On a day meant for joyous celebrations worldwide, Christmas Eve turned into a somber occasion in Central Gaza as Israeli Forces-led airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 68 people on Sunday. The casualties include 12 women and seven children, according to preliminary hospital figures. “We were all targeted,” said Ahmad Turokmani, who tragically lost several family members, including his daughter and grandson. “There is no safe place in Gaza anyway.”
As smoke rose over the besieged territory, Bethlehem in the West Bank fell into an unusual hush as holiday celebrations were called off. Simultaneously, in neighboring Egypt, tentative efforts continued for a potential deal involving the exchange of hostages for Palestinians held by Israel.
The conflict, which began when Hamas-led militants stormed communities in southern Israel on October 7, has taken a devastating toll. The death toll among Palestinians has reached approximately 20,400, with almost all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people displaced.
Meanwhile, the number of Israeli soldiers killed in combat over the weekend rose to 15, bringing the total to 154 since the ground offensive began. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported the recovery of the bodies of at least five Israeli hostages from an underground tunnel network of Hamas in northern Gaza.
“In a centralized intelligence effort, IDF troops located and recovered the bodies of 5 hostages abducted during the October 7 massacre and brought them back to Israel,” the IDF stated.
Despite rising international pressure and a soaring death toll, public support for the war in Israel remains, with the majority standing behind the country’s goals of crushing Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and securing the release of remaining captives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledging the heavy price paid, stated, “The war exacts a very heavy price from us, but we have no choice but to continue fighting.” President Isaac Herzog appealed for unity, declaring, “This moment is a test. We will not break nor blink.”
Criticism has mounted against the government, accusing it of failing to protect civilians on October 7 and promoting policies that allowed Hamas to gain strength over the years. However, Netanyahu has avoided accepting responsibility for military and policy failures.
As the Israeli military claims to have completed the dismantling of Hamas’ underground headquarters in northern Gaza, efforts toward negotiations persist. The head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, arrived in Egypt for talks, expressing willingness to consider releasing hostages only after the fighting ends.
Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, also engaged in talks in Cairo days earlier, highlighting the complex and delicate nature of the ongoing conflict.
The war has not only left a trail of devastation but has also raised questions about the achievable aims and the prolonged suffering of the Palestinian people. The international community watches with concern as efforts for a peaceful resolution continue amidst the escalating human cost on both sides of the conflict.
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