phase of the agreement are yet to be agreed. The remains of one deceased hostage are still thought to be in Gaza.

Israeli strikes are also ongoing against alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.


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Israel strikes Gaza targeting Hamas leader

Israel said it conducted a strike in Gaza City targeting "a key Hamas terrorist" on Saturday. Israel claims he was working "to reestablish Hamas' capabilities and weapons manufacturing."

Residents reported hearing bombing in western Gaza City.

Video from the scene of the strike in Gaza shows a burned out car and the driver dead at the wheel as rescuers work at the scene.

A paramedic told the Reuters cameraman that four people were killed and were six injured.

-ABC News' Nasser Atta, Samy Zyara and Diaa Ostaz


379 people killed in Gaza since ceasefire, health officials say

The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza said in a social media post on Wednesday that two people were killed by Israeli fire in the previous 24 hours, with the body of one person who was killed earlier also recovered.

The three casualties brought the overall death toll since the ceasefire came into effect on Oct. 11 to 379 people, the ministry said, with 922 people also wounded. A total of 627 additional bodies have been recovered in that time, the ministry said.

The death toll since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, now stands at 70,369 people with another 171,069 wounded, the ministry said.

Health officials said they expect to find more victims as recovery teams work through rubble in the devastated strip.