Israeli army spokesperson says he has "a plan to change the security situation" on the border with Lebanon: Day 37 of the Israel-Hamas war

Thank you for joining our LIVE coverage from day 37 of the Israel-Hamas war. We will be back tomorrow with more news updates.

BREAKING: Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari told Israeli television that the army had "a plan to change the security situation in the north," adding that "the Lebanese will pay the price."

According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, 18 Israeli soldiers and civilians were wounded today by anti-tank missile and shells, in two incidents in northern Israel, not far from the border with Lebanon.

The correspondent for Hezbollah's Al-Manar reported that seven soldiers were wounded in Manara, in an attack claimed by Hezbollah this morning, and 10 people were wounded in Doviv, in an attack by the party on a bulldozer belonging to the Israeli army, without specifying whether they were soldiers or civilians.

AFP reported that 10 people, including an octogenarian, were wounded on Sunday by an anti-tank missile that fell in the north of Israel.

Israeli fire has killed at least 70 Hezbollah fighters since the start of hostilities, according to an AFP count based on statements by the party.

This evening, Hezbollah announced the death of one of its fighters, Jawad al-Bazzal, from the village of Bazzaliyeh in Bekaa.

Patients "are on the streets without care" after the "forced evacuations" of two pediatric hospitals, Mohammed Zaqout, director of hospitals in the Gaza Strip, told AFP on Sunday.

The Israeli army had said it "secured" passages for civilians.

"The forced evacuations of the al-Nasr and al-Rantisi pediatric hospitals have left patients in the streets without care" in Gaza City, Zaqout said, adding that he had "totally lost contact" with the medical team at these two hospitals.

In an interview with NBC News today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the possibility of a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

However, he refrained from providing further details: "The less I say on the subject, the more I increase the chances of materializing it," he declared, adding that things were progressing thanks to Israeli military pressure on Hamas leaders.

Late in the afternoon, a Palestinian official told Reuters that Hamas had suspended negotiations on the hostages because of the Israeli army's military intervention at al-Shifa hospital. Asked about this, Netanyahu said that his army had offered fuel to the hospital, which had suspended its activities after running out of the product, but that Hamas militants refused.

The Israeli army said it was ready to evacuate the babies in incubators from al-Shifa on Sunday. But according to Palestinian officials, those inside the facility are still trapped, while three newborns have died and dozens more are threatened by a power failure as fighting rages near the hospital.

"Hamas, which hides in hospitals and settles in them, does not want fuel for the hospital ... it wants to get fuel that it will transport from the hospitals to its tunnels, to its war machine," Netanyahu said in this interview.

Hamas denies Israeli allegations that it has command posts under al-Shifa and other Gaza hospitals, and had no immediate comment on Netanyahu's remarks.

The Israeli army's Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraee, accused the correspondent of Al-Manar channel (close to Hezbollah), Ali Shoeib, of being a "liar" on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday.

Shoeib claimed in a post on X (formerly Twitter), with supporting photos, that it was Israeli soldiers who were hit during a Hezbollah attack on a bulldozer belonging to the Israeli army near the Doviv barracks on Sunday, not civilians. 

"Lying is your only method. The workers in this area were also wearing helmets because of the security tensions," said Adraee.

According to a Hezbollah statement issued on Sunday morning, the bulldozer targeted was destroyed, and the members of the team responsible for operating it were killed, as were some of the Israeli soldiers stationed around it.

The Israeli army reported that "a number of civilians were injured," while the Israel Electric Corporation stressed that the missile had "hit employees" repairing power lines damaged by other recent strikes in the area, according to AFP.

Hamas's military wing al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the bombing of northern Haifa, Shlomi and Nahariya in northern Israel with several concentrated missiles in response to "the occupation's massacres and aggression" against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Hamas's military wing al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the bombing of northern Haifa, Shlomi and Nahariya in northern Israel with several concentrated missiles in response to "the occupation's massacres and aggression" against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Hamas's military wing al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for the bombing of northern Haifa, Shlomi and Nahariya in northern Israel with several concentrated missiles in response to "the occupation's massacres and aggression" against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Rockets were fired from the western sector of southern Lebanon towards Israel, according to state-run National News Agency (NNA) and Al-Manar's correspondent.

NNA also reported that Israel's artillery targeted the town of Labbouneh in Sour and that sirens sounded at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) center in Naqoura.

Hamas is suspending negotiations on the hostages, due to the Israeli army's military intervention at al-Shifa hospital, a Palestinian official briefed on the matter told Reuters.

Weekend recap

• The exchange of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli army has intensified at the border since this morning.

• Israel accused Hezbollah of an attack that hit Israeli civilians, wounding several, including one in critical condition.

• Approximately 500 foreigners and dual nationals, as well as wounded Palestinians, were evacuated on Sunday from the Gaza Strip to Egypt via the Rafah crossing point.

• Caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Hezbollah is showing "patriotism."

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants "something other" than the Palestinian Authority to run the Gaza Strip after the war.

• "The Lebanese front will remain a pressure front," declared Hassan Nasrallah in his speech on Saturday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday called for pressure on the United States to halt Israel's offensive on Gaza, while stressing that there would be no agreement until Washington considered the territory Palestinian land, according to AFP.

