Israeli troops have advanced deeper into Lebanon, marking the furthest penetration since the onset of the conflict six weeks ago. Recent airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least six Lebanese individuals, including children, with additional casualties reported among medics in southern Beirut. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) assert that these strikes are aimed at dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure. Displaced residents are now sifting through the rubble of their homes, grappling with the loss of personal belongings and memories.

In a separate incident, an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip has claimed the lives of at least ten individuals sheltering in a school repurposed for displaced families. Gazan health officials report ongoing rescue operations to locate survivors trapped beneath the debris.

In other news, a patient in California is being treated for a new, more severe variant of MPOX, first identified in Eastern Congo. The California Department of Public Health confirmed that the patient had recently traveled to Eastern Africa, but reassured the public that the risk remains low.

Meanwhile, President-elect Trump is advancing his cabinet appointments, naming Chris Wright, a fossil fuel executive and campaign donor, to lead the Department of Energy. Additionally, Trump has appointed Caroline Levitt as his White House press secretary, making her the youngest and first Generation Z individual to assume the role.