Israel Iran War Live Updates: Israel foreign ministry says all unaccounted Israelis in Amsterdam located

A spate of recent intelligence successes by Israel against Iran and its allies have underlined the extent of Israel's infiltration of the establishment in Iran, causing major anxiety for its leadership, analysts say.

It remains a closely guarded secret how, and how deeply, Israel has infiltrated Iran's administration and security apparatus.

But analysts say Israel's recent successes -- including assassinations, targeted strikes and secret operations -- would be impossible without information being leaked at a high level.

The issue of the extent of Israel's reach inside the Islamic republic is particularly acute as tensions spiral between the two foes, with both sides openly attacking the other's territory for the first time.

In a rare public acknowledgement of the gravity of the matter for the Islamic republic, a senior advisor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week said the "problem of infiltration had become very serious in recent years".

"There have been some instances of negligence for years," said Ali Larijani, the former parliament speaker and nuclear negotiation.

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant officially stepped down Friday in a ceremony that replaced him with Israel Katz, the former Foreign Minister, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Gallant earlier this week. Israel has been rocked by Gallant's firing, with the news setting off mass protests across the country. Many in Israel view Gallant as the sole moderate voice in a far-right government, and see his dismissal as a sign that the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu has lost interest in returning hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas militants.

Gallant thanked the military and warned that the war's "mission is not yet complete; we must meet our moral and traditional obligation, and the war's objective is to bring home the remaining 101 hostages who haven't yet seen their families and homes."

Israel Katz, his replacement, currently serves as foreign minister and is a longtime Netanyahu loyalist and veteran Cabinet minister. Katz thanked Gallant and said the war's objectives were to "stop Iranian aggression and deny its capabilities, continue dismantling Hamas as a governing and military force, and defeat Hezbollah." He added that returning the hostages was a top "moral priority."

Amsterdam's mayor said Friday the city had been "deeply damaged" by "hateful anti-Semitic rioters" who hunted down and attacked fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv in a night of "unbearable" violence.

Femke Halsema described gangs on scooters targeting fans of the Israeli club, beating and kicking them in "hit-and-run" assaults, leaving five people hospitalised.

"I can easily understand that this brings back memories of pogroms," Halsema said, adding that she was "ashamed" by the violence.

"Our city has been deeply damaged. Jewish culture has been deeply threatened. This is an outburst of anti-Semitism that I hope to never see again," she added.

Violence flared after the Europa League match between Amsterdam-based Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, which the home club won 5-0.

Despite a "sporting" atmosphere in the ground and a huge police presence, authorities were unable to stop the rapid attacks on fans in several locations in the city.

Officers made 62 arrests in total but police chief Peter Holla said the hit-and-run tactics of the rioters made it "exceptionally" difficult to prevent the attacks.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned "intolerable" violence against Israeli fans during clashes in Amsterdam after a Europa League football match, with his foreign minister on Friday labelling the scenes "deeply shameful".

The violence flared overnight, with five people hospitalised and dozens arrested, after the game between home team Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv that Ajax won 5-0.

"We must not accept this. Anyone who attacks Jews is attacking us all," said Scholz on social media platform X. "Jews must be able to feel safe in Europe."

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the "terrible" and "deeply shameful" violence.

"The outbreak of such violence against Jews crosses all borders. There is no justification for it," she wrote, also on X.

Israeli, Dutch and other European leaders have also condemned the violence.

The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, described an "explosion" of anti-Semitism with "hit and run" attacks on Maccabi supporters and "hooligans on scooters" seeking out Israeli fans.

Germany is a strong supporter of Israel, and has repeatedly defended the country's right to defend itself following last year's attack by Hamas that triggered the war in Gaza.

Israeli, Dutch and European leaders on Friday condemned "anti-Semitic" clashes that erupted in Amsterdam overnight after a Europa League football match, with the city's mayor detailing targeted attacks.

The violence flared after the game between home team Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv that Ajax won 5-0.

Five people were hospitalised and 62 arrests were made as a result of the clashes, police said.

The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, said the violence represented an "explosion" of anti-Semitism that has "not been seen in a long time".

She described "hit and run" attacks on Maccabi supporters, with "hooligans on scooters" seeking out Israeli fans.

