Israel-Gaza War Day 80: On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed a Christmas message to the global Christian community, underscoring the ongoing challenge of achieving lasting peace in Israel.
Here are the latest developments on the Israel-Gaza conflict:
- Netanyahu sent Christmas greetings to the global Christian community, recognizing the absence of peace in Israel and outlining the difficulties faced by the country.
- The military reported on Sunday that five Israeli hostages, who were killed while in Hamas captivity, were recovered from an underground tunnel network in the northern Gaza Strip. Post-mortems are pending.
- The circumstances of the hostages\’ deaths remain open, awaiting post-mortem results. Chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that briefings for the families and the public would follow.
- An Israeli airstrike targeted the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza on Sunday, resulting in the death of 70 individuals, according to Palestinian health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra. The death toll is expected to rise.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the heavy toll of soldiers killed in fighting with Hamas, stating that the Gaza war is exacting a \”very heavy price.\”
- Netanyahu expressed the difficulty of the situation after the army announced 14 soldiers had been killed in Gaza since Friday, bringing the total to 15 troops killed since Friday and 154 since the start of Israel\’s ground assault on October 27.
- Widespread discontent is directed at Netanyahu\’s government for perceived failures in protecting civilians on Oct. 7 and for policies contributing to Hamas\’ strengthening. Netanyahu has refrained from acknowledging responsibility for both military and policy shortcomings.
- Efforts for a potential exchange of hostages for Palestinians held by Israel are ongoing. Ziyad al-Nakhalah, head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, participated in talks in Cairo, expressing readiness to consider releasing hostages after a cessation of hostilities.
- The Palestinian Red Crescent reported the death of a 13-year-old boy in an Israeli drone attack inside al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, an area where Israel\’s military suspects the presence of Hamas leaders.
- Israel asserts it has eliminated thousands of Hamas militants, targeting senior commanders and dismantling Hamas\’ tunnel network. This operation is described as potentially taking months to complete.
