The Israeli military pressed operations around Gaza City on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump prepared to host a White House meeting on post-war plans for the shattered Palestinian territory.

Clashes during a raid in Iran's restive southeast killed at least 13 militants as well as a Revolutionary Guard, state media reported Wednesday.

Iran said Wednesday that the return of U.N. nuclear inspectors did not represent a full resumption of cooperation, which was suspended in the aftermath of June attacks by Israel and the United States.

Lebanese state media said U.S. envoy Tom Barrack cut short a visit to the south on Wednesday amid protests in two planned stops against U.S. pressure to disarm Hezbollah.

The official National News Agency (NNA) reported that Barrack arrived by helicopter at a Lebanese Army barracks in Marjayoun near the border, with soldiers deploying in the area.

U.S. envoy Tom Barrack told Lebanese journalists at a press conference at the country's presidential palace on Tuesday to "act civilized," sparking outcry and calls for an apology.

As journalists shouted questions after the U.S. delegation's meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Barrack stepped up to the podium in the packed room and said: "We're going to have a different set of rules... please be quiet for a moment."

A new U.N. draft text seen by AFP would extend the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission followed by its withdrawal by the end of 2027.

The force was first deployed in south Lebanon in 1978 and was expanded after the 2006 war.

Iran held talks on Tuesday with European powers, seeking to avert a sanctions snapback which they have threatened to impose under the moribund 2015 nuclear deal.

The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog has said a team of its inspectors are "back in Iran," the first to enter since Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities this year.

Israeli drone strikes killed six Syrian soldiers outside Damascus, state television reported Wednesday, updating the toll for attacks the previous day, which also saw a man killed in the south.

Catholic and Greek Orthodox priests and nuns will remain in Gaza City despite Israel's plan for a military takeover, the religious communities said in a joint statement on Tuesday.