The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) increased the intensity of its attacks on Hamas bases in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, on Christmas Eve. It is reported that a low-intensity shift in IDF attacks was discussed in a phone call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden on the 23rd, but it does not seem to be effective yet.
The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 24th that over the course of two days, the 23rd and 24th, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on three places, including refugee camps in Al-Magazi and Burezhi in the central Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the Palestinian armed group Hamas, claimed on the 24th that at least 70 people were killed in the al-Magazi refugee camp in a single day of IDF attacks. Regarding the airstrike on the Al Magazi refugee camp, the IDF told AFP that it was “confirming.”
Although 15 IDF soldiers were killed in the three-day attack starting on the 22nd, Israel repeatedly announced its intention to continue the war until its goals, including the elimination of Hamas, are achieved. In a speech to the nation on the 24th, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “War demands very high costs, but we have no choice but to continue fighting,” and added, “We are intensifying our attacks (against Hamas).” He then mentioned his phone call with President Biden and said, “I told (the United States) that we will fight until victory even if it takes a long time, and the United States understands this.” Prime Minister Netanyahu also denied a U.S. media report on the 23rd that the U.S. government dissuaded a preemptive strike against Hezbollah in the early days of the Middle East war, emphasizing that “the United States has never suppressed Israeli military activities.”
The New York Times (NYT) analyzed on this day, “Israel recently appeared to be adjusting the intensity of its attacks as pressure for a ceasefire from the international community grew, but Prime Minister Netanyahu took a belligerent attitude again just one day after the phone call with President Biden.” did.
As the battle in Gaza intensified, Bethlehem, known as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, was enveloped in mourning this Christmas, NYT reported. Munter Isaac, senior pastor of the Protestant Church in Bethlehem, in the West Bank of Palestine, lamented, “Every day I see on the news scenes of children being pulled out of the rubble of buildings,” and “Now we are looking for God under the rubble of buildings in the Gaza Strip.” I did it.
Catholic Pope Francis appealed for world peace at the Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on the 24th. Although he did not directly mention Israel or the Gaza Strip, the Pope said, “Tonight our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once again denied by the vain logic of war. He still finds no place in the world today.” He said.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.