Israel appeared to intensify strikes in Gaza and Lebanon as its security Cabinet planned a meeting Sunday to discuss a potential attack on Iran.

Israeli strikes in northern Gaza killed scores of people this weekend, according to local officials, with the bloodshed in the enclave and continued attacks in Lebanon dimming hopes that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar might breathe new life into cease-fire talks that have been stalled for months.

Meanwhile, a drone strike launched Saturday toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in the town of Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv, threatened to further inflame hostilities in the region as Israel plans an attack on Iran in response to strikes launched over the assassinations of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

In an initial assessment, the Israel Defense Forces said the drone, which struck a nearby building, was launched from Lebanon. Netanyahu blamed “Iran’s proxy Hezbollah” on X for the attack, which he described as an assassination attempt, saying any actors who try to harm other citizens of Israel “will pay a heavy price.”

The Israeli security Cabinet was expected to meet Sunday afternoon to discuss plans for a strike on Iran, an Israeli official told NBC News.

Even as Israel appeared to pin blame for the attack on Iran, Iran’s mission to the United Nations denied involvement, saying “the action in question has been carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon.” As of early Sunday, Hezbollah had not claimed responsibility for the failed attack.

Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi further suggested that Iran was not seeking war. “For us, America is an ally of the Zionists,” he said, referring to Israel, “and if a major war breaks out in the region, America will be dragged into it, which is something we do not want.”

In northern Gaza, where Israel had sent additional troops Friday after it renewed widespread operations this month, the local Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 87 people were killed in overnight Israeli strikes on residential buildings in Beit Lahia. More than 40 others were injured. The ministry suggested the death toll could grow, with some still missing under the rubble.

The IDF disputed an initial death toll of at least 73 people issued by Gaza’s government media office Saturday as “exaggerated,” saying it did not align with the information it held or with “the precise munitions used and the accuracy of the strike” on what it said was a Hamas target. Still, it noted that the “area in question” was “an active war zone” and did not provide an alternative estimate for the strikes’ death toll.

Asked by NBC News to expand on exactly what information it has about the death toll related to its strikes, the IDF said it would not offer further comment. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the updated death toll provided by Gaza’s Health Ministry.

In a separate statement early Sunday, the IDF said its air force had struck about 175 targets across Gaza and Lebanon “over the past day” alone.

Videos and photos emerging out of northern Gaza showed devastating scenes. NBC News’ crew on the ground captured people being rushed to a hospital after a strike in the Jabalia refugee camp, about 1.5 miles from Beit Lahia. Children were among the injured. Some appeared shell-shocked, lying wide-eyed and still on blood-streaked hospital beds attached to IV drips and wrapped in bandages.

Mahmoud Basal, the spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense agency, said at least five people were killed in that strike, including a baby who was less 3 months old. On the cement floor of the hospital, the NBC News crew saw what appeared to be the small form of an infant wrapped in a white shroud.

Basal said the area had fallen under “intense bombing,” and he accused Israeli forces of “targeting homes in a very intense way.”

IDF Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Saturday on X that Israeli forces had arrested a number of people he said were militants in the Jabalia area. In video he shared online, dozens of men could be seen lined up near an Israeli tank. The IDF did not immediately respond to a request for further information.