Gaza war: Heavy clashes in Bureij camp as Israeli strikes kill another journalist

This live blog has now ended, and will resume tomorrow at 0800 GMT. Thank you for following.

The Palestine Public Broadcasting Corporation has condemned a hacking incident carried out by Israeli forces on Saturday against the main broadcast of its Voice of Palestine radio, which included threatening messages directed at the people of Gaza.

In a statement released by the Corporation, it highlighted the severity of Israel's hacking of the Palestinian media outlets and forcefully seizing their content to serve its aggressive onslaught against Palestinians.

The Corporation said: "This new crime is part of the all-out aggression waged by the occupation against all Palestinians. It is a continuation of the war on the official Palestinian media, evident in the execution of journalists and their families, such as the recent case of colleague Mohammed Abu Hatab, and the ongoing closure of the Corporation's office in occupied Jerusalem, coupled with constant attacks on its field teams."

Israel is reportedly carrying out raids in Tulkarm and Hebron, Al Jazeera reported.

The army has has blocked off the entrance to the Nur Shams refugee camp, and has surrounded a the Thabet Thabet Government Hospital, and the Zakat Hospital inside, according to the report.

Armed confrontations between the Israeli army and Palestinian youths are also taking place.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army is carrying out an incursion in the Al Fawwar Refugee Camp in southern Hebron, including many homes in the area.

The United States shot down two missiles headed toward a container ship in the southern Red Sea and launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

A Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned/operated container ship reported that it was struck by a missile and the USS Gravely and USS Laboon responded to the ship, CENTCOM said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"The vessel is reportedly seaworthy and there are no reported injuries," CENTCOM said.

UNICEF says it delivered at least 600,000 doses of vaccines to Gaza to protect children from diseases, which have been spreading in the besieged enclave.

Illnesses, such as scabies and chickenpox amid worsening hygiene conditions and a lack of basic medical supplies.

The UN agency said more than 16,800 infants have missed one or more routine vaccines, and it will work with the WHO and UNRWA to deliver the arriving vaccines, Al Jazeera reported.

The vaccines will help protect against diseases such as polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Saturday received a report of an incident approximately 55 nautical miles (nM) south west of Yemen's Hodeidah port where "the master reported a loud bang and a flash on the port bow of the vessel."

The vessel is proceeding to the next port of call, UKMTO said in an advisory note.

Authorities are investigating and vessels are advised to transit with caution, UKMTO added.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of Yemen including the capital Sanaa, have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in protest against Israel's war in Gaza.

At least 12 people have been killed in an Israeli strike on a house in al-Zawaida in central Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.

The UNRWA agency has warned that the Gaza Strip is on "just weeks away" of a famine, stressing that people are "desperate and hungry".

The agency urged that "more, much more food" and other basics need to be allowed into the territory, as well as a humanitarian ceasefire would prevent a famine from taking place.

At least five people are wounded in the latest round of attacks to hit the centre of the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

A video posted online showed the NGO tending to injured Palestinians impacted by Israeli shelling in the Maghazi camp, which has been frequently targeted by Israeli forces.

🚨The PRCS teams have just transferred more than 5 injuries 🚑due to Israeli shelling of a house in the Maghazi camp in the central #Gaza Strip.#HumantarianHeroes pic.twitter.com/5E7cE1Ec2o

— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) December 30, 2023

Two young Palestinian men were injured by Israeli rubber-coated metal bullets in the latest Israeli military raid to hit the Hebron area on Saturday, Palestinian security and local sources said, as cite the Wafa news agency.

Four others were arrested in the town of Beit Awwa, southwest of Hebron, while dozens also suffered from tear gas inhalation.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) foreign ministry said Israel is targeting the UNRWA agency that aids Palestinian refugees to expel it from the war-hit territory, to deepen displacement and change the demographic character of the besieged enclave.

