Israeli tanks penetrate deep into a Gaza town following airstrikes, leading to a fresh mass exodus.

 

An Israeli artillery unit fires, near the Israel-Gaza border, in southern Israel, December 28, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS 

Israeli tanks penetrate deep into a Gaza town following airstrikes, leading to a fresh mass exodus.

In Cairo/Gaza, Israeli tanks made significant progress into a town in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, following continuous bombardment over several days. This onslaught compelled tens of thousands of already displaced Palestinian families to embark on a new exodus.

A Palestinian journalist shared images of Israeli tanks near a mosque in the built-up area of Bureij, indicating their apparent advance from orchards on the eastern outskirts. In the southern region, Israeli forces targeted the vicinity around a hospital in the heart of Khan Younis, the main southern city in the Gaza Strip. Residents expressed concerns about a potential new ground incursion into territory already densely populated with families displaced during the 12 weeks of conflict.

Palestinian health authorities reported 210 confirmed casualties in the past 24 hours due to Israeli strikes, bringing the total death toll of the war to 21,320 - nearly 1 percent of the enclave's population. There are fears of thousands more casualties buried or missing in the rubble.

Despite public appeals from its closest ally, the United States, to de-escalate the campaign in the final weeks of the year, Israel has significantly intensified its ground operations in Gaza since just before Christmas.

On Thursday, tens of thousands of individuals, escaping from the vast districts of Nusseirat, Bureij, and Maghazi, moved towards the saturated city of Deir al-Balah along the Mediterranean coast. They crowded into hastily established camps consisting of makeshift tents.

The information provided in the message appears to contain inaccuracies and lacks context. The conflict between Israel and Hamas is complex, and it's crucial to present a more accurate and balanced perspective. The events described in the message do not align with historical facts. If you have any specific questions or need information on a particular aspect of the Israel-Hamas conflict, feel free to ask.