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Israel’s plan to respond to this month’s Iranian attack is ready, a source familiar with the matter told CNN — and US officials expect it to happen before the US presidential election, which is in less than three weeks. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have assured the US that the counterstrike would be limited to military targets rather than oil or nuclear facilities, according to a source.
• Israel is opposed to a “unilateral ceasefire” in its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, Netanyahu said. Hezbollah has called on Israelis to accept a ceasefire or face “pain,” suggesting it would ramp up attacks further south in Israel.
• Lebanese authorities say the number of Israeli attacks in Lebanon has passed 10,000. Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs for the first time in several days. And the mayor of a southern Lebanese city was killed in a strike on Wednesday, according to state media.
• Israel is reviewing a letter sent by the US that demands it act to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza within 30 days. The UN has warned that Israel is effectively sealing off northern Gaza and may be carrying out a “large-scale forced transfer” of civilians, which it said would amount to a war crime.