Israeli tanks push deeper into Rafah; tensions rise between Israel, Hezbollah

Israeli tanks backed by warplanes and drones advanced deeper into the western part of the Gaza Strip city of Rafah on Wednesday, while tensions between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah continue to rise.

Some eight months into the Israel-Hamas conflict, there has been no sign of let up in the fighting as efforts by international mediators have failed to persuade Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire.

Twelve Palestinians were also killed in an Israeli strike that hit a group of citizens and merchants in the south of the Gaza Strip, medical sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

The people were hit as they waited for convoys of aid trucks carrying goods through the Kerem Shalom crossing in Salahuddin Road northeast of Rafah, the sources added.

The Israeli offensive has left Gaza in ruins, killed more than 37,400 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, and left much of the population homeless and destitute. 

The Israeli forces have yet to achieve Israel's stated goal of wiping out Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages. In an interview with Israeli Channel 13 TV news on Wednesday, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that Hamas "cannot be eliminated" and suggested that only a swap deal could secure the release of all hostages still held in Gaza.

The remarks marked the first time an Israeli official has said that the Palestinian group cannot be eliminated.

Israel's attempts to eradicate Hamas have failed along with repeated efforts to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza.

While the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, the UN Human Rights Office said on Wednesday that Israeli forces may have repeatedly violated fundamental principles of the laws of war and failed to distinguish between civilians and fighters in their military operation in the besieged enclave.

In a report assessing six Israeli attacks that caused a high number of casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure, the UN Human Rights Office said Israeli forces "may have systematically violated the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack."

Israel's permanent mission to the UN in Geneva called the analysis "factually, legally and methodologically flawed."

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday escalated threats against Hezbollah amidst escalating cross-border exchanges of fire between the two sides.

"We are completing the land and air preparedness, strengthening the intelligence systems and preparing for any possibility," Gallant told the press before meeting with military chief Herzi Halevi and senior commanders in the Northern Command headquarters in the city of Safed.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Ynet news site reported that an anonymous "senior Israeli government official" told the news outlet that, "If Hezbollah continues to attack Israel, southern Lebanon will look like Gaza. Beirut will not be immune."

On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it had approved "operational plans" for an offensive against Hezbollah.

In response, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah pledged on Wednesday to fight "without limitations" if Israel starts a war with the militant group.

(With input from agencies)