Israeli airstrikes on Christmas Eve resulted in the death of at least 78 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, marking one of the deadliest nights in Israel’s 11-week-old conflict in the besieged territory. The strikes, which began hours before midnight, continued into Christmas Day, with reports of intensified air and ground shelling in central Gaza’s al-Bureij.
Health officials in Gaza reported that a residential area in central Gaza’s al-Maghazi camp was targeted, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 people, including women and children. The Israeli army, while reviewing the incident report, claimed its commitment to minimizing harm to civilians. Another Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, killed eight Palestinians, according to medics.
Pope Francis expressed sorrow over the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land during his Christmas Eve mass. The Pope’s lament came amidst escalating violence, with Israeli forces conducting airstrikes and Palestinians reporting a surge in ground shelling. The situation remains tense as international figures call for a de-escalation of hostilities.
Torture Allegations Against Israeli Forces:
In a separate development, Palestinians released from Israeli custody following the ongoing ground offensive reported incidents of torture. Approximately 20 released detainees, admitted to Al-Najjar hospital in Rafah, displayed bruises and marks of blows on their bodies. While Israeli forces rejected these claims, stating detainees are treated in accordance with international law, the reports underscore the humanitarian concerns arising from the conflict.
The Holy Land continues to witness a dire humanitarian crisis, with escalating violence further exacerbating tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinian communities. The international community closely watches developments in the region, urging restraint and a renewed commitment to dialogue for a peaceful resolution.
