The war began when Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages. More than half the captives have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Israeli forces have rescued eight and recovered the remains of dozens more.

"This confrontation will not end with last night's limited actions and Iran's strikes will continue, and this action will be very painful and regrettable for the aggressors," Fars reported, citing senior military officials.

Thousands of activists from around the world are expected to descend on Egypt on Thursday for a “Global March to Gaza,” a movement aiming to break the Israeli blockade that has pushed the territory to the brink of famine.

Gaza activists from entering the country and sent them back to Germany, sources at Cairo airport said. The activists are part of a global protest campaign that plans to go to Egypt's Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian enclave.

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week.

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly backed a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with 149 countries including Germany voting in favour.

U.N. member nations have voted overwhelmingly to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and unrestricted access for the delivery of desperately needed food.

Their boat was intercepted on Monday as they attempted to break Israel's naval blockade on Gaza and deliver a symbolic amount of aid.

French doctor Baptiste André was one of 11 crew members aboard the Madleen, an aid boat that was recently seized by Israeli authorities as it attempted to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Despite feeling fear after the vessel was boarded by soldiers,

Six more activists from the Freedom Flotilla Gaza humanitarian aid mission aboard the Madleen boat were deported from Israel Thursday. They had sought to deliver aid to Gaza but were stopped by Israel's naval blockade.