"We should discuss with Egypt and the Gulf countries and put pressure on the United States," Erdogan told Turkish journalists aboard his flight back from the Riyadh summit, reported AFP.

Approximately 500 foreigners and dual nationals, as well as wounded Palestinians, were evacuated on Sunday from Gaza to Egypt through the Rafah crossing point, according to information from both sides of the border, reported AFP.

"Five hundred foreign passport holders from 15 different countries entered Egypt," an Egyptian security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The AlQahera News channel, which is close to the Egyptian intelligence services, reported that "seven wounded Palestinians" had also been allowed to cross through the crossing point, which was closed on Friday and Saturday.

Latest updates from southern Lebanon:

Israeli warplanes attacked the outskirts of the town Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil district), residents told our correspondent in the south.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting a gathering of Israeli people in Ruwaisat Al-Asi at 2:15 p.m. and "achieved confirmed casualties."

The party claimed another attack that targeted the Israeli Zarit barracks with artillery shells at 2:30 p.m.

Israeli war planes carried out a series of raids, residents told our correspondent in the south.

So far, there has been a raid between the western side of Marjayoun and the Mahmoudiyah farm, another raid on a hill located in the east of Nabatieh Fawqa and a third one the outskirts of Yarine in Sour.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said today that "Hezbollah is showing a lot of patriotism," in an interview with the Qatari channel Al Jazeera.

"I am reassured by Hezbollah's wisdom ... We are maintaining our restraint. Israel must stop its continuous provocations in southern Lebanon. I call on Arab countries, especially those with relations with Israel, to exert pressure to stop these provocations," he said.

"We will do nothing that could fuel more conflict in the region," said Mikati.

"We hope that contacts will help stop Israeli fire in southern Lebanon. It's important for us to keep our country away from war. We have put in place a three-month contingency plan, in case there is war in Lebanon," he added.

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi said from Bkerki that he adopted "the content of the Riyadh summit declaration."

He also called on Arab and Islamic countries to implement the decisions of the summit, which was held yesterday in the Saudi capital as an emergency meeting between the countries of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Rahi also condemned the "savage war of extermination" in Gaza and called for a two-state solution.

Hezbollah has issued another statement, this time claiming responsibility for a guided-missile attack on a bulldozer belonging to the Israeli army near the Doviv barracks at 12:35 p.m.

According to the party's statement, the bulldozer was destroyed and its crew killed. It adds that the attack also inflicted casualties among soldiers in the vicinity of the bulldozer.

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted a logistical force belonging to the Israeli army near the Doviv Barracks at 12:25 p.m. today. Hezbollah said the logistical force was about to install transmission poles and spying devices at the time of the attack. The party also claimed that it inflicted casualties in the attack.

At least two houses have been hit by Israeli shelling in Yaroun, one of which caught fire, causing parts of its walls to collapse, residents told our correspondent in south Lebanon. The people living in the house had moved out a few days ago, our correspondent added.

Al Jadeed also reported that a house was severely damaged in the town.

The outskirts of the town of Mays al-Jabal are being subjected to artillery shelling, including both phosphorus shells and regular shells, the mayor of the town, Abdel Moneim Shuqair, told our correspondent in the south.

"Until now we do not know if the shelling has resulted in injuries. The severity of the shelling prevents us from moving," he added.

According to him, more than 30 shells have been fired so far, and the bombing is ongoing.

Al-Manar's correspondent also reported that Israel is bombing the outskirts of Blida and Mays al-Jabal (Marjayoun district) with phosphorus weapons.

Meanwhile, Israel's artillery targeted areas between the towns of Shihin and Umm al-Tout and the outskirts of Marwahin (Sour district). This came after an attack targeted the Israeli site of Birkat Risha, which is opposite the town of Boustane, according to a security source, who spoke with our correspondent in the south, and Al-Manar's correspondent.

A first group of Gaza evacuees has crossed the Rafah border into Egypt following the re-opening of the crossing today, Reuters reports, citing Egyptian security sources. Click here for more.

Image: Palestinian passport control policemen affiliated with Hamas check travelers' documents at the terminal on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 12, 2023, before they are allowed to cross to the Egyptian side amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Credit: Mohammed Abed/AFP)

Image: Israeli military vehicles take position amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Hamas, in the Gaza Strip as seen in a handout picture released by the Israeli army on Nov. 12, 2023. (Credit: Israeli army/Handout via Reuters)

Civilians were wounded by an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon into the Upper Galilee, Haaretz reports, citing the Israeli army. Citing MDA Emergency Medical Services, Haaretz added that one civilian is in critical condition and others are seriously wounded as a result of the attack.

Meanwhile, the bombing of the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and Yaroun (Bint Jbeil district) resumed, security sources told our correspondent in south Lebanon.

Al Manar's correspondent reported that a fire broke out at the Israeli "Doviv" barracks on the border with southern Lebanon after it was targeted by guided missiles. The correspondent added that a missile was launched towards a military target in Yifthah (an Israeli kibbutz) opposite the town of Blida (Marjayoun district).

