Macron Expresses Concern for Gaza's Catholic Parish Amidst Conflict
France's president, Emmanuel Macron, conveyed "great concern" regarding a Catholic parish in Gaza during a phone call with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa on Saturday. Macron discussed the "tragic situation" unfolding since the outbreak of war in October, emphasizing the challenges faced by hundreds of civilians of various faiths living under constant threat. He expressed condolences for parishioners allegedly killed "shamefully" in the Gaza Strip's only Catholic church, where worshippers and nuns care for the vulnerable. The Israeli army, however, disputes these claims, stating that no church was hit, and civilians were not injured or killed.
PC: X (French President-Emmanuel Macron)
Netanyahu Denies U.S. Influence on Military Decisions and Acknowledges Heavy Toll on Israeli Soldiers in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses reports suggesting U.S. influence on Israel's military actions during a cabinet meeting, emphasizing Israel's sovereignty in decision-making. Responding to claims that the U.S. persuaded him not to target Hezbollah in Lebanon, Netanyahu states that decisions are based on operational considerations, refuting any external interference in the country's war strategy.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledges the significant cost of the war in Gaza as the number of Israeli soldiers killed in clashes with Hamas rises. Describing it as a challenging period, he emphasizes the necessity to persist in the fight despite the profound impact on the military.
Child Killed in Southern Gaza
A 13-year-old child is reported killed by an Israeli drone attack near El Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, bringing the total child casualties to over 8,000 since October 7.
PC: The Guardian (Children in building ruins after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis)
Urgent Call for Humanitarian Ceasefire in Gaza
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, urges a "humanitarian ceasefire" to aid civilians and prevent further loss of life in Gaza, where the death toll from Israeli strikes has reached 20,258, mostly women and children. While a UN Security Council resolution supports large-scale aid delivery, it falls short of demanding a halt to hostilities, emphasizing the need for conditions leading to a sustainable cessation. Secretary-General António Guterres warns that securing the delivery of supplies is just the first step in averting famine and deadly epidemics.
Israeli Military Confirms 14 Soldiers Killed in Recent Gaza Combat
The Israeli military has reported that 14 Israeli soldiers lost their lives in combat on Friday and Saturday during the ongoing ground offensive in Gaza. This brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in the conflict to 153 since the commencement of the ground operation. The casualties occurred in battles across central and southern Gaza.
PC: AP (X)
Palestinians Forced to Flee Central Gaza Following Israeli Evacuation Order
Thousands of Palestinians are once again compelled to leave their homes as the Israeli military issues new evacuation directives in the central Gaza Strip. The order, announced by Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee on Friday, instructs residents of the Bureij camp and other central Gaza areas to relocate to the southern city of Deir el-Balah. Displaced multiple times since October 7, Palestinians can be seen navigating the journey with infants in prams and belongings on carts pulled by donkeys. Upon reaching Deir el-Balah, they face not only Israeli airstrikes but also severe overcrowding, as the city has become a refuge for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people from across Gaza.
PC: Al Jazeera (Southern city of Deir el-Balah)
Biden talks with Netanyahu
Following a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, President Joe Biden has now retreated to Camp David for the Christmas holiday weekend. The discussion centred on the objectives and timeline of Israeli military operations against Hamas. The U.S. is eager to see a swift resolution to major military actions, as highlighted by recent visits from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to the region. The president will closely monitor developments over the weekend, with the hope of de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.
VC : The Guardian
Christmas Somberness Grips Ain Ebel Amidst Israel-Lebanon Tensions
Amidst Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Christian community in Ain Ebel, near Lebanon's border, anticipates a somber Christmas. Since October 7, Israel and Lebanon have exchanged missile fire, with the Israeli military targeting Hezbollah across the border. Despite the tensions, French UN peacekeepers at Saint-Joseph des Saints-Coeurs School strive to provide a sense of normalcy, organizing a Christmas party with sweets and gifts for the children.
PC: AP (French UN peacekeepers at Saint-Joseph des Saints-Coeurs School)
Reports of unrest in West Bank cities
Unrest has erupted in West Bank cities, with homemade explosives deployed against the Israeli military in Tulkarem and armed clashes reported between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in Nablus. Israeli forces stormed Beit Awa, south of Hebron, arresting Palestinians, as overnight raids unfolded across the occupied West Bank, including Bethlehem, Beita, Sa’ir, and Karma. The situation remains tense as Israeli forces intensify their presence in the region.
PC: AP (Israeli military in Tulkarem)
Alarming Surge in Journalist Casualties in Gaza, Toll Reaches 101
The toll in Gaza rises as Ahmad Jamal Al Madhoun, deputy director of the Al Rai Agency, succumbs to an Israeli air attack. This event brings the total number of journalists' death count to 101 since October 7, marking an alarming concentration of casualties in the conflict. Over 50 media offices have suffered complete or partial destruction. Among the victims is Samer Abudaqa, a cameraman from Al Jazeera Arabic. Tim Dawson, deputy general secretary at the International Federation of Journalists, expresses deep concern over this unprecedented situation, urging global attention to the safety of journalists in the region. The incident underscores the broader humanitarian crisis, demanding international efforts to protect individuals caught in the crossfire.
Image Credits: Multiple Agencies
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