Amid anticipation for the second appearance of Hezbollah's Secretary-General, and amidst ongoing security and military investigations into the heinous assassination of Saleh Al-Arouri, Hamas mourned the political deputy of its office in Beirut. This was marked by chants of Takbir and intense gunfire, two days after his death, along with six others, in an Israeli airstrike on the suburbs. On the ground, open confrontations continued at the southern Lebanese borders, witnessing an escalation in Israeli attacks and provocations towards resilient areas. The shelling targeted the outskirts of Khyam, the Al-Abarra area between Kafr Kila and Adaisseh, Ayta al-Sha'b, parts of Beit Lif, and Rameya, Marjayoun Plain, and Hamamsa Hill. In response, Hezbollah employed its appropriate missile arsenal, achieving precise hits, including targeting an Israeli army gathering near Shomera barracks and a newly established Israeli position around the Marj site...

In the context, Washington announced that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his French counterpart Catherine Colonna agreed to take positive steps to ease tensions in the West Bank and prevent the escalation of war in the Middle East after strikes in Lebanon and Iran. Consequently, the U.S. special envoy, Amos Hochstein, landed in Israel, planning to visit Lebanon later. Blinken, on the other hand, will depart today for an extensive tour covering five Arab countries, the West Bank, Turkey, Greece, and the previously announced destination, Israel. Among the topics for discussion are "immediate measures to significantly increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and prevent the expansion of the conflict."

Regionally, the Israeli criminal shelling persisted in Gaza, resulting in more casualties and injuries amid escalating regional tensions due to the ongoing war for nearly three months. The Israeli Defense Minister announced a shift to a new combat approach in the northern sector, involving attacks, tunnel destruction, and special operations, emphasizing the absence of civilian presence in the sector, with Palestinian authorities taking responsibility. The Israeli army reported strikes targeting "terrorists attempting to place an explosive device near soldiers" and a weapons depot affiliated with Hamas in Khan Yunis.

Sirens wailed, announcing the launch of rockets Thursday in Ashkelon, southern Israel, a city targeted by the Al-Quds Brigade, the Islamic Jihad Movement's military wing. Meanwhile, Hamas's Health Ministry reported dozens of citizens killed, including children and women, and others injured due to continuous Israeli aggression on Gaza, causing fires in the Deir al-Balah area and the Maghazi refugee camp.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait strongly condemned the statements of Israeli National Security and Finance Ministers regarding the displacement of Gaza's population, reoccupation of the Strip, and settlement construction.

In contrast, the UAE's Foreign Ministry rejected "all actions violating international legitimacy resolutions that threaten further escalation and destabilize the region." It called on the international community to "make efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza."

In Iran, national mourning prevailed after the attack that resulted in at least 84 deaths near the mausoleum of General Qassem Soleimani on the fourth anniversary of his assassination. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombings in the southern city of Kerman. The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned "this cowardly terrorist attack in Kerman," emphasizing the need to hold the perpetrators, organizers, funders, and sponsors of such heinous terrorist acts accountable.

In Iraq, a military leader and a member of an Iran-affiliated faction were killed in a "U.S. strike" targeting a Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters, according to the faction. Baghdad attributed responsibility to the international coalition against ISIS, led by Washington.

On another front, Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a surface-to-surface unmanned aerial vehicle loaded with explosives, which detonated in international shipping lanes on Thursday, marking the first use of such a weapon in months, as per a senior U.S. military official. This followed warnings from 12 countries, led by the United States, to the Houthi rebels in Yemen of unspecified consequences unless they immediately halted their attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

In Kuwait, its new Amir, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, assigned Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on Thursday to form a government in the wealthy oil-rich state facing successive political crises.

Internationally, the White House accused North Korea of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and missile launchers used in recent attacks on Ukraine, condemning the "concerning escalation." Meanwhile, the Russian region of Belgorod, adjacent to Ukraine, announced the continued closure of some schools beyond the scheduled winter break, following unprecedented shelling by Kiev's forces. Ukraine confirmed casualties in shelling across the country.

In another development, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to call for upcoming general elections in the second half of the current year.

Amidst Japan, the chances of finding survivors diminished as around 80 individuals remain missing three days after a violent earthquake struck the country in the new year, resulting in an initial death toll of 84.