“Israeli airstrikes intensified in Gaza on Sunday, marking a somber conclusion to a challenging year. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that the conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack, is expected to endure for ‘many months.’ Tragically, at least 40 Palestinians lost their lives in overnight bombings in Gaza City, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. The aftermath of the strikes revealed a devastating scene, with 18 bodies recovered so far and many still trapped under the rubble. A local resident described the aftermath, stating, ‘After the explosion, we arrived at the scene of the strike and saw martyrs everywhere. Children are still missing, and we can’t find them.'”
“The Israeli army reported engaging in multiple ground battles, air and tank strikes, resulting in the elimination of around a dozen enemy fighters. Additionally, they uncovered Hamas tunnels and explosives planted in a kindergarten. As heavy combat persists, the UN reports that 85 percent of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have been displaced, raising concerns about the growing risk of hunger and disease among families sheltering in makeshift tents during the winter.
The ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict reached a devastating peak after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on October 7. Palestinian gunmen breached Gaza’s high-tech border fence, infiltrating southern Israel and causing approximately 1,140 casualties, mostly civilians. The surprise attack, marked by atrocities and the abduction of around 250 hostages by Hamas operatives, triggered a fierce Israeli response.
The subsequent heavy bombardment and a ground invasion have left vast areas of Gaza in ruins, resulting in a death toll of at least 21,822 people, predominantly women and children, according to the health ministry. Over 55,000 people have been injured, and many Gaza hospitals are either out of service or overwhelmed.
The Israeli army reports 172 soldiers killed inside Gaza, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that about 8,000 ‘terrorists’ have been eliminated. Recently, Israel announced the destruction of the Gaza City hideout of Hamas’s Gaza leader, Yahya Sinwar, connected to a vast tunnel system. Sinwar has been labeled a ‘dead man walking’ by Israeli authorities.”