Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the activities of U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, near the border, are of "great importance" and that the force could play a vital role when the war with Hezbollah ends.

"Israel places great importance on the activities of UNIFIL and has no intention of harming the organization or its personnel," said Katz in a statement posted on X, adding: "Israel views UNIFIL as playing an important role in the 'day after' following the war against Hezbollah".

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday that any negotiations to end fighting in Lebanon must be conducted “under fire,” during a situational assessment on the northern front.

Meeting with commanders of the reservist 146th Division, Gallant said the recent capture of Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon proves the Israeli army's "success and Hezbollah's predicament," according to a Defense Ministry statement.

By Jasmin Lilian Diab, Lebanese American University

The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah since September 2024, and Israel's bombing of civilian areas across Lebanon, have unleashed a profound humanitarian disaster.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday said they "will not hesitate to support" regional allies in the conflict against Israel.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ... will not hesitate to support the Islamic resistance decisively ... in bravely standing up against this fake regime (Israel)," the Guards said in a statement published by their official Sepah news agency.

French President Emmanuel Macron has held contacts with both caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker Nabih Berri, as well as with the Iranian president and the Saudi crown prince, to push for a “solution” in Lebanon, regardless whether it starts with electing a president or a ceasefire, al-Jadeed TV said.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday called for more pressure on Israel's backers to end the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

"The president... demanded more pressure on the supporters of the Zionist regime (Israel) to stop the killings" in Gaza and Lebanon, Pezeshkian said during a phone call with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, according to a presidency statement.

Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli army tank near a border village with a guided missile on Wednesday, as attacks escalated after Israel intensified bombing of the country last month.

Hezbollah fighters "targeted a Merkava tank near the village of Ramia... with a guided missile", the group said in a statement, adding the attack was "in defense of Lebanon and its people".

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has lamented that “the Americans are still endorsing the Israeli stance until the end, despite U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s diplomatic tone.”

Higher Islamic Shiite Council deputy head Sheikh Ali al-Khatib on Wednesday agreed that a “consensual president” must be elected for the country so that all Lebanese can support him in addressing the “heavy burden” of the ongoing Israeli war.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 3 people in the southern town of Qana, which has long been associated with civilian deaths after Israeli strikes during previous conflicts with Hezbollah.

The Health Ministry said 54 people were wounded in the strike and that rescue efforts were still underway.