The signal is being seen in Washington as a sign of restraint after concerns that an Israeli strike on oil or nuclear facilities could trigger a wider war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the United States that Israel is willing to strike Iranian military targets and not nuclear or oil ones, the Washington Post reported on Monday, citing two officials familiar with the matter.

An Israeli strike on the northern region of Aitou killed at least 18 people, the Lebanese Red Cross said. It's the first time the region has been hit, according to local media. Meanwhile, the UK has announced sanctions against several Iranian senior military figures and organisations.

During his first term as president, Donald Trump tested the limits of how he could use the military to achieve policy goals.

After referring to his American opponents as "scum," the Republican candidate suggested possibly using the military to respond to "the enemy from within."

Former President Donald Trump said that “if really necessary” the military should be called for “some sick people, radical-left lunatics,” when asked about if he is expecting chaos on Election Day in an interview Sunday with Maria Bartiromo.

Taiwan has condemned the latest round of Chinese military drills around the island as an “unreasonable provocation” after Beijing deployed warships and fighter jets as a “stern warning” to “separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces.

Britain said on Monday it was concerned by China's military exercises around Taiwan and said they increased tensions and risked "dangerous escalation" in the Taiwan Strait. "We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo

The Chinese military said the exercises, which will simulate strikes on land and at sea, would serve as “a stern warning” to “Taiwan independence forces.”

Jabalia has been the focus of an Israeli military offensive for around 10 days. The military completed the encirclement of the historic refugee camp and has sent tanks into the ne

At least 10 people were killed and 40 more wounded in an Israeli attack on northern Gaza when queuing for food at a UN distribution facility, according to unconfirmed reports from eyewitnesses. Eyewitnesses told dpa by phone that the line at the distribution centre operated by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jabalia was hit by Israeli grenades.