Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says the Israeli attacks on Gaza are undermining the peace process.

Erekat made the remark after at least 32 Palestinians were killed and 100 wounded on Saturday in a large-scale Israeli army ground operation on northern Gaza Strip.

"The negotiations are being buried under the rubble of Gaza. It's very hard to speak of negotiations while this military aggression and escalation is taking place in Gaza, and once again we call upon the international community to help us in order to sustain a mutual cessation of hostilities."

However, Israeli government spokesman David Baker sought to defend the Israeli attack.

"Over 200,000 Israelis are facing rocket attacks and living under the threat of Palestinian rockets. Israel is compelled to take the proper steps to bring an end to these rocket onslaughts."

The Israeli army rolled into the eastern territories of northern Gaza Strip after midnight in an apparent attempt to distance Palestinian rocket squads from the border and curb their home-made rocket attacks.