Israel The dying in Gaza continues - compassion in Bethlehem
The devastating Gaza war cost more lives at Christmas and exacerbated the catastrophic situation of both Palestinians and Israeli hostages.
25.12.2024, 05:31
SDA
At least five Palestinians were killed during an Israeli army operation in a hospital in the north of the sealed-off coastal area. According to the UN, this and other clinics, where there is also repeated fighting, are in urgent need of food and water. Hopes for a quick agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by the Islamist Hamas remained unfulfilled. Israel brings back its negotiators from Qatar.
Latin Patriarch shows compassion for people in Gaza
At midnight mass in Bethlehem, the highest representative of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, expressed solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. "You are not alone," he said in St. Catherine's Church right next to the Church of the Nativity in the small town on the West Bank. "You are truly a visible sign of hope in the midst of the catastrophe of total destruction that surrounds you," said the Latin Patriarch, who had visited the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip before Christmas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously addressed Christians around the world in a Christmas message. "At a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts, we deeply appreciate the steadfast support of our Christian friends," Netanyahu said, according to his office. "We strive for peace with all those who want peace with us, but we will do everything we can to defend the only Jewish state." Israel's "fight against the forces of evil and tyranny" is not yet over.
Israeli army: another missile from Yemen intercepted
Meanwhile, Israel's air defenses intercepted another missile fired from Yemen during the night, according to military sources. It had been fired from outside the country's borders. In several areas in the center of Israel, the sirens were wailing again. Only the previous night, the Houthi militia in Yemen had fired a ballistic missile towards the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv. This was also intercepted. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, the militia, which is allied with Hamas, has been attacking targets in Israel and ships in the Red Sea with missiles and drones.
Overshadowed by the Gaza war, the Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem - according to tradition the birthplace of Jesus Christ - were subdued. The traditional procession from Jerusalem did arrive in Bethlehem. However, there were no festive decorations and the lighting of a large Christmas tree in the square in front of the Church of the Nativity. The tense situation in the West Bank has worsened since the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 people dead and triggered the Gaza war.
More deaths in the West Bank too
According to Palestinian reports, at least seven people were killed in an Israeli military operation in Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank. Four more Palestinians were killed in two further incidents. Israel's army announced that armed forces had been in Tulkarem for an anti-terrorist operation. A vehicle belonging to Israeli commanders was hit by an explosive device during the night. One of the high-ranking officers was injured. The other occupants were unharmed.
During the operation in Tulkarem, Israeli soldiers had "killed a terrorist in a face-to-face battle", it was previously reported. Armed Palestinians had opened fire on Israeli soldiers, who had fired back. Reports that bystanders were also killed are being investigated. The information provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Israeli army could not initially be independently verified in detail.
The death toll also continued in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army announced that forces had "carried out and completed a limited operation against terrorists and infrastructure" in the area of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza. Five terrorists were killed in and around the hospital and others were arrested. There had been repeated attacks on Israeli soldiers from there over the past month. This information could not initially be verified either.
UN emergency aid office deplores situation in northern Gaza
The situation in the Kamal Adwan and Al Awda hospitals and in the Indonesian hospital has deteriorated drastically since December 21, OCHA reported. The north of Gaza is still practically under siege. Since December 1, the Israeli authorities have denied 48 of 52 attempts by the UN to coordinate humanitarian access. The new UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher previously reported a breakdown of law and order in the sealed-off coastal area. Supplies are being systematically looted by local gangs.
According to Israel, there are enough relief supplies, but the UN has not managed to distribute them. According to international legal opinion, Gaza is territory occupied by Israel. Israel is responsible for maintaining order.
Israel's army continues to take action against Hamas
Meanwhile, Israel's army announced during the night that it had attacked another Hamas terrorist in southern Khan Yunis. He had entrenched himself there in a humanitarian protection zone. Before the "precise attack", measures were taken to reduce the danger to civilians. The army did not provide any information on possible casualties. The Israeli military repeatedly accuses Hamas of entrenching itself in clinics and other civilian facilities and using civilians as human shields.
Israel wants to destroy Hamas in Gaza. According to Palestinian figures, more than 45,300 people have already been killed in the coastal strip with a population of more than two million since the start of the war, whereby the barely verifiable number does not differentiate between fighters and civilians.
After a week of intensive negotiations in Qatar on a ceasefire, Israel has called back its negotiators. According to Prime Minister Netanyahu's office, there are to be internal consultations on the continuation of negotiations for the release of the hostages held in Gaza. Together with the USA and Egypt, Qatar is acting as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. According to Israeli sources, around 100 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip. However, many of them are probably no longer alive.
