Gaza’s health ministry, under the control of Hamas, reports that at least seventy people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the strip’s center.
A spokeswoman predicted a rise in mortality due to the huge number of families in the area.
The Israeli military stated that it was investigating allegations of the attack.
Egyptian media, which borders Gaza, reported a new Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan.
Dozens of injured individuals were rushed from Maghazi to the nearby Al-Aqsa Hospital, with body bags stacked outside and footage showing children’s features covered in blood.
Late on Sunday, the health ministry reported that three residences were damaged in the attack.
Ashraf al-Qudra, a spokesman for the ministry, stated that a densely populated residential complex was completely devastated.
A man mourned his daughter and grandkids, saying his family came to central Gaza for asylum from the north.
“They lived on the third floor of one of the buildings,” according to him. “Behind them, the wall collapsed.” All of my grandchildren, daughter, and her spouse have passed away.
“Everyone is the target.” The targets consist of civilians. No secure location exists. Although we were warned to leave Gaza City, we have traveled to the heart of the country to perish.
Crisis in Gaza: Ongoing Conflict Updates
The Palestine Red Crescent Society reports that main highways connecting Maghazi to two additional refugee camps, Al-Bureij and Al-Nuseirat, have been closed due to “intense” Israeli air strikes, “obstructing the work of ambulances and rescue teams.”
The Israeli military stated that “reports of an incident in the Maghazi camp” had been received.
The Israeli Defence Forces [IDF] are dedicated to upholding international law, which includes minimizing injury to civilians, despite the difficulties presented by Hamas terrorists operating within civilian zones in Gaza, the statement continued.
Over 20,000 people have been killed in Gaza since 7 October, when Hamas and other Palestinian organizations attacked Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 240 hostages, according to the health ministry. The majority of the casualties have been children and women. 54,000 others have been injured.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, stated earlier on Sunday that his nation had paid a “significant and weighty price” for the conflict.
Since Friday, according to the Israeli military, over a dozen soldiers have been killed in Gaza, bringing the total number of casualties for the ground offensive that began on October 7 to 156.
On Saturday, one of its deadliest days, Mr. Netanyahu said Israel had “no choice” but to fight.
Egypt’s proposed new ceasefire would be executed in the following three phases:
During the first seven to ten days of the humanitarian pause that would accompany the armistice, Hamas would free all civilian hostages in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners held captive in Israeli jails.
Hamas would release all Israeli female soldiers during the week-long second phase. To swap more inmates and bodies from October 7, this exchange would be made.
In the one-month third phase, Palestinian detainees and hostages would be released. Additionally, Israel would disengage from the Gaza Strip and cease all aerial operations.
Indirect negotiations, involving the United States and Qatar, would be conducted in Egypt.
Maariv newspaper was informed by an Israeli source that the Egyptian initiative might result in negotiations. Hamas reports that it is currently analyzing the proposal.
Danish shipping giant Maersk is preparing to resume Red Sea and Gulf of Aden operations.
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International Efforts to Counter Drone Threats
Following the deployment of an international military operation, spearheaded by the United States, the announcement was made in an effort to prevent Houthi rebel-controlled regions of Yemen from employing drones to target commercial vessels. The Houthis have vowed their allegiance to Hamas and threatened to destroy any vessel approaching Israel.
Drone attacks prevented Maersk and other shipping companies from transiting the Red Sea and the Suez Canal earlier this month. US Central Command reported that a US Navy ship downed four Yemeni drones in the Red Sea two days ago.
A separate development occurred when, while presiding over a Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Pope Francis urged calm in the Middle East.
The Pope stated, in reference to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, that the “futile logic of war” was drowning out Jesus’ message of peace in the very land where he had been born.
