Israel launches new attack on Gaza, about 100 Palestinian civilians killed

Witnesses said Israeli tanks advanced deep into districts in the central and southern Gaza Strip on the night of December 29, accompanied by heavy airstrikes and artillery fire.

The fighting on the night of December 29 and the morning of December 30 focused on al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Khan Younis. Gaza hospitals are packed with wounded people. The Palestinian Red Crescent posted pictures on the Internet of ambulances speeding through the streets, carrying many wounded children.

Nearly all of the 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have fled their homes in a 12-week Israeli military offensive since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7 that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 hostage. The Israeli military campaign has so far killed at least 21,500 Palestinians and wounded nearly 56,000.

The Israeli military said it was working to establish “operational control” over the Khuza’a area. Israeli troops also struck several Hamas assets, including tunnel networks and anti-tank missile launch sites.

Also on December 29, the Israeli army said it had attacked Hezbollah sites in the Hamoul area (southern Lebanon). The sites attacked included rocket launch sites, a military site and other Hezbollah infrastructure.

According to Al Jazeera TV channel, speaking at the UN Security Council, Israel's Permanent Representative to the UN Gilad Erdan warned of the risk of all-out war if the attacks by Hezbollah forces in Lebanon against the country continue.