The Times of Israel is liveblogging Monday’s events as they unfold.
Videos appear to show intense clashes in Jenin
Heavy fighting is being reported in the West Bank city of Jenin, where Israeli forces have repeatedly faced off against Palestinian terror groups while carrying out raids.
Footage from the northern West Bank city shows flares lighting up the sky and tracer rounds streaking across the tops of buildings.
Loud explosions and the staccato of small arms can also be heard.
IDF activity continues in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. pic.twitter.com/qksUv1aivt
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) December 25, 2023
Jenin at this moment. pic.twitter.com/YvP4FxIg4x
— Palestine Captives ???? (@Palestinecapti1) December 25, 2023
More raids across the Occupied West Bank tonight.
Clashes reported in Jenin and Nablus, as Israeli forces also raid Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Burka. pic.twitter.com/uXmL2xz5cd
— Hamdah Salhut (@hamdahsalhut) December 25, 2023
There is no immediate comment from the Israel Defense Forces on the apparent clashes.
IDF says it is investigating central Gaza strike as Hamas health authorities revise toll to 68
The IDF says it is investigating claims that dozens of people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Maghazi camp, east of Deir al-Balah, in the center of the Strip, Reuters reports.
The Associated Press reports that Hamas health authorities have revised their initial death toll of 70 down to 68.
The toll cannot be independently verified, and Gazan health authorities have been accused in the past of inflating casualty numbers. The Hamas-controlled officials also do not say if the dead are civilians or linked to armed groups, though they claim some of the victims are women and children.
The Palestinian Red Crescent says it transported five fatalities and another eight injured people in a strike in Maghazi.
????The Palestine Red Crescent teams evacuated 5 martyrs and 8 wounded ????following the targeting of a house in the Maghazi camp in the central #Gaza Strip.
????Videography by volunteer: Mohammed Suleiman. pic.twitter.com/piNuflu51j— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) December 24, 2023
The IDF also tells Reuters it is committed to minimizing harm to civilians.
Israel largely blames Hamas for non-combatant deaths, noting that the terror group has deeply embedded its military infrastructure amid civilian areas.
Gantz wishes Christians merry Christmas, says bond is valued ‘more than ever’ in wartime
War cabinet minister Benny Gantz wishes, “Merry Christmas,” to Christians in Israel and abroad, saying that in the shadow of the war against Hamas, “we value more than ever the unbreakable bond that we share.”
“We promise to continue protecting this Holy Land that we all cherish, the religious freedom to worship freely in it, and the people that make this sacred place so special.,” he says.
As Christians in Israel and around the world welcome Christmas, while war rages across our borders and we fight for our existence, we value more than ever the unbreakable bond that we share – a friendship that has been a bright light in the darkness.
We promise to continue…
— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) December 24, 2023