In a statement, the ministry also said Israel is trying to expel Palestinians from or push them to leave the Gaza Strip.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates // #Israel targets @UNRWA to expel it from Gaza Strip, deepen the #displacement, and change the demographic character of the Strip#Gaza_under_attack#CeasefireNow#Palestine#Israeliwarcrimes pic.twitter.com/gN9xNcTDvx

— State of Palestine - MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) December 30, 2023

The border zone between the Gaza Strip and Egypt "should be under Israel's control", Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday.

"The Philadelphi Corridor - or to put it more correctly, the southern stoppage point (of Gaza) - must be in our hands. It must be shut. It is clear that any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarisation that we seek," he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address on Saturday that Israel was fighting on "all fronts" in a war that he said would last many more months until "victory is achieved."

He was speaking as Israel entered the 13th week of its war in Gaza, which has killed 21,672 since October 7.

Ahead of New Year’s Eve, the World Food Programme (WFP) said :there is a different kind of countdown in Gaza", in a warning over a looming famine and increased spread of diseases in the territory as the war rages.

"We are racing against time to avert a complete collapse of even the most basic services and starvation for millions," the WFP said.

"Only a long-term ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access can end this."

As we count down to a new year, there is a different kind of countdown in #Gaza.

We are racing against time to avert a complete collapse of even the most basic services and starvation for millions.

Only a long-term ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access can end this. pic.twitter.com/AU7EPHTAyn

— World Food Programme (@WFP) December 30, 2023

Israelis in Tel Aviv have taken to the streets urging the return of the hostages on Saturday.

Many can be heard chanting "Alive! Alive! We Want Them Back Alive!", many chanted.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and war cabinet member Minister Benny Gantz will not join a press conference held by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, Israeli media reported.

Gantz said there is no need for a press conference as "nothing has occurred to warrant a response from the political leadership", while Gallant said he will not be present without Gantz, Haaretz said.

A senior anaylist specialising in Israel said that Tel Aviv's war objective is to "eradicate the ability for Palestinians to live in Gaza", and not to "destroy Hamas", as Iraeli officials have maintained throughout the war.

Mairav Zonszein based her conclusion on data showing that 70 percent of Gaza's housing and buildings are damaged or destroyed, the threat of widespread disease in the territory as well as Israeli leaders’ open call for Palestinians to leave Gaza.

Between data that 70% of Gaza housing and buildings are damaged/ destroyed, the threat of widespread disease and Israeli leaders’ open call for Palestinians to leave Gaza, it is clear Israel’s war objective is not eradicating Hamas, but eradicating the ability to live in Gaza.

— Mairav Zonszein מרב זונשיין (@MairavZ) December 30, 2023

An Israeli soldier who was being held hostage in Gaza has been killed in an Israeli airstrike, according to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's armed wing. 

In an speech broadcasted by Al Araby TV, a spokesperson for the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said that the airstrike occurred following a failed rescue attempt by Israeli commandos.

Some members of the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades were also injured in the airstrike.

The Israeli military has confirmed the deaths of two soldiers, Major Constantine Sushko and Captain Harel Ittah, who were killed while fighting in Gaza.

According to the military Major Sushko was killed in southern Gaza, while Captain Ittah was died from wounds sustained in Gaza last week.

Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, the Palestinian health ministry said, after the army reported he allegedly carried out a car ramming.

The Israeli military said soldiers "neutralised" the driver who rammed the car into a military post near Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron.

An AFP journalist saw Israeli forces surrounding a vehicle with soldiers and military vehicles deployed in the area.

The Palestinian health ministry said Mohammed Masalmeh was shot dead by Israeli troops at the camp entrance.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported one person was moderately wounded.

Thomas White, the Director of Affairs for the UN's Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated that Gaza is at risk of famine as food and water shortages add to the suffering of Gaza.

White stated that "40% of the population at risk of famine" adding that "more regular supplies needed - require safe and sustainable humanitarian access everywhere including to the North of Gaza".

