Dozens killed in Israeli air strike on refugee camp in Gaza, Hamas says
ITV News Reporter Charlie Frost explains the latest developments as fighting between Israel and Hamas continues
At least 70 people have been killed by an Israeli strike in central Gaza on Christmas Eve, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
A spokesman said the death toll was likely to rise given the large number of families living in the Maghazi refugee camp.
The fatalities include at least 12 women and seven children, according to early hospital figures.
“We were all targeted,” said Ahmad Turkomani, who lost several family members including his daughter and grandson. “There is no safe place in Gaza anyway.”
The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Meanwhile the number of Israeli soldiers killed in combat over the weekend rose to 17.
As Christmas Eve fell on Sunday, smoke rose over the besieged territory, while in the West Bank Bethlehem was hushed, its holiday celebrations called off.
In neighbouring Egypt, tentative efforts continued on a deal for another exchange of hostages for Palestinians held by Israel.
War was sparked on October 7, when Hamas-led militants stormed communities in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 more hostage.
Since then, 20,400 Palestinians have been killed and almost all of the territory’s 2.3 million people have been displaced.
More than two-thirds of the number of Palestinians killed have been women and children, according to the Gazan Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Israelis still largely stand behind the country’s stated goals of crushing Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and releasing the remaining 129 captives.
That's despite rising international pressure against Israel’s offensive, and the soaring death toll and unprecedented suffering among Palestinians.
However, the mounting death toll among Israeli troops - 156 since the ground offensive began - could erode public support for the war.
There has also been widespread anger against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, which many criticize for failing to protect civilians on October 7 and promoting policies that allowed Hamas to gain strength over the years.
In a nationally televised speech, Israeli President Isaac Herzog appealed for the country to remain united. “This moment is a test. We will not break nor blink,” he said.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has passed a watered-down resolution calling for the speedy delivery of humanitarian aid for hungry and desperate Palestinians and the release of all the hostages, but not for a cease-fire.
But it was not immediately clear how and when deliveries of food, medical supplies and other aid, far below the daily average of 500 before the war, would accelerate.
Trucks enter through two crossings: Rafah, and Kerem Shalom on the border with Israel.
Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, said 123 aid trucks entered Gaza on Sunday.
The head of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reiterated UN calls for a humanitarian cease-fire, adding on social media that “the decimation of the Gaza health system is a tragedy”.
Amid concerns about a wider regional conflict, the US Central Command said a patrol ship in the Red Sea on Saturday shot down four drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, a while two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into international shipping lanes.
The Iran-backed Houthis say their attacks are aimed at Israel-linked ships in an effort to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know…