Tel Aviv - Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 78 people, marking one of the deadliest nights in the 11-week conflict with Hamas, according to Palestinian health officials while Pope Francis said Jesus' message of peace was being drowned out by the "futile logic of war" in the very land where he was born.
The strikes extended into Christmas Day, targeting areas like al-Bureij and Maghazi and causing significant civilian casualties, including women and children. The Israeli army, while stating it was reviewing reports, expressed a commitment to minimizing harm to civilians. In response, Hamas denied accusations of operating in densely populated areas.
The Palestinian Red Crescent documented the impact on wounded residents, underscoring challenges in ambulance access due to airstrikes on main roads. Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the West Bank, experienced canceled celebrations, and Pope Francis expressed sorrow over the rejection of peace amid conflict. Palestinian Christians held a subdued Christmas vigil in Bethlehem, where nativity scenes were placed amid rubble in solidarity with Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has inflicted casualties, damaged infrastructure, and displaced thousands in Gaza. Diplomatic efforts, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, to negotiate a new truce for the release of hostages held by militants have seen limited progress, with both sides outlining conditions for discussions.
Israel faces international pressure to shift to a lower-intensity phase to reduce civilian casualties. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the necessity of continuing the fight until achieving "total victory" over Hamas.
Despite a week-long truce collapsing earlier in the month, fighting has intensified on the ground, spreading from the north to the full length of the densely populated Gaza Strip. The Israeli military reported the deaths of two soldiers in the past day, bringing the total to 158 since ground operations began on October 20.
The conflict has strained relations with the United States, Israel's closest ally, urging a shift to lower-intensity operations to minimize civilian deaths. Israel's military chief of staff claimed operational control in the north of Gaza and announced plans to expand operations further south. However, residents reported intensified fighting in northern districts.
Diplomatic efforts for a new truce to free remaining hostages held by militants in Gaza have yielded little public progress. A delegation led by Islamic Jihad's exiled leader, Ziad al-Nakhlala, was reportedly in Cairo, following talks attended by Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in recent days. Both militant groups insisted on discussing a release of hostages only if Israel ends its war in Gaza, while Israel expressed willingness to discuss only a pause in fighting.
The conflict's toll includes over 20,400 confirmed deaths in Hamas-ruled Gaza, with thousands more believed dead under the rubble. The majority of the 2.3 million Gazans have been displaced, and the United Nations described conditions as catastrophic.