The Israeli brutal attack on the Gaza Strip intensified during the month of December, and especially closer to the holidays (the end of the month). In addition to the continuation of ground force attacks, invasions, and destructions of Jabaliya, Shajaiye, Shate’a Refugee Camp (north) and Al-Bureij and Nusseirat Camp (central), the Israeli forces expanded to Khan Yunis (south), Deir Al-Balah and Al Bureij (central). However, it was clear that the extensive and brutal attacks were in Khan Yunis and its surrounding agricultural villages of Al Qarara, Bani Suheila, Abasan, and Khuza’a. Khan Yunis’ population was estimated at 200,000 people before the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, with an estimated rise to 800,000 additional internally displaced Palestinians, prior to the issued Israeli evacuation order. But December was when Khan Yunis before they received the evacuation order.
By the end of December, the number of people killed in the Gaza Strip since October 7th reached 21,822 Palestinians, including 9,000 children, 6,450 women, 312 medical personnel, 40 civil defense members, 106 journalists, and 136 UN employees; with an additional estimate of 7,000 Palestinians missing. The number of confirmed cases of injured in the Gaza Strip as of December 27th was around 55,243. Starvation was becoming more and more evident by the end of December with four out of five starving children globally being in gaza.
According to the Israeli website "Mekomit," 88% of all buildings in the northern part of Gaza are no longer suitable for habitation (26% were completely demolished, and 62% were partially demolished). Based on investigations by two Israeli news outlets, the Israeli army significantly targeted public buildings and residential towers during the war. Testimonies suggest that the army approved bombings in populated areas despite knowing that it would lead to the death of hundreds of innocent civilians – a policy that resulted in a significant increase in the number of child and family casualties, with more than 300 families losing at least 10 members each.
The dehumanization of Palestinians in Gaza, justifying the intentional civilian killing and destruction continued and increased, with reporters claiming that it was an approach to gain popularity among the Israeli public. Politicians like Amichai Eiyahu, Bezalel Smotrich, Avigdor Lieberman, Daniella Weiss, David Azoulai, Tali Gottlieb, have emerged through their individual calls for "Voluntary Migration", the “Flattening” and “resettlement of Gaza by Israelis”. These calls suggest that this is Israel’s plan for the future of Gaza. Media reports indicated that such plans and campaign exist and are working to implement this vision, led by the settler movements in the West Bank.
This reports dives into the day-to-day violations and attacks in Gaza while also expanding on the extensive violations and crimes conducted in the West Bank. The illegal Israeli settlers’ activities in expropriating Palestinian land across the West Bank was intensified and made very much visible during this month with wide areas and acres of lands confiscated in December alone. Furthermore, the continued instances of daily crimes, assassinations, murders, and more. The number of Israeli incursions into Palestinian towns and cities in the West Bank reached 1,623 incursions during the month of December, averaging to 54 incursions per day – which surpassing the rate in November. While, the number of arrests in December slightly decreased to 1,339 Palestinians, averaging 45 arrests per day. Nevertheless, the threat towards Palestinian prisoners is extremely alarming given the draft law submitted by Otzma Yehudit party ordering the execution of Palestinian prisoner, adding that the draft is which is expected to receive support from all Knesset members.
Politicians and Racist Statements:
"There are no innocents in the Gaza Strip": On December 3, Member of the Knesset and leader of the "Yisrael Beiteinu" party, Avigdor Lieberman announced to justify Israel’s approach to the war, and encourage his Israeli audience. This statement was used by him, Avigdor Lieberman in 2018, during his role as the Israeli Minister of Defense at the time, to legitimize the killing of Palestinians that were peacefully marching at the Gaza border.
“Executing Palestinian Prisoners”: On December 6, the Israeli Minister of Heritage, Amichai Eliyahu, called for the execution of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons as a way to block any future deals for the exchange of prisoners. Furthermore, Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power party submitted a draft law to execute Palestinian prisoner, adding that the draft is expected to receive support from all Knesset members.
Jewish settlement of the Gaza Strip the day after the war: On December 14, the head of the "Nahala" settlement movement, Daniela Weiss, emphasized that she is looking for the Jewish return and settlement of the Gaza Strip the day after the war. She continued to repeat the claims that Egypt is preparing to receive refugees from Gaza, and falsify the claim that Egypt doesn’t want them. She added, that Erdogan will also receive part of them because he loves radical Islam. And then legitimized the distribution of Palestinians in Gaza to other countries in Europe by adding: There are many Muslims in Amsterdam, and many Muslims in Berlin. Two million people will leave Gaza to the world. Israeli Channel 12 published a detailed report at the beginning of 2024 about real and persistent efforts for settlement in the Gaza Strip, led by active settler associations in the West Bank, with "Nahala" at the forefront, involving hundreds of settlers. Weiss’ statements are not new, as Settlement Minister Orit Struck called for a return to Gaza before October 7.
“Flattened completely, just like Auschwitz today”: On December 18, David Azoulai, a political leader for the northern Israeli town of Metula stated that Gaza should be flattened completely and Palestinians in Gaza should be forcibly sent to refugee camps in Lebanon.
"Voluntary Migration": On December 25, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he is working towards the re-settlement of Gaza residents to other countries, claiming that, "The problem is the lack of countries ready to receive them, and we are working to solve this problem." Netanyahu's words followed a proposal by Likud party member Dani Dannon, advocating for the formation of a team affiliated with the State of Israel to assist anyone who wants to leave the Gaza Strip, considering it of "strategic importance to Israel on the day after the war."
