A new phase in the Hamas conflict.

Jerusalem is under attack.

Yesterday (December 29), the Israeli military announced that its fighter jets had bombed rocket launchers in Beit Hanoun, a city in northern Gaza, where Palestinian forces had launched two long-range rockets to attack Jerusalem the previous day, according to The Times of Israel . Both rockets were intercepted. On December 28, air raid sirens also sounded in Jerusalem due to a rocket launched by Houthi forces in Yemen.

Israeli tanks prepare to enter Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza on December 28.

Jerusalem has been relatively peaceful throughout the Hamas-Israel conflict, and being attacked twice within 24 hours was a surprising development. According to The Jerusalem Post , the Hamas and Houthi attacks signal the beginning of a new phase of the conflict, as Israel's adversaries still possess the capability and willingness to attack the holy city, which is sacred to both Jews and Muslims, despite Tel Aviv's military deterrence. If left unaddressed, the attacks could encourage other Israeli rival groups in the region to take similar action.

Hamas and Israel accuse each other of obstructing the ceasefire agreement.

The attacks occurred as Israel conducted a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia, northern Gaza, arresting more than 240 militants hiding there and discovering numerous weapons inside. Gaza's health authorities denied reports of militants operating within the hospital, stating that among those arrested were hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya and several medical staff. The World Health Organization (WHO) criticized the raid, saying that the blockade of the healthcare system in northern Gaza for over 80 days was putting the lives of 75,000 Palestinians at risk. The WHO stated that 15 critically ill patients and 70 remaining medical staff at the hospital had been evacuated before the raid and the facility was now completely empty.

Conflicting information in the agreement.

Amid stalled ceasefire and hostage release negotiations, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has ordered units to prepare for an expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Jerusalem Post, citing military sources, reported that several combat units have been ordered to be ready for redeployment to Gaza. This is believed to be part of a plan to pressure Hamas and other armed groups to release hostages.

On December 28, Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held talks with Hamas representatives to seek a "clear and comprehensive" agreement to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The talks took place in Doha, Qatar, with a delegation led by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya.

According to Israel's N12 television channel, a senior official involved in the negotiations revealed that Hamas might accept a limited agreement, releasing a small number of hostages as a goodwill gesture before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. Israeli and US officials stated on December 26 that the chances of reaching an agreement before Trump's inauguration were slim. President-elect Trump had previously warned that the Middle East would pay a heavy price if hostages were not released before his return to the White House. The Israeli Prime Minister's office issued a statement refuting N12's report. To date, an estimated 96 hostages remain held in Gaza, with the Israeli military confirming at least 34 deaths.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giai-doan-moi-trong-xung-dot-hamas-israel-185241229220858447.htm