KEY POINTS
- Netanyahu says Israel is attacking Hamas 'accomplices' outside Gaza
- IKEA warns of possible supply shortages amid Red Sea shipping disruptions
- IDF says multiple launches detected from Syrian territory
It's the 76th day of the war in Gaza, and tensions in the northern border are reaching a boiling point as local authorities take more steps to protect communities that Iran-backed Hezbollah may target Thursday.
The Yemeni Houthi rebels' chief directly warned the U.S. not to target Houthis. The rebel army has been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea in recent weeks, prompting Washington to establish a multinational naval coalition to protect shipping activities in the area.
Hopes for a potential new hostage deal dashed after Hamas reportedly rejected Israel's latest ceasefire offer. Over in Iraq, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said a rocket was fired at an American air base, magnifying fears of a regional spillover from the Israel-Hamas war.
- Hamas demanded all prisoners be freed in exchange for remaining hostages: Report
- We're 'constantly attacking' Iran's gas stations network: Hackers
- Delayed UN draft resolution adjusts wording to call for 'suspension' of fighting
- IKEA expects shipping delays due to Red Sea turmoil
- Israel, Cyprus discussing Gaza humanitarian aid deliveries through maritime corridor: Israeli FM
- Houthis will target American navigation interests if U.S. attacks: Houthi leader
- EU will 'contribute' to Red Sea naval protection: Bloc's head of foreign policy
- Israel will accept a 'reformed' Palestinian Authority: Israeli national security chief
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said late Wednesday that Israeli troops completed the takeover of the "Hamas leadership center in the Gaza Strip" after weeks of targeting the so-called "Senior Quarter" of the Palestinian terror group.
Hackers who claimed responsibility for a cyberattack against Iranian gas pumps said they were told fuel station workers were ordered to "lie" about the "severity" of the situation.
The United Nations Security Council has once again pushed back a vote on Gaza to Thursday as the council grapples to display a united front amid international pressure.
Even with mounting pressure from the international community to agree to a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said anyone who thinks the IDF will halt military operations against Hamas "is detached from reality."
The Netanyahu government's unwavering stance regarding its goal of eliminating Hamas draws from decades of largely violent Israel-Palestine disputes that ultimately erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 people in a surprise carnage in Israel.
U.S. President Joe Biden has reiterated Washington's support for Israel's right to self-defense but has urged its Middle Eastern ally in recent days to fight with the protection of Gaza civilians in mind.
Over a dozen communities basically locked down over Hezbollah threat: Local media
The local council of Upper Galilee in northern Israel has "basically put at least 15 communities on lockdown" due to the ongoing threat from Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah.
Road closures in Israel's north amid #Hezbollah threats
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 21, 2023
'At least 15 communities on lockdown, they're closing the roads, urging residents to stay off the roads' i24NEWS correspondent @zachonearth reports from the Israel-Lebanon border pic.twitter.com/W0pw9Mxldo
Authorities have urged residents to stay "off the roads" as they shut down junctions in the area due to a "credible threat" specifically from southern Lebanon. The road closures are temporary for the next few hours as Israel monitors the threat, local i24 News reported Thursday local time.
Hezbollah delivered "strong statements" of plans to attack the affected communities, triggering more stringent actions by Israeli authorities to protect residents.
The outlet noted that the closure of roads marks a significant milestone in actions taken by the authorities in northern Israel due to Hezbollah's continuing aggression near the border with Lebanon.