"Men on scooters criss-crossed the city looking for Israeli football fans. It was a hit and run. I can easily understand that this brings back memories of pogroms," Halsema said.

She added: "Our city has been deeply damaged. Jewish culture has been deeply threatened. This is an outburst of anti-Semitism that I hope to never see again."

- Security tightened -

The mayor announced tighter security measures including a temporary ban on protests.

Amsterdam officials said earlier that "riot police had to intervene several times, protect Israeli supporters and escort them to hotels."

Israel's foreign ministry said on Friday it had located all Israeli citizens who were unaccounted for after clashes broke out after a football match in Amsterdam.

"All the Israelis who were out of contact in Amsterdam have been located," the ministry said in a statement, following reports that several Israelis were missing since the violence erupted overnight.

Amsterdam's mayor said Friday that the Dutch counter-terror watchdog said there was no concrete threat to Israeli soccer fans after a game that ended with clashes between the fans and protesters. The city's acting police chief said at a news conference that the fans were "willfully attacked." Amsterdam police said Friday that five people were hospitalised and 62 arrested after what authorities described as systematic anti-semitic violence targeting Israeli fans following a soccer match.

An Israeli plane on a mission to bring home football fans from Amsterdam after clashes in the Dutch city took off from Ben Gurion airport on Friday, the Israel Airports Authority said.
The plane, the first of two, would collect fans after the clashes that followed a Europa League match between Dutch club Ajax and Israel's Maccabi Tel-Aviv, authority spokeswoman Liza Dvir told AFP.

Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev's office said in a statement she had spoken to her Dutch counterpart about "the aerial rescue operation of Israeli citizens from Amsterdam".

Regev asked Dutch Transport Minister Barry Madlener to give the planes permission to use Amsterdam's Schiphol airport to "rescue the Israelis".

Regev also requested "safe transportation" for the evacuated Israelis from hotels to the airport.

The statement said the Dutch minister "expressed his sorrow for this ugly case" and that his government was working to ensure the safety of Israeli passengers.

Despite the violence directed at Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam, France won't change its plans to host a Nations' League game against Israel next week, the interior minister said on Friday.
"France is not backing down because that would amount to giving up in the face of threats of violence and anti-Semitism", Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said in a post on X.

Tensions over Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza are running high in France, home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, where authorities this year reported a surge in antisemitic incidents.

Israel said it would send two planes to bring back fans of an Israeli soccer team from the Netherlands on Friday after overnight attacks in the streets that officials described as antisemitic.

Videos circulating on social media showed riot police intervening in street clashes, with some attackers shouting anti-Israeli slurs.

Paris police are planning to deploy over 2,000 officers around the Stade de France to secure the game on Thursday, Nov. 14, BFM TV reported. Authorities are also expected to cordon off an unusually large security perimeter.

The interior ministry and Paris police department did not immediately reply to Reuters' requests for details of the exact plans.

Israel's top diplomat will travel to Amsterdam on Friday for an "urgent" visit, his office said, after clashes following a Europa League football match left several Israeli fans injured.
"In the light of the serious events, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar will depart shortly for an urgent diplomatic visit to the Netherlands," his ministry said in a statement.

An Israeli plane sent to bring home football fans from Amsterdam after clashes in the Dutch city took off from Ben Gurion airport on Friday, the Israel Airports Authority said.

Liza Dvir, spokeswoman for the authority, told AFP that the plane, the first of two, was expected to land in Amsterdam in a few hours to bring fans home after clashes erupted following a Europa League football match.

Following violent antisemitic attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans in Amsterdam during a Europa League match against Ajax, Israeli and Dutch leaders condemned the incidents. Israel dispatched planes to bring supporters home, with Prime Minister Netanyahu calling for the Dutch government to take strong action against the perpetrators and enhance security for the Jewish community. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof expressed horror over the violence and pledged to prosecute those responsible. Nationalist Dutch politician Geert Wilders also condemned the attacks, calling them unacceptable.

Hezbollah said it targeted a naval base near the Israeli city of Haifa with missiles, the second such attack in less than 24 hours. The Iran-backed Lebanese group said it targeted the Stella Maris naval base northwest of Haifa with a missile barrage, "in response to the attacks and massacres committed by the Israeli enemy."

