At least 15 people were killed in Damascus, according to Syrian state media. The Israeli military said it had “inflicted significant damage” to a Palestinian Islamic Jihad command center.

Israeli officials are insisting on maintaining a capacity to strike Lebanon at any moment as part of conditions to secure a ceasefire with Iran-backed Hezbollah, France's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut for a third consecutive day on Thursday, hitting locations in the capital's southern suburbs early in the morning after a night of heavy bombardments.

Israel expects the incoming Trump administration to take a hard line against Iran and its nuclear ambitions, which will create an opportunity for more peace deals with Arab neighbors, a senior member of Israel's security cabinet said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly thrilled with Donald Trump’s successful re-election and hopes for a quick diplomatic victory in the Middle East. Protests broke out in Tel Aviv after Netanyahu fired his defense minister who called for a cease-fire in Gaza.