The IDF operated throughout the Gaza Strip and West Bank on Wednesday night, according to reports in Israeli and Palestinian media.Israeli media reported that violent clashes had broken out in multiple villages in the West Bank, including Al-Farah south of Tubas and Tal south of Nablus. The IDF was also reported to be operating in Kalandiya, north of Jerusalem.Palestinian media reported that the IDF was operating in Rafah and Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night.

Following a situational assessment by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, the IDF announced that as of 18:00 Israel time Wednesday, changes will be made to the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines.As part of the changes, it was decided that in some of the specified communities near the Gaza Strip, educational activities could be held without restrictions, gatherings would be limited to 1,000 people, and workplaces and essential economic activities could proceed without restriction. However, in several communities, restrictions for these activities will remain in place.The changes in the Home Front Command's defensive guidelines are intended to ease restrictions on the home front in accordance with the operational situational assessment. They will allow the reinforcement of agriculture, economy, and education alongside the preservation of human life, the IDF said.The full changes can be found here.

The White House for the first time on Thursday addressed the IDF's announcement from earlier this week that it has approved operational plans for an offensive with Lebanon, repeating its cautious tone against Israel opening a second front of hostilities. "Amos Hochstein has been in the region the last few days, shuttling back and forth between Tel Aviv and Beirut to have these exact conversations," National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters on Thursday. Obviously, Kirby said, we take potentials in the rhetoric seriously by both sides. "And we're doing everything we can to try to prevent that outcome," he added.