At least five UN peacekeepers were wounded in an Israeli air strike in south Lebanon on Thursday, the United Nations said, in a raid that also killed three civilians.
Israel, which has not commented on the incident in Lebanon's Sidon city, launched a barrage of strikes after Hezbollah said it carried out a missile attack targeting a military base near Israel's main international airport on Wednesday.

Hezbollah and Israel have been at war since late September, when Israel broadened its focus from fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip to securing its northern border, even as the Gaza war continues.

As mediation efforts keep stalling, the US State Department said Secretary Antony Blinken would "continue to pursue an end to the war in Gaza" and in Lebanon before handing over to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump in January.

In Gaza, the civil defence agency said 12 people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a school-turned-shelter for displaced people on Thursday.

"Women and children were torn apart by F-16 jets and missiles weighing a ton," said witness Ibrahim al-Madhoun at the site of the strike in Gaza City.

Hezbollah began low intensity strikes on Israel last year in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel which triggered the Gaza war.

The raid in which the UN peacekeepers were wounded struck near an army checkpoint in Sidon, south Lebanon's main city.

The Lebanese army said Israel struck a car at a checkpoint, killing three civilians and wounding three soldiers as well as members of the Malaysian contingent of the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL.

"Five peacekeepers were lightly injured," UNIFIL said in a statement, urging all sides to avoid endangering peacekeepers or civilians.

The Malaysian defence ministry gave a toll of six peacekeepers wounded when the strike "caused damage to a bus carrying" them.

Lebanon's foreign ministry accused Israel of repeatedly "targeting UNIFIL forces, Lebanese army personnel and civilians".

Israel's new Defence Minister, Israel Katz, was sworn in before parliament on Thursday, following the shock dismissal of his predecessor, Yoav Gallant, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gallant was dismissed after a breakdown in trust between him and Netanyahu over Israel's military response to Hamas in Gaza, following the deadly October 7 attack.

Katz, formerly the foreign minister, vowed to defeat Israel's enemies and replace Gallant. His tenure as foreign minister ended amid a diplomatic incident with France when Israeli police briefly detained French gendarmes at a church compound in Jerusalem, leading to a cancelled visit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Barrot condemned Israel's actions while expressing support for its right to self-defense.

Netanyahu's decision to fire Gallant during the ongoing conflict has sparked outrage, with opposition leaders and thousands of protesters criticizing the move. Gallant had also been a strong advocate for conscripting ultra-Orthodox men into military service, a point of contention with Netanyahu's far-right coalition.

American F-15 fighter planes arrived in the Middle East on Thursday, the US military said, after Washington announced the deployment of additional assets to the region in a warning to Iran.

"Today, US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England, arrive in the US Central Command area of responsibility," the military command responsible for the Middle East said on social media.

The United States announced on November 1 that it was sending bombers, fighter and tanker aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the Middle East.

"Should Iran, its partners, or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said in a statement on the deployment.

Israel launched strikes against Iran on October 26, hitting military infrastructure while steering clear of critical nuclear and oil sites, and the country's supreme leader has vowed that Tehran will retaliate for Israeli attacks.

Masked men attacked two students who were demonstrating in support of Israel at Chicago's DePaul University on Wednesday, resulting in minor injuries and raising concern about potential antisemitism on the Catholic campus.

The university said it was working with Chicago police to determine if the assault was a hate crime.

Violence against Jewish and Palestinian Americans has surged across the country in the 13 months since the militant group Hamas attacked Israeli and Israel's subsequent assault on Hamas-governed Gaza.

One of the victims was a former member of the Israel Defense Forces who was wearing a sign identifying him as such and inviting conversation, said Josh Weiner, a co-founder of the Chicago Jewish Alliance, who said he knows both victims and had spoken with them since the incident.

University President Robert Manuel said the students received minor injuries and declined medical treatment. "We are outraged that this occurred on our campus," he said.

At least five UN peacekeepers were wounded in an Israeli air strike in south Lebanon on Thursday, the United Nations said, in a raid that also killed three civilians.

Israel, which has not commented on the incident in Lebanon's Sidon city, launched a barrage of strikes after Hezbollah said it carried out a missile attack targeting a military base near Israel's main international airport on Wednesday.

