Israel’s military launched new airstrikes in Gaza and southern Lebanon on Sunday, continuing its multi-front offensive against Hamas and Hezbollah.

In Gaza, at least 46 people were killed in Israeli air raids, the civil defense agency reported.

The deadliest attack took place in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, where 26 people, including women and children, were killed, and at least 59 others were trapped under rubble.

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Additional strikes targeted the Bureij refugee camp, the southern city of Rafah, and the Nuseirat camp, resulting in more casualties.

Since the conflict erupted more than 13 months ago, Gaza’s health ministry reports that 43,846 people have died, the majority of whom are civilians, according to the United Nations.

The war was ignited by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah’s stronghold near Beirut’s international airport, with plumes of smoke rising from the capital’s southern suburbs.

The strikes followed Israel’s warning for residents to evacuate.

Hezbollah responded with missile fire that set an Israeli tank ablaze in the village of Chamaa in southern Lebanon.

On the ground in Lebanon, the violence continues to escalate.

Israeli forces targeted the southern city of Tyre and areas near the Litani River, while the Lebanese health ministry reported that six people, including three children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Bekaa Valley.

Since September 23, Israel has intensified its bombing campaign in Lebanon, deploying ground troops and escalating air raids in response to Hezbollah’s support for Hamas.

The Israeli military has vowed to continue its offensive, stating that Hezbollah has “paid a big price” for its actions.

The latest Israeli casualties include a soldier killed during clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, bringing the total number of Israeli fatalities to 48.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire.

A UN-backed report issued on November 9 warned of imminent famine in northern Gaza, where food aid has been nearly cut off due to ongoing hostilities.

Israel has rejected accusations of war crimes, with its foreign ministry calling a recent Human Rights Watch report “completely false.” The United States also dismissed the claims, stating that allegations of genocide are “certainly unfounded.”

In Israel, police arrested three suspects after flares were shot near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home in Caesarea, while protests in Tel Aviv continue to demand that the government secure a deal for the release of hostages still held by Hamas.

The protests followed the suspension of Qatar’s mediation efforts last week, with the country urging both sides to show “seriousness” in negotiations.

As the violence drags on, both Gaza and southern Lebanon face mounting casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis, with little progress toward peace or a resolution in sight.

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, making her the youngest person to ever hold the role.

The New Hampshire native, who has been a prominent figure in Trump’s political orbit, is set to take on the high-stakes position as the administration’s chief spokesperson.

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“Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator,” Trump said in a statement. “I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium and help deliver our message to the American people.”

Leavitt has had a rapid rise in Republican politics since starting as a student assistant for Fox News during Trump’s 2016 campaign.

She later served as an assistant press secretary in the Trump White House, cementing her reputation as a skilled communicator and staunch advocate for the president’s “America First” policies.

Leavitt’s political career began while she was a student at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Tasked with assisting Fox News during a Republican primary debate in 2016, she became inspired to pursue a career in political communications.

A vocal conservative on campus, Leavitt gained attention for a student newspaper column defending Trump and opposing “identity politics.” In a podcast interview, she said, “I didn’t believe that the color of your skin or your gender can hold you back in this country. That’s the foundation of my conservative beliefs.”

After leaving the White House following Trump’s 2020 defeat, Leavitt ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022.

She then served as communications director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a key Trump ally and nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Leavitt was a key figure in Trump’s 2024 campaign, acting as a spokeswoman at rallies and court appearances.

Despite taking a brief maternity leave during the campaign, she remained a consistent presence, often clashing with what she called “fake news” media.

“There are a lot of journalists who aren’t interested in journalism anymore, and we deal with them every day,” she said during a Fox News podcast.

Her appointment signals Trump’s trust in her ability to manage the administration’s communication strategy as he returns to office.

Leavitt will step into a role marked by significant pressure, especially given Trump’s well-documented scrutiny of media coverage.

As the administration’s public face, she will be responsible for managing the White House’s messaging during what is expected to be a turbulent presidency.

According to Leavitt, Trump’s second term is poised to be different. “I think he is more wise about the ‘deep state,’ the establishment in Washington DC, and the lengths to which they were willing to go to derail his campaign and his success,” she said.

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to lead a newly announced federal efficiency initiative named the Department of Government Efficiency, or “Doge.”

Musk will partner with biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on the project, which aims to dramatically reduce government spending and streamline operations across federal agencies.

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Trump unveiled the initiative on Tuesday night, emphasizing his administration’s focus on dismantling what he called “entrenched bureaucracy” and curbing excess government regulations.

Musk and Ramaswamy will serve as external advisors, working with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to address inefficiencies across the federal government, which Trump says consumes $6.5 trillion annually.

“Our aim is to drive sweeping structural reform, cut wasteful spending, and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy,” Trump said in a press release.

“With Musk and Ramaswamy at the helm of the Doge initiative, we’ll take on inefficiency and make government work for the people.”

The Department of Government Efficiency is not a formal federal agency, as its establishment would require Congressional approval. Rather, Musk and Ramaswamy’s roles are advisory, allowing them to advocate for cost-cutting measures and structural changes across federal agencies.

Musk, who recently called for $2 trillion in federal spending reductions, has suggested eliminating several agencies that he argues have redundant functions.

Trump likened the Doge initiative to the Manhattan Project, describing it as a critical undertaking with the goal of overhauling government bureaucracy by July 4, 2026, to mark the United States’ 250th Independence Day anniversary.

“Reducing government size and creating an efficient federal system is the perfect gift to America on this milestone,” Trump said.

Musk expressed his support for the initiative, calling it “a necessary jolt to a bloated system.” He also took to his social media platform X, writing, “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!”

Ramaswamy echoed Trump’s sentiments, posting that the team “will not go gently.” Ramaswamy also announced he is stepping away from consideration for the Senate seat soon to be vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, signaling his commitment to the Doge project.

Trump’s announcement of the Doge initiative came alongside several high-profile cabinet picks.

Former Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe, who previously served as Trump’s director of national intelligence, has been nominated to lead the CIA.

Trump also named Fox News host and Iraq War veteran Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, a move that has raised eyebrows due to Hegseth’s limited government experience despite his vocal support of Trump’s policies.

Rounding out the national security appointments, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was nominated as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Since Trump’s election, Musk has been a prominent figure within his inner circle, spending considerable time with the President-elect at Trump’s estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Musk’s presence in the administration appears to have fueled a surge in the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, which Musk has long supported.

The Doge initiative’s proposed sweeping cuts have stirred debate.

While Musk and Ramaswamy have both advocated for significant workforce reductions and even the closure of major agencies like the Department of Education and FBI, it remains uncertain whether their vision will gain traction in Congress or among the public.