At the same time, the state-run National News Agency reported that Israel carried out a raid near Marwahin (Sour district).

The hills of Halta (Hasbaya District) are currently being targeted by Israeli artillery shelling, a security source told our correspondent in the south.

In addition, the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, Bayt Lif and Ramiyah (Bint Jbeil district) were exposed to Israeli bombing around an hour ago, according to residents.

When contacted by L'Orient Today another security source could not confirm these bombings. Hezbollah was not immediately available for comment.

An Israeli drone also fired an air-to-surface missile at a coffee shop in the town of Kfarkila without causing injuries, a security source told our correspondent in the south.

The coffee shop was bombed yesterday evening for a second time with artillery shells. The shop has been closed since some time ago.

A UNIFIL peacekeeper was hit by a bullet in south Lebanon overnight, the UN peacekeeping force announced this morning. 

"One peacekeeper was hit by a bullet and underwent surgery" after peacekeepers at a UNIFIL position near al-Qawzah reported hearing gunfire nearby shortly after midnight last night, a statement from UNIFIL reads.

"He is recovering and currently stable," the statement adds.

The peacekeeping mission also said that the "origin of the fire is currently unknown" and that an investigation into the incident has been launched.

A Hamas health official said this morning that an Israeli airstrike destroyed the cardiac ward of Gaza's al-Shifa hospital, as fighting around the facility raged. Click here for more.

Thirteen Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli strike on a house in Khan Younis, health officials in Gaza said today, according to Reuters.

In a second statement published within minutes on Telegram, Hamas denounced the "lies perpetrated" by the Israeli army to conceal its "failures" and "crimes" committed against civilian populations, referring specifically to bombardments that targeted several hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas specifically cites hospitals: al-Shifa, al-Nasr, al-Rantisi, al-Quds and the Indonesian hospital. It also calls on the UN and international organizations to visit the sites to see for themselves the reality on the ground, and to "protect" these facilities.

On Saturday evening, the Israeli army had denied targeting al-Shifa hospital, Gaza's largest, calling reports that its troops were "encircling and striking" the facility "false."

The UN says there are "significant" deaths in a strike on one of its Gaza compounds, AFP reports.

The United Nations said several people have been killed and wounded in strikes on a UN facility in Gaza City, where hundreds of Palestinians have taken refuge to escape the war.

"The shelling has reportedly resulted in a significant number of deaths and injuries," the United Nations Development Programme said in a statement issued late Saturday.

Sporadic fire continues near the border between south Lebanon and Israel, according to our correspondent in the region, Muntasser Abdallah.

Citing security sources and local eyewitnesses, he reports that Israeli artillery fire has targeted the vicinity of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya) and Chihine (Sour) several times in the last hour.

The Israeli army and Hezbollah have made no announcements confirming these latest strikes. According to Haaretz, sirens sounded in northern Israel at the time of the fire reported by our correspondent.

Sporadic fire continues near the border between south Lebanon and Israel, according to our correspondent in the region, Muntasser Abdallah.

Citing security sources and local eyewitnesses, he reports that Israeli artillery fire has targeted the vicinity of Kfar Shuba (Hasbaya) and Chihine (Sour) several times in the last hour.

The Israeli army and Hezbollah have made no announcements confirming these latest strikes. According to Haaretz, sirens sounded in northern Israel at the time of the fire reported by our correspondent.

The Hezbollah press office has announced the death of another of the party's fighters, Hussein Ali Harb, originally from the town of Sohmor, in the Bekaa Valley.

As usual, Hezbollah does not specify where and when Harb was killed.

The total number of Hezbollah fighters killed since the start of fighting in south Lebanon on Oct. 8 now stands at 74, according to our count.

Image: Relatives mourn over the bodies of loved ones killed during overnight strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, at Al-Najjar hospital on Nov. 12, 2023. (Credit: Said Khatib/AFP)

The Israeli army announced this morning it had carried out operations targeting Hamas positions in the al-Shati refugee camp, in the north of the Gaza Strip, according to an army spokesperson cited by Haaretz.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday during a televised address that he wanted "something other than the Palestinian Authority," currently chaired by Mahmoud Abbas, to rule the Gaza Strip when the war between Hamas and Israel is over. Click here for more.

Israeli warplanes early this morning struck “terrorist infrastructure” in Syria, the Israeli army has announced. More details here.

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed alarm early this morning at having " lost contact" with his interlocutors at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, the largest hospital in the territory and subject to “repeated attacks.”

“WHO is gravely concerned about the safety of health workers, hundreds of sick and injured patients, including babies on life support, and displaced people who remain inside the hospital,” he said via the social media platform X.

Strikes took place again last night and this morning in several areas on the border between south Lebanon and Israel, according to our correspondent in the region Muntasser Abdallah.

Citing security sources, our correspondent says "seven shells" fell around 8 a.m. this morning in the vicinity of the town of Aita al-Shaab (Bint Jbeil) without causing any casualties.

Good morning,

Thank you for joining us this morning for live coverage of events related to the war between Israel and Hamas, which enters its sixth week today.