Hezbollah and Israel have been at war since late September, when Israel broadened its focus from fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip to securing its northern border, even as the Gaza war continues.

As mediation efforts keep stalling, the US State Department said Secretary Antony Blinken would "continue to pursue an end to the war in Gaza" and in Lebanon before handing over to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump in January.

In Gaza, the civil defence agency said 12 people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a school-turned-shelter for displaced people on Thursday.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday that Israel had made some progress in getting assistance into Gaza but more needed to be done.
The US told Israel in a letter last month it must take steps in the next month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on US military aid.

While Austin did not specifically comment on the letter, he said: "They have made some progress... but more needs to be made."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Austin wrote to Israeli officials last month demanding concrete measures to address the worsening situation in the Palestinian enclave.

Failure to do so could impact US policy, said the letter.

France accused Israel on Thursday of harming bilateral ties after Israeli security forces entered a holy site under French administration in Jerusalem and briefly detained two French officials with diplomatic status.

The incident occurred as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot was due to visit the compound of The Church of the Pater Noster on the Mount of Olives. The site, one of four administered by France in Jerusalem, is under Paris' responsibility and deemed part of France.

French diplomatic sources said Israeli security had been told not to enter before Barrot's visit.

However, they did so and as a consequence Barrot refused to enter the compound, called Eleona in French, while they were present. Two French security officials were then briefly arrested, the sources said, adding that the Israelis were aware the two were from the consulate and had diplomatic status.

Israel's new Defence Minister Israel Katz was sworn in before parliament on Thursday, after his predecessor's shock dismissal by the prime minister over a breakdown in trust during the war in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Yoav Gallant on Tuesday after frequent clashes over Israel's retaliatory military offensive against Hamas following the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel on October 7 last year.

Before taking over from Gallant, Katz -- who vowed to defeat Israel's enemies -- was the foreign minister, with Gideon Saar appointed successor.

Katz's last day as foreign minister was marred by a diplomatic incident with France, when Israeli police entered a French-owned church compound in Jerusalem and briefly detained two gendarmes.

The incident prompted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to abandon a scheduled visit to the site, the Eleona church compound in annexed east Jerusalem.

The Lebanese military reported that an Israeli attack near an army checkpoint in Sidon's southern region on Thursday resulted in injuries to three of its soldiers and four Malaysian UN peacekeepers.

"The Israeli enemy targeted a car while it was passing through the Awali checkpoint in Sidon, which led to the killing of three citizens who were inside it, in addition to the injury of three soldiers manning the checkpoint and four members of the Malaysian" contingent in the UNIFIL peacekeeping force, the army said in a statement.

Hezbollah acknowledges initiatives aimed at ending the conflict in Lebanon, yet maintains a cautious stance regarding expectations from any specific U.S. administration, stated Hezbollah parliamentarian Ibrahim al-Moussawi on Thursday in response to Donald Trump's electoral success.

"It might be a change in the party who is in power, but when it comes to Israel, they have more or less the same policy," Moussawi told news agency Reuters. "We want to see actions, we want to see decisions taken," he said.

The Israeli defence ministry announced on Thursday about finalising a $5.2 billion contract with Boeing for acquiring 25 advanced F-15 fighter aircraft, utilising US military assistance funds.

The agreement includes a provision for an additional 25 aircraft, with the initial deliveries scheduled to commence in 2031, delivering four to six aircraft annually, according to the ministry's official statement.

The ministry confirmed that these F-15IA aircraft would be "equipped with cutting-edge weapons systems, including the integration of cutting-edge Israeli technologies".

The ministry further elaborated that these upgraded aircraft would demonstrate enhanced capabilities, including superior range, increased payload capacity, and improved operational effectiveness across various combat situations.

Israeli forces launched aerial attacks on Hezbollah's primary stronghold in southern Beirut on January 4, with one strike occurring in proximity to Lebanon's sole international airport.

The early morning attacks followed Hezbollah's announcement of multiple offensives against Israel, including a missile attack directed at a military installation near Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport.

Additionally, on January 3, health authorities reported that Israeli bombardments in the Bekaa Valley and the populous historic city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, a Hezbollah-controlled region, resulted in 40 casualties.

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has been ongoing since late September, when Israeli forces expanded their military operations beyond the Gaza Strip conflict with Hamas to establish security along their northern frontier.

