Israeli tanks and ground forces launch major overnight raid into northern Gaza

Troops launched attacks against multiple sites before withdrawing back into Israel.

The Israeli military described the raid as the biggest incursion of the current war, during a statement on Israel's Army Radio.

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Video of the overnight action issued by the military showed armoured vehicles proceeding through a sandy border zone.

A bulldozer is seen levelling part of a raised bank, tanks fire shells, and explosions are seen near or amid a row of damaged buildings.

The military statement posted online said the incursion was carried out "in preparation for the next stages of combat", a possible reference to the large-scale invasion that Israeli leaders have threatened as part of the war to destroy Hamas.

"The soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory," the military statement added.

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Israel began localised ground incursions on Sunday as the war, triggered by a 7 October cross-border rampage by Hamas gunmen, entered its third week.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas in Gaza.

The latest from the Gaza frontline comes as Israel demanded the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres resign after making "horrible" comments about the Hamas attack on the country.

Speaking on the unprovoked 7 October attack, Antonio Guterres claimed the Hamas attack "did not happen in a vacuum", sparking outrage from Israeli officials.

Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN said it was "truly sad that the head of an organisation that arose after the Holocaust holds such horrible views. A tragedy."

The Israeli delegation claimed Guterres had "expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder".

Erdan then continued by demanding Guterres immediately resign and said he was not fit to lead the UN.

He later said on social media that Guterres’s speech was "shocking".

"The Secretary-General is completely disconnected from the reality in our region," he wrote.

"There is no justification or point in talking to those who show compassion for the most terrible atrocities committed against the citizens of Israel and the Jewish people."