Netanyahu congratulates Trump in 'warm and cordial' phone call | IDF strikes back after heavy rocket fire from Lebanon targets central Israel

18:57 - Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulates President-elect Trump in 'warm and cordial' phone call

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his election win in a phone call, his office stated. Netanyahu was among the first to call him.

"Their conversation was warm and cordial. The Prime Minister congratulated President-elect Trump on his election victory. The two agreed to work together for Israel's security, and also discussed the Iranian threat."

18:46 - IDF pummels Hezbollah's Beirut stronghold after heavy rocket fire against Israel

The Israeli Air Force struck a series of targets belonging to Hezbollah in its Dahiyeh stronghold in Beirut, after the terror group launched heavy rocket barrages toward central and northern Israel throughout the day.

The IDF said it struck "headquarters, weapons depots and military infrastructures."

"The targets that were attacked were set up by Hezbollah in the heart of a civilian population. This is another example of Hezbollah's exploitation of Lebanese citizens as human shields. Before the attack, many steps were taken to reduce the chance of harming civilians, which include the use of precision weapons, observation devices and advance warnings to the population in the area."

לפני זמן קצר, מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר בהכוונה מודיענית של אגף המודיעין תקפו במרחב הדאחיה בביירות מפקדות, מחסני אמצעי לחימה ותשתיות צבאיות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה>> pic.twitter.com/vbWBCDdQ79

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) November 6, 2024

18:25 - 25 rockets target Haifa Bay area, hostile drone shot down in Western Galilee

Hezbollah fired around 25 rockets at the Haifa Bay area, including suburbs of Haifa, the town of Acre, and several nearby towns. The IDF said it shot down some of the rockets, while others fell in open areas.

In addition, a hostile drone was shot down after alarm sirens were activated in Nahariya and nearby towns along the coast.

🚨 ✈️ Hostile Aircraft Intrusion, Rocket Alert [18:19:04] - 9 Alerts:

• Confrontation Line — Gesher HaZiv, Milouot Industrial Zone North, Nahariya, Rosh HaNikra, Sa'ar, Lehman, Betzet, Betzet Beach, Ben Ami

Population: 74,000 pic.twitter.com/m6dJBrrLRw

— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) November 6, 2024

13:53 - IDF shoots down hostile drone launched from Iraq

The Israeli Air Force shot down a hostile drone launched "from the east," the IDF's code for drones that are launched by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

The IDF noted that the drone was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.

12:54 - Kindergarten in central Israel hit by rocket shrapnel in earlier attack, no casualties

Rocket parts hit a kindergarten in Kfar Habad during the large rocket attack on central Israel earlier, Ynet News reported.

Some parts penetrated the roof and ceiling of the building, but the children reached the shelter in time and remained unharmed.

11:59 - Rocket hit Ben Gurion Airport parking lot, no casualties or major damage

Following the large rocket barrage fired at central Israel by Hezbollah, the IDF confirmed that one rocket managed to evade defenses and impacted in Israeli territory

The rocket hit a parking lot within the area of Israel's Ben Gurion Airport but didn't cause major damage, according to media reports. Another shrapnel piece directly hit a parked car in the town of Ra'anana.

Debris from an intercepted rocket also directly struck a parked car in Ra'anana pic.twitter.com/KzxeO4BxjP

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) November 6, 2024

11:36 - IDF: Around 10 rockets fired from Lebanon, no reports of casualties

After alerts were activated across large swathes of central and northern Israel, the IDF confirmed that around 10 launches were identified crossing into Israel from Lebanon.

Some of the rockets were intercepted, the IDF said, adding that no casualties were known at the moment.

Interceptions are reported over central Israel following long-range rocket fire from Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/CC0KvCgA3X

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) November 6, 2024

11:23 - Rocket alerts activated across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, Hadera and Holon after firing from Lebanon

Rocket alarm sirens were triggered across most of central Israel, from the city of Hadera in the north to Holon in the south.

In addition, sirens sounded in areas near the Lebanese border, including Nahariya and Yarka.

The IDF confirmed that rockets were fired from Lebanon, without giving further details.

11:05 - Hamas official questions Trump's promise to end the war

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri on Wednesday said President-elect Donald Trump will be tested on his promise to stop the war within hours after resuming his role as U.S. President. 

