Israel Hamas War: 100 Palestinians killed in Gaza in one night, silence spread over Bethlehem for the first time on Christmas
The night of Sunday-Monday was the bloodiest in the 11 weeks of fighting in Gaza. 100 people were killed and more were injured in Israeli attacks last night. Disturbed by this bloodshed, Christian religious leader Pope Francis has appealed for the immediate release of Israeli hostages and an end to the war.
Due to the war, there was, perhaps for the first time, silence in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, on Christmas. The Christians living there lit a candle in the church and prayed for peace in the Palestinian territory. Bethlehem is a city in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank. The Israeli Air Force airstrikes began shortly before midnight and continued until early morning.
Central Gaza now the target of Israeli army attacks
According to Palestinian media, the area of central Gaza is now the target of Israeli army attacks. There is bombing and shelling happening day and night. Most of those killed in Israel’s latest attacks are women and children. Most of the people were killed in the cities of al-Bureij, al-Nusirat and Meghaji. 23 people have been killed in last night’s air strikes in the large southern city of Khan Yunis. The total number of people killed in the central Gaza cities and Khan Yunis is 100.
The Israeli military said it carried out targeted strikes so it would determine the true death toll. Meanwhile, fierce fighting continues in several cities of Gaza, two more Israeli soldiers were killed on Monday. Including these, the total number of soldiers killed in the ground action that began on October 20 has reached 158. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that we may have to pay a heavy price for war but there is no other option.
We cannot stop without destroying Hamas
The Israeli army further said that we cannot stop without eliminating Hamas. Extremist organizations are not ready for anything less than the end of the war. At present, there is no information about any significant progress in the talks going on in Cairo on the issue of release of hostages. The leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad have made it clear that they are not ready for anything less than an end to the war in Gaza. A program will be decided for the release of hostages if the condition of ending the war is accepted.
