Dec 24, 2023 at 10:31 PM Update: an hour ago
NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. This time: an attack on a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip is said to have left dozens dead, the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health claims.
It concerns a camp near Maghazi, a place in the middle of Gaza. Several houses were reportedly damaged there. A ministry spokesperson says at least seventy people have died Al Jazeera and news agency Reuters. The death toll is expected to rise. According to Reuters Hamas calls it “a massacre”.
The Israeli army has, according to Al Jazeera in The Guardian said to investigate whether there were indeed so many victims.
In Khan Younis, a few kilometers away, another 22 Palestinians are said to have been killed in Israeli bombardments, reports said. Al Jazeera.
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Netanyahu: ‘War takes a heavy toll’
Earlier in the evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war with Hamas is taking a “heavy toll” on the country. Netanyahu made his comments shortly after the announcement that fifteen Israeli soldiers were killed this weekend. That is the largest number of soldiers killed in weeks.
The prime minister also said that the Israeli army will move deeper into the Gaza Strip to achieve a “total victory” over Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Sunday of a “difficult day” for Israel. Photo: Getty Images
Egypt reportedly has new plan for ceasefire in Gaza
Meanwhile, Egypt has again proposed a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, report Reuters in The Times of Israel. According to the news agency and the news site Israel did not immediately reject the plan and the proposal could lead to new negotiations. Also The Jerusalem Post reports the plan.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Egypt in recent days to discuss the proposal. A delegation from Islamic Jihad also arrived on Sunday for talks.
Qatar is also said to have cooperated in the plan, which the US calls a “serious effort”.
Pope calls for peace
Pope Francis called for peace during Christmas Eve Mass. He did not mention Israel and Gaza, but referred to wars and violence several times in his speech. Earlier on Sunday, he expressed his support for “Palestine, Israel and Ukraine” during prayers.
The Pope also addressed the situation in Bethlehem during the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. According to Francis, “the Prince of Peace is once again rejected by the futile logic of war, by the armed battles that even today prevent him from finding space in the world.”
The war overshadows Christmas celebrations in the Palestinian West Bank city. There are few decorations in Bethlehem, the festivities are canceled and hardly any pilgrims and tourists have come. Residents of the city do not want to celebrate Christmas because thousands of Palestinians are dying in the Gaza Strip.
In solidarity with the civilians in Gaza, an installation of Joseph and Mary stands among the rubble in Bethlehem. Normally there is a Christmas tree there around the holidays. Photo: Getty Images
The conflict explained
2023-12-24 21:31:35
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