People are hungry and just desperate for food @UNRWA convoy in #Gaza City this week.
40% of the population at risk of famine.
More regular supplies needed - require safe and sustainable #humanitarain access everywhere including to the North of Gaza pic.twitter.com/ylZ3ors6RN

— Thomas White (@TomWhiteGaza) December 30, 2023

The Syrian regime's defence ministry has stated that Israeli warplanes targeted the city of Aleppo in northern Syria, stating that "Israel carried out an aerial aggression from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, west of Latakia, targeting a number of points south of the city of Aleppo".

The Israeli military has published figures of soldiers wounded in Gaza, stating that there were currently 431 soldiers that were hospitalised, 44 of which are in a severe condition. 258 are moderately wounded, whilst 129 are lightly wounded. 

Gaza's health ministry has announced the death toll from Israeli attacks has risen to 21,672 Palestinians killed, with a further 56,165 wounded. It added that in the past 24 hours, 165 Palestinians had been killed with another 250 injured. 

The ministry stated that 50,000 pregnant women suffer from malnutrition, 900,000 children are suffering from the cold, hunger and lack of drinking water, and that 5,300 patients who are in critical condition need a life saving evacuation.

However, the ministry added that it was able to reopen the Al Arabi Hospital, Patient Friend's Benevolent Society, Assahaba Medical Complex, Al Helou International Hospital and several first aid centres. 

According to the Israeli military the Israeli army has raided the Hamas intelligence headquaters in Khan Younis, with soldiers recovering "very valuable" intelligence materials. 

The announcement comes as fierce battles take place between the Israeli army and Hamas in Khan Younis, with Hamas stating they had targeted multiple Israeli tanks during the battle. 

Five people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis where displaced Palestinians were moving their belonging, according to reports from Al Jazeera.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee has said that the Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as clashes between the two continue. 

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Adraee stated that 80 percent of Hezbollah rockets fired on Friday had landed in Lebanese territory. 

He added that Hezbollah "violates international Resolution 1701 and continues to use the Lebanese as hostages in its resolutions to support Hamas, the killers of children and rapists of women." 

US official Amos Hochstein is expected to visit Lebanon in a bid to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, who have been clashing on the Israel Lebanon border since 8 October. 

According to Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, Hochstein will discuss a plan to establish 13 points for a land border between Israel and Lebanon, as well as Israel's withdrawal from the village of Rajar.

At least 100 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in the past 24 hours according to health officials in Gaza.

A further 158 people were also injured in the airstrikes, which have been increasing as Israel moves further into the Gaza Strip.

According to Palestinian news agency WAFA 15 Palestinians have been arrested in raids across the occupied West Bank.

The raids were conducted around Hebron, Nablus, with the largest being conducted on Jalazoun refugee camp north of Ramallah.

The UN's Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has stated that since the beginning of the war 308 people have been killed sheltering in UNRWA shelters, with a further 1,095 being injured. 

This includes two people who were killed sheltering in the Maghazi Prep School.

Initial reports indicate on 25 December, 2 people sheltering in @UNRWA Maghazi Prep School were killed & 1 injured, result of a direct strike.

Since the war began, at least 308 people sheltering in @UNRWA shelters have been killed & 1,095 injured.

Nowhere in📍#Gaza is safe. pic.twitter.com/FZEOTdgErf

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 29, 2023

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has started undertaking "awareness activities" in a bid to control the spread of diseases among displaced persons in Gaza amid a dire humanitarian situation.

PRCS said that their activities were aimed at children to "teach them ways to maintain hygiene despite water scarcity".

📍Due to the spread of diseases and epidemics among displaced individuals in shelter centers, especially children, the PRCS Community Work teams have undertaken awareness activities 🫶with displaced children at the PRCS’s headquarters in #KhanYounis to teach them ways to maintain… pic.twitter.com/MJdjkbjpgi

— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) December 30, 2023