“We urge Trump to learn from (President Joe) Biden's mistakes,” Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

10:48 - Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulates Trump

Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated President-elect Donald Trump in an official statement.

"Congratulations to President Donald Trump on your historic return to the White House. You are a true and dear friend of Israel, and a champion of peace and cooperation in our region," Herzog wrote on 𝕏.

"I look forward to working with you to strengthen the ironclad bond between our peoples, to build a future of peace and security for the Middle East, and to uphold our shared values."

"On behalf of the Jewish and democratic State of Israel, and all our people, I wish you much success."

10:36 - Netanyahu congratulates Trump on 'history’s greatest comeback'

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the next U.S. president, Donald Trump, in an official statement.

"Dear Donald and Melania Trump, Congratulations on 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! In true friendship, yours, Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu."

09:25 - Trump affiliate says new president will seek nuclear agreement with Iran, could visit Lebanon

If former President Donald Trump is elected, he will seek a new nuclear agreement with the Iranian regime as soon as possible, Massad Boulus, the Lebanese-born father-in-law of Trump's daughter Tiffany and his coordinator of relations with the Arab world told the Lebanese al-Jumhuriya newspaper.

When asked if Trump is expected to visit Lebanon if he wins the election, Boulus replied: "Everything is possible, we hope so. In his first term, Trump's first foreign visit was to an Arab country, and he met with Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia."

08:56 - IDF continues operations in Jenin, 2 terrorists killed after throwing IED at troops

IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police forces continue operations in the Jenin area. The IDF Spokesperson reported that two terrorists were killed after throwing IEDs at the troops.

It was also reported that yesterday the forces identified a suspicious vehicle accelerating towards them that hit a military vehicle. Two fighters were lightly wounded, receiving medical treatment at the scene. The soldiers fired on the vehicle, hitting the two terrorists inside, one of whom was wanted suspect Majdi Hamza Ahmad Shakira.

08:22 - Reports of heavy artillery shelling in al-Bureij and Nuseirat in Gaza Strip

Hezbollah-affiliated news site Al-Mayadeen reported heavy IDF artillery shelling in al-Bureij and Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip.

07:53 - Opposition party leaders to give joint address in Knesset following dismissal of DM Gallant

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, National Unity party chairman, Benny Gantz, Yisrael Beyteinu party chairman Avigdor Liberman, and Democrat party chairman Yair Golan will deliver a joint statement today at 11:45 a.m. at the Knesset. This marks the first time since the start of the war that all the heads of the Zionist parties in the opposition have convened a joint statement.

The statement takes place against the backdrop of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last night.

06:53 - IDF announces elimination of regional Hezbollah commander

The IDF spokesman's office announced that the IAF eliminated Hussain Abd Al-Haleem Harb, Hezbollah’s Khiam region Commander, in an airstrike. Harb was responsible for directing and executing many rocket attacks against communities in the Galilee, and against the area of Metula specifically.

06:34 - Palestinian sources report IDF raids in Jenin

According to reports on Palestinian social media accounts, the IDF is currently operating in the city of Jenin in northern Samaria.

06:15 - Sirens in Gaza Envelope determined to be a false alarm

06:05 - Sirens sound in Netiv HaAsara, a community near the Gaza Strip

05:21 - Gideon Sa'ar's daughter posts to social media - 'replace the whole government'

Alona Sa'ar, daughter of newly appointed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, spoke out on social media against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

In an Instagram post, she wrote: "If it is possible to replace a defense minister during wartime, then it is possible (and desirable) to replace the entire government, establish a commission of inquiry and return the hostages."

02:20 - Police confirm that around 40 protesters arrested in Tel Aviv demonstrations

Following claims by protest organizers that around 45 people had been arrested at the Tel Aviv demonstrations following Gallant's dismissal, Israel Police confirmed it had arrested around 40 people. Police also said they are working to clear the roads of debris left by demonstrators.

01:19 - Palestinian sources report IDF raids in Judea and Samaria

Palestinian news site Wafa, affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, reported IDF raids to arrest suspects in the town of Salfit, south of the Israeli settlement of Ariel in Samaria.

00:48 - Police clear Ayalon Highway after hours of protests following Gallant's dismissal

After hours of protests, police began to forcibly evacuate demonstrators from the Ayalon Highway following the dismissal of Yoav Gallant as defense minister. Dozens of demonstrators were arrested for failing to obey police instructions and disturbing the peace.