Netanyahu to meet U.S. envoys amid lingering Gaza tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet on Saturday evening with U.S. special envoy for Middle East affairs Steve Witkoff and other American officials to discuss several pressing matters, Israeli media reported citing informed sources.

Key topics on the agenda reportedly include the return of the body of the last remaining Israeli hostage and efforts to dismantle Hamas' military capabilities.

Witkoff is expected to be accompanied by Jared Kushner, White House senior adviser, with both expected to meet Netanyahu during their stay.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Brad Cooper is also expected to arrive in Israel on Saturday. According to reports, this marks his first visit to the country since September last year.

Meanwhile, the Israeli cabinet is scheduled to hold a key meeting on Sunday, focusing on the current situation in Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that it had completed a military operation in Hebron in the southern West Bank on Thursday. According to the IDF statement, 14 Palestinians suspected of terrorist activity were detained during the operation, which began on Monday morning.

The IDF said the aim of the Hebron campaign was to "disrupt terrorist infrastructure, confiscate illegal weapons, and strengthen regional security." Over 350 buildings were searched and eight firearms seized during the raids.

Netanyahu to meet U.S. envoys amid lingering Gaza tensions

Russia said on Saturday that it carried out a large-scale strike against Ukraine early Saturday morning and controlled another settlement in the Kharkov Region over the past day, while Ukraine said it repelled Russian attacks in multiple directions.

Russian long-range precision missiles and attack drones hit a Ukrainian plant manufacturing drones and energy facilities servicing Ukraine's military-industrial complex during the past 24 hours, and Russia's operational-tactical aircraft, missile troops and artillery units struck 157 targets, including long-range drone storage sites and operator training facilities, as well as temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It added that air defense systems shot down 137 fixed-wing drones.

Russian forces controlled the town of Staritsa in Kharkov Region over the past day, the ministry said.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Saturday reported 136 combat engagements on the frontline, where Ukrainian troops repelled Russian offensives in multiple directions.

The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russian forces implemented a large-scale air strike against Ukraine from Friday evening to early Saturday morning.

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the large-scale strike caused damage to critical infrastructures in the city.

Russia carries out large-scale strike, Ukraine repels attacks in multiple directions