In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have expanded their ground incursion into southern Gaza, focusing on encircling the city of Khan Younis, where Hamas' leadership is believed to be hiding. The current stage of the Israeli military operation is expected to last several weeks, possibly continuing into the new year, according to senior officials from the Biden administration.

The IDF launched a major assault on Khan Yunis, marking the largest ground operation since the collapse of a previous cease-fire last Friday. The IDF believes Khan Yunis is a key hub for Hamas' control over the Gaza Strip. The head of the IDF's Southern Command stated that Israeli forces are facing intense encounters with Hamas, making it the most intense day of fighting since the beginning of the ground operation. Israel has expressed its intention to continue attacking.

Tragically, an Israeli air strike on houses in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza resulted in the death of at least 45 individuals, according to health officials in the Strip. Additionally, the IDF reported surrounding the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north of Gaza.

The situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating, with the World Health Organization (WHO) stating that the intensity of bombings is escalating by the hour. The Hamas-controlled health ministry has reported a staggering total of 16,248 Palestinian deaths since October 7.

In response to Hamas' underground tunnels in Gaza, Israel is considering a strategy to flood these tunnels through a system of large pumps, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, Qatar's emir has called upon the UN Security Council to compel Israel to return to negotiations, emphasizing the urgency to end the "heinous crime" of occupation.

Tensions between Hamas and Israel escalated further as Hamas officials accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of obstructing a full hostage-prisoner exchange deal, insisting that there can be no exchange until Israel ceases its aggression toward Gaza. The families of hostages were left livid after Netanyahu stated that it is currently not possible to secure the release of all hostages.

In addition to the conflict in Gaza, Israel faced attacks from other fronts. Three rocket barrages originating from Lebanon targeted Israel's northern city of Kiryat Shmona, while the IDF responded by attacking Hezbollah targets in Lebanese territory. In the ensuing clashes, one Lebanese soldier lost his life.

On the domestic front, rocket fire from Gaza wounded three individuals in Ashkelon, while a man in Tel Aviv sustained light injuries following a Hamas barrage targeting central Israel.

The IDF released the names of five soldiers who were killed in the Gaza Strip on Monday, along with two reservists who lost their lives on Tuesday. Furthermore, the Biden administration took an unusual punitive measure, imposing visa bans on Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

The Palestinian Authority's health minister announced that since October 7, a total of 260 Palestinians have been killed and 3,200 injured in the West Bank. Israeli security forces have also conducted operations in the Jenin refugee camp, resulting in the arrest of 21 suspects.

In a concerning development, an Israeli intelligence source revealed that Hamas may have utilized a spy to gather inside knowledge of an IDF base on the Gaza border. The source based their assessment on a detailed map recovered after the conflict, implying a level of insider information in planning the October 7 assault.

In a separate incident, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi commented on the shooting by Aviad Frija, who killed Israeli civilian Yuval Kestelman at the scene of a Hamas terror attack in Jerusalem. Halevi acknowledged a failure to follow necessary rules, stating, "We don't shoot those who keep their hands up." Frija is currently under suspicion for reckless homicide.

On the political front, Israel Police have approved a march through the Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter to the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem by far-right Jewish activists on Thursday evening, the first night of Hanukkah. These activists are calling for the restoration of full Jewish control over the Temple Mount and Jerusalem.