The defence ministry of Israel announced on Thursday the finalisation of a contract to purchase 25 advanced F-15 combat aircraft manufactured by Boeing Co.
The ministry indicated that this $5.2 billion deal was included in a larger US assistance package, which received approval from both the U.S. Administration and Congress in early 2023. The agreement also includes a provision for acquiring an additional 25 aircraft.

An Israeli drone attack struck a vehicle on Thursday along a crucial highway that connects Beirut to the Bekaa valley and neighbouring Syria, according to Lebanese state media reports.

"An enemy drone targeted a car in Araya," the National News Agency reported. The road was subsequently closed following the strike. This incident follows last week's attacks on the same route, where two vehicles were targeted, including one carrying Hezbollah munitions.

Israel's parliament passed a law allowing deportation of family members of Palestinian attackers to Gaza or other locations, targeting those who knew of or supported attacks. The law, which passed 61-41 and was backed by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party and far-right allies, applies to Palestinian citizens of Israel and east Jerusalem residents. Deportees would face 7 to 20 years of exile, likely challenging Israeli constitutional protections if brought before the Supreme Court.

Iran has called Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election an opportunity for the United States to reassess past mistakes.

"We have very bitter experiences with the policies and approaches of different US governments in the past," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA, adding Trump's win was a chance "to review previous wrong policies"

During his initial presidency, Trump endeavoured to transform Middle Eastern dynamics by fostering relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Current attention focuses on his potential involvement in ongoing regional conflicts: the Israel-Hamas situation in Gaza, Israel-Hezbollah tensions in Lebanon, and dealings with Iran, which supports both militant organisations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Trump's electoral victory as "history's greatest comeback."

"Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!" he shared on social media.

The relationship between Trump and Netanyahu, both conservative nationalists, was close during Trump's presidency. However, their association deteriorated when Netanyahu acknowledged President Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.

Netanyahu's close advisers anticipate Trump will grant Israel autonomy in addressing security threats, though Trump's actions remain uncertain. Additionally, Netanyahu faces domestic challenges. On Tuesday, he dismissed the well-regarded Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, triggering nationwide demonstrations.
Hamas released a brief statement indicating, "Our position on the new U.S. administration depends on its positions and practical behavior towards our Palestinian people, their legitimate rights and their just cause."

Israeli forces have launched artillery shelling in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. The specific target of the attack remains unclear, and no casualties have been reported yet. Meanwhile, in central Gaza, Israeli military vehicles reportedly opened fire in the Bureij refugee camp, as reported by the Palestinian Information Center. Further details on the incidents have not been provided.

An Israeli strike has resulted in the death of Abu Haider Narallah, the uncle of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, according to the organisation's announcement.
The movement disclosed via social media that Abu Haider Narallah and his family members perished in an attack that targeted Bazouriyeh, situated in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon.

The announcement was brief, confirming the casualties of both the uncle and his family members, as per Al Jazeera reports.

Hassan Nasrallah, who was 64 years old, had previously lost his life in an Israeli strike in September, following his 32-year tenure as the group's leader.
Following Nasrallah's death, Naim Qassem, who served as the deputy leader, assumed the position of Hezbollah Secretary-General.

Israel's Foreign Minister extended his congratulations to Donald Trump on Wednesday regarding his election "victory" whilst emphasising their shared commitment against their primary adversary, Iran.

"Congratulations to President-elect @realDonald Trump on his historic victory. Together, we'll strengthen the US-Israel alliance, bring back the hostages, and stand firm to defeat the axis of evil led by Iran," wrote Israel Katz on X, following his appointment as defence minister on Tuesday evening.

Israel launched airstrikes on south Beirut early Thursday, soon after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US president-elect Donald Trump discussed the "Iranian threat." Following their call, Israel struck Hezbollah’s main base in Beirut, with evacuation orders issued beforehand. Lebanese officials reported 40 deaths in the eastern Bekaa Valley from Israeli strikes a day earlier.

Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, warned Israel, revealing they possess Iran-made missiles with extended range. The conflict has intensified since September, with over 3,000 casualties in Lebanon. Trump’s return could strengthen Israel-US ties, though experts are cautious about his stance on Palestinian issues.

