The Gaza Strip is currently facing some of the deadliest fighting in the ongoing war as Israel expands its offensive, just days after the UN security council passed a resolution calling for more aid and urgent steps for a sustainable ceasefire. More than 100 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, including at least 70 in bombings that hit a residential block in the Maghazi refugee camp near Deir al-Balah.
Despite previously being identified as an “evacuation zone” for Palestinians fleeing the fighting, Deir al-Balah was hit overnight. The Palestinian Red Crescent published footage from al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, showing dazed and bloodied children covered in rubble dust and dozens of white body bags. The Israeli military has said it is reviewing the Maghazi incident.
This year’s Christmas celebrations across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories were cancelled in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Instead of the traditional parade and joyous midnight service in the occupied West Bank town of Bethlehem, Palestinian Christians held a subdued mass with hymns and prayers for peace.
Israel has expanded its operations into the southern half of the Gaza Strip, raising fears for the territory’s 2.3 million residents. The UN has warned that a quarter of the population is starving and that an increase in aid since 17 December amounts to a fraction of what is needed for people to survive the cold and wet winter conditions. Aid that did arrive was difficult to distribute because of the fighting and lack of fuel and usable roads.
On Monday night, it emerged that Hamas and Islamic Jihad had reportedly rejected an Egyptian ceasefire proposal. The proposal entailed an initial cessation of hostilities for at least a week and the release of all remaining Israeli civilian hostages held in Gaza, followed by a release of female soldiers in return for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and finally a month-long negotiation period for release of male soldiers in exchange for Israeli withdrawal.
Washington, Israel’s most important ally, has urged Israeli officials to shift away from large-scale aerial and ground operations in the Gaza Strip to a new phase in the war focused on precise targeting of Hamas leaders. But despite rising international outcry over the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including growing criticism from the US, Netanyahu has stated that Israel will continue its military pressure until “complete victory” over Hamas is achieved.
The conflict has taken a very heavy toll on both sides, with more than 100 Israeli soldiers killed and 15 Israeli soldiers killed in intense ground skirmishes with Hamas since Friday. The war has led to a severe humanitarian crisis for the residents of the Gaza Strip, with many facing starvation and an acute shortage of aid. The ongoing violence and lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations have caused a widespread outcry from the international community.