Israel-Hamas War Day 249: What's happening in Gaza, Middle East?

The State Department announced in separate statements that US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with MK and National Unity Chair Benny Gantz and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid in Israel on Tuesday. 

Blinken, Lapid and Gantz discussed the proposal to achieve a hostage deal as part of a ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the release of all hostages and increase humanitarian aid throughout the territory.  

Approximately 15 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanese territory into Israel, with some successfully intercepted by the IDF and others falling into open areas, the IDF announced Tuesday. 

In response, Israel Air Force (IAF) fighter jets struck Hezbollah targets, including a launch post in the area of Aitaroun, and other infrastructure in the area of Meiss El Jabal. 

The IDF also stated that IDF aircraft struck a Hezbollah launch cell in the area of Deir Aames in southern Lebanon. 

The IDF operated in Kafr Dan in the Jenin governate and eliminated three terrorists, Israeli media reported on Tuesday. 

While operating, IDF soldiers were fired upon, so soldiers responded with fire, including from shoulder-fired missiles and an attack helicopter. 

Following the UN Security Council’s resolution calling for the adoption of the hostage and ceasefire deal presented by US President Joe Biden, an Israeli official said that the UN’s resolution does not contradict Israel's goals, KAN reported Tuesday.

An unnamed Israeli official was quoted saying, “Israel will not end the war before achieving all of its goals – the elimination of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas, the return of the hostages, and the promise that Gaza will no longer pose a threat.”

The IDF Aerial Defense Array intercepted a UAV that crossed from Lebanon into the Upper Galilee following the activation of sirens in northern Israel, the IDF announced on Tuesday.

Sirens were activated in the Arab al-Aramshe area in northern Israel due to fallen shrapnel from interception.

IDF sums up its operations in central Gazan camps, including killing over 100 terrorists, destroying numerous weapons, and detailing its cooperation in Operation Arnon, which led to the rescue of four hostages.

Noa Argamani and Almog Meir Jan, two of the four hostages rescued during Operation Arnon, got the all-clear to return to their homes after finishing the necessary medical check-ups.

IDF soldiers raided an explosives lab in the West Bank and destroyed over 80 explosive devices in an operation that lasted over 18 hours.

The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday that the civilian deaths in Gaza during the Israeli operation to secure the release of four hostages and terrorists holding them in densely populated areas could amount to war crimes.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he found Hamas's acceptance of the UNSC ceasefire resolution promising and that the burden is on Hamas to move forward with the deal.