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Gallant vows 'lethal, precise and surprising' strike on Iran

Israel's defense minister warned on Wednesday that the Israeli retaliation for a recent Iranian missile attack will be "lethal" and "surprising."

"Our strike will be lethal, precise and above all, surprising. They won't understand what happened and how. They will see the results," Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said during a speech to troops. "Whoever strikes us will be harmed and pay a price."

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Biden and Netanyahu hold their first conversation in weeks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held widely anticipated talks with U.S. President Joe Biden by telephone on Wednesday, the premier's office announced.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now in conversation with the President of the United States Joe Biden, at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

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Hamas meets Fatah in Cairo to discuss Gaza war

Hamas said on Wednesday it had begun meetings with rival Palestinian faction Fatah in Cairo to discuss the year-long war in the Gaza Strip and efforts towards national unity.

"A meeting has just commenced in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, between the delegations of the Hamas movement... and the Fatah movement," a Hamas statement read, adding that they were discussing "aggression on the Gaza Strip, the political and field developments, and to unify national efforts and ranks".

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As Israel plots to strike Iran, its choices range from symbolic to severe

Israel has promised to retaliate for Iran's massive missile attack last week. How it does so involves great risk, and could have major repercussions for the archenemies, the Middle East and the world.

Israel's options range from symbolic strikes on military targets to crippling attacks on Iran's vital oil industry or its secretive and heavily fortified nuclear program.

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At least 6 wounded in stabbing attack in northern Israel

At least six people were stabbed and wounded in northern Israel in what police say was a militant attack.

Police said the assailant stabbed people in multiple locations in the northern city of Hadera on Wednesday before fleeing on a motorbike. Police said they later shot and “neutralized” him, indicating he was killed. They did not provide the name or nationality of the assailant.

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Israeli strike kills policeman in Syria's Quneitra

Israeli bombardment on Wednesday killed a policeman in the south of Syria near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, state media said, the day after a deadly air strike on the capital.

Israel has repeatedly struck Syria throughout the civil war that started in 2011, but it has ramped these up in recent weeks as it also pounds Lebanon.

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Israeli offensive in northern Gaza kills and wounds dozens and threatens hospitals

A large-scale Israeli operation in northern Gaza has killed and wounded dozens of people and threatens to shut down three hospitals over a year into the war with Hamas, Palestinian officials and residents said Wednesday.

Heavy fighting is underway in Jabaliya, where Israeli forces carried out several major operations over the course of the war and then returned as militants regroup. The entire north, including Gaza City, has suffered heavy destruction and has been largely isolated by Israeli forces since late last year.

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Iran FM to Saudi for talks on Gaza and Lebanon

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks that were expected to cover efforts to end fighting between the Israeli military and Iran-backed groups in Gaza and Lebanon.

"I hope that these consultations can lead to better conditions for Palestine and Lebanon and establish peace in the region," Araghchi told Iranian state television upon his arrival in Riyadh.

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Biden and Netanyahu set to discuss Israel's attack on Iran

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to hold a crucial phone call on Wednesday morning with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel's plans to strike Iran, three U.S. officials told U.S. news portal Axios.

The call would be the first between Biden and Netanyahu in two tense months, and comes as Israel considers major attacks that could significantly escalate its regional war.

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UK's Lammy to press for ceasefires in Mideast visit

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned on Wednesday that countries "must not waver" as they work towards ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, as he visited two regional allies.

Lammy, who will hold talks with leaders in Bahrain and Jordan and meet UK armed forces personnel currently stationed in the Middle East, called the situation there "incredibly dangerous."

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