Main events from Januari 12th
- Israeli forces continued to bombard Gaza, killing dozens in attacks on Gaza City, Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps.
- Israel’s more than 100-day long siege of north Gaza has left some 5,000 Palestinians dead or missing, medical sources said, describing the operation as the “most horrific form of ethnic cleansing”.
- US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone, with the American leader stressing the need for a ceasefire and captives release deal.
- US Vice President-elect JD Vance has said Donald Trump will “enable the Israelis to eliminate the last remnant of Hamas and its leadership” if a deal is not reached before he takes office on January 20.
- Israeli forces launched more attacks on Lebanon, striking the valley of Houmin, after the Lebanese government submitted a complaint to the United Nations Security Council over the continued violations of a ceasefire agreement that went into force in November.
Israel’s siege of north Gaza leaves 5,000 dead and missing in 100 days
Palestinian officials are describing Israel’s 100-day siege on north Gaza as “the most horrific form of ethnic cleansing, displacement and destruction”. At least 5,000 Palestinians have been killed or are missing, while some 9,500 people have been wounded.
Israel’s military intensified the campaign in November, claiming it was to prevent Hamas regrouping. But human rights groups say attacks have deliberately targeted civilians. Almost all aid to the area has been blocked, resulting in famine-like conditions. Hospitals have been repeatedly attacked, and Israeli soldiers have detained patients and medical staff.
Israel launches ‘large bombing operation’ in southern Lebanon
The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) is reporting that Israeli forces carried out a “large bombing operation” in the southern town of Kfar Kila in the early hours of the morning, causing tremors in the surrounding towns.
It said Israeli forces are also carrying out a wide combing operation with heavy and medium machineguns in the southern town of Khiam. The latest attacks follow Israeli air raids overnight on the outskirts of Janta in the eastern Baalbek region as well as areas near southern Nabatieh.
Earlier, the Israeli military said it had struck several Hezbollah sites, including a rocket launcher, and “routes along the Syria-Lebanon border used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah”.
The attacks come just two weeks before the January 26 deadline for implementing the November ceasefire, which both sides have accused the other of violating.
Lebanon reports four more Israeli violations of ceasefire deal
Lebanese state news agency NNA says an Israeli reconnaissance plane flew at low altitude over the southern city of Tyre. Israeli forces blew up several homes in the town of Aita ash-Shaab in southern Lebanon, the same source said.
Israeli soldiers also staged a large-scale search operation in the town of Khiam, while military vehicles were reported to be advancing into the town of Meiss El-Jabal, NNA said.
Lebanon and Israel reached a ceasefire deal on November 27 to end over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group since the start of the Gaza war. Lebanese authorities have reported more than 470 Israeli violations of the deal, including the death of 32 people and injury of 39 others.
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