Israeli border police personnel fired at an individual who allegedly tried to conduct a vehicular assault in Anata, an occupied West Bank locality situated near Jerusalem.

The officers discharged their weapons and stopped the suspect after the individual reportedly disregarded instructions to halt and drove the vehicle at increased speed towards the police personnel.

The officers emerged unharmed from the incident. Details about the suspect's medical status remain unavailable at present, according to Al Jazeerah reports.

In the town of Barja, south of Beirut, Lebanese rescuers worked urgently to find survivors trapped under the rubble of a collapsed apartment building following an Israeli strike on Tuesday that killed 20 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Resident Moussa Zahran, injured and with family members in the hospital, described the devastation as he searched through the remains of his home. There had been no evacuation warning before the air raid. Meanwhile, Hezbollah responded by firing missiles toward an Israeli base near Ben Gurion Airport, as Israel reported intercepting additional projectiles from Lebanon.

Amid escalating tensions, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem indicated a potential path for indirect negotiations with Israel if attacks cease, to be mediated through the Lebanese government. His remarks come after US diplomatic attempts to broker a 60-day ceasefire faltered, coinciding with Donald Trump’s election win. At least four strikes were reported in Lebanon on Thursday, with no immediate details on casualties or targets.

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, has called on the international community to stop Israel from banning the agency (UNRWA) in the Palestinian territories, warning of severe consequences for millions in Gaza who rely on it for aid. Israel’s parliament passed laws prohibiting UNRWA’s operations, set to take effect within 90 days. UN leaders, including Assembly President Philemon Yang, condemned the move, urging Israel to uphold international law. Israel, however, accuses UNRWA of supporting Hamas, which the agency denies, asserting it acts to prevent militant ties among its staff.

The Israeli military strikes in eastern Lebanon, including the historic city of Baalbek on Wednesday, resulted in 40 fatalities, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Search and rescue operations continue as teams look for survivors beneath the debris.

The ministry issued a preliminary report stating that the "series of Israeli enemy strikes on the Bekaa Valley and Baalbek" caused "40 people and injured 53." The casualties included 11 deaths in Baalbek city and 16 fatalities in the village of Nasriyah.

Health Minister Firass Abiad told AFP on Wednesday more than 2,600 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since Israel launched intense air strikes on Lebanon more than a month ago.

"More than 2,600 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon since September 23," Abiad told AFP, adding that the most of those who died were civilians.

The UN's aid agency for Palestinians is facing its "darkest hour," its chief said Wednesday as he implored member states to defend it against an Israeli decision to cut ties.

"Without intervention by member states, UNRWA will collapse, plunging millions of Palestinians into chaos," the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, told the UN General Assembly, calling for the body -- which created UNRWA in 1949 -- to prevent implementation of the Israeli ban.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Donald Trump on Wednesday after his stunning US election victory and discussed the "Iranian threat" to Israel's security, his office said.

"The conversation was warm and cordial. The prime minister congratulated Trump on his election victory, and the two agreed to work together for Israel's security. The two also discussed the Iranian threat," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

The Iraqi government's Council for National Security said on Wednesday that reports about Iraqi territory being used by Iran for attacks on Israel are "false pretexts" aimed at justifying aggression against it, the military said.

Iraqi military spokesperson Yahya Rasool's comments came in response to an Oct. 31 Axios report citing Israeli intelligence about a potential Iranian attack from Iraqi territory.

The Israeli military said Wednesday it had intercepted a projectile that was fired from central Gaza into southern Israel.
"A short while ago, the IAF (air force) intercepted a projectile that crossed from the central Gaza Strip into the area of Kissufim in southern Israel. Sirens sounded in accordance with protocol," the military said in a statement.

Lebanon filed a complaint against Israel at the U.N.’s labor organization over the string of deadly attacks involving exploding pagers, saying workers were among those killed and injured, a Lebanese government minister said Wednesday.

The wave of remotely triggered explosions that hit pagers and walkie-talkies carried by Hezbollah members in mid-September were widely blamed on Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. The blasts which went off in grocery stores, homes and on streets killed at least 37 people, including two children, and wounded around 3,000 people, according to Lebanese authorities, deeply unsettling even Lebanese who have no Hezbollah affiliation.