Those who refuse to leave their homes “deserve death”: On December 28, Likud party Knesset member Tali Gottlieb called for ensuring aerial bombardment in the south continue intensely, disregarding the 1.9 million displaced Palestinians currently taking refuge there. She also called for controlling the area of northern Gaza by building military bases and settlements.
"Not one shekel will go to the ‘Nazi terrorists’ in Gaza”: On December 29, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich refused to transfer tax funds to the Palestinian Authority (PA) – equating the PA to Hamas. This came in response to the US’ request of Israel to transfer the funds it collects for the Authority, which Israel rejected and continues today to withhold the funds. Smotrich also carried on and said Palestinians should leave Gaza, making way for Israelis.
Israel must be permanently present in the Gaza Strip: On December 30, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that Israel’s presence should be militarily and civically, which indicates re-settling the Strip, while the two million Palestinians cannot remain, and should be encouraged to “voluntarily migrate” from the Strip. According to him, consultations should begin on the approach for settling the Strip, emphasizing, that to survive there militarily, Israelis must also survive there civically.
Expropriation of Land:
In the month of December, the Israeli authorities rushed to implement various settlement plans from building roads to expanding settlements. This included confiscation of land in all governorates of the West Bank, but especially in the areas of Nablus, Hebron, and Jerusalem. In terms of schools and in the month of December, 38 schools were invaded and vandalized.
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December 2: The Israeli army seized 1.25 acres of land in the village of Huwwara, south of Nablus, for military purposes. The town has been suffering from a strict siege for 55 days.
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December 6: In the village of Bireen, south of Hebron, settlers built a 2 mile colonial road to connect the Adam and Geva Binyamin settlements, facilitating the expansion of these settlements. The Israeli forces also demolished an inhabited house in the town of Al-Khader in the Umm Rukba area, under the claim of lack of permits. They also constructed a colonial road in the area, declaring it a closed military zone. While in Jerusalem, the Israeli government approved the construction of 1,738 units in a new settlement southeast of Jerusalem, between the settlements of Giv'at Hamatos and Har Homa. This plan obstructs the last remaining passage connecting East Jerusalem with the neighborhoods of Beit Safafa and Sharafat.
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December 7: The Israeli forces seized 125 acres of land in the village of Jab'a, northeast of Jerusalem, claiming it as state land. The confiscation aims to create geographic continuity between the Adam and Geva Binyamin settlements for future expansion.
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December 9: The Israeli army closed a landfill in the town of Beita, south of Nablus, and destroyed the road leading to it. The municipality estimated the losses at 150,000 shekels (approximately USD30,000). The Israeli authorities also notified several Jerusalemites in the Bab Al-Maghariba area (Moroccan Gate), in the Old City of Jerusalem, to evacuate properties and lands covering 2.25 acres, as a prelude to confiscation.
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December 10: Israeli forces started constructing a road for settlers on the lands of Falah Badawi Sbu Sneineh’s family in Khirbet Qalqas, south of Hebron. The road is designed to be 25 feed wide and 984 feet long.
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December 11: The Israeli forces announced its intention to seize the historic area of Deir Qala, west of Salfit, covering an area of 4.5 acres.
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December 18: The Israeli forces closed the entrances to villages and towns in Ramallah, restricting the movement of citizens in places like Atara, Rawabi, Birzeit, Silwad, Yabrud, Aboud, Ras Karkar, Shuqba, Turmus Ayya, Oyoun al-Haramiyya, Ni'lin, and Deir. Ammar and Kharbatha Bani Harith. The army also set up a checkpoint, preventing the movement of citizens between the villages of Um Safa and Nabi Saleh, and a checkpoint near the village of Ain Qiniya. The entrances to the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, were also closed with earthen barriers.
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December 20: A new settlement plan was revealed to seize 26 acres of land from the villages of Siniria and Masha, South of Qalqilia.
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December 21: The Israeli Military Administration of the West Bank signed a decision to re-establish the Homesh settlement (north of Burqa, Nablus area), despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's commitment to the U.S. administration not to build the settlement in northern West Bank.
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December 24: The Israeli government approved the transfer of 75 million shekels (approximately 25 million dollars) through the Settlement Ministry, led by Knesset member for the "Religious Zionism" party, Orit Struck, with the support of the Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The funds were earmarked under the label of "Support for the Security of Young Settlements in the West Bank," an Israeli term for illegal and "unauthorized" settlements, even under Israeli laws. According to "Yedioth Ahronoth" newspaper, the ministry's budget increased from 133 million shekels to 653 million shekels (40 million dollars to 200 million dollars) in just 7 months. Additionally, settlers established a new settlement west of the town of Beitir, Bethlehem district, only 1,640 yards away from the village's homes. According to the "Peace Now" foundation, the settlement is strategically important for settlers and aims to isolate the city from surrounding villages.
Crimes and Violations:
The number of Israeli incursions into Palestinian towns and cities in the West Bank reached 1,623 incursions during the month of December. This averages to 54 incursions per day, surpassing the rate in November, which was 1,345 incursions. These incursions are often accompanied by violent arrests, suppression, and shooting of any Palestinian present in the vicinity. Here are some specific incidents from these events:
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December 2: The Israeli army invaded the Balata and Al-Jadeed camps southeast of Nablus, as well as neighborhoods in the city of Nablus. Bulldozers dug up several streets, destroyed infrastructure, and raided several homes.
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December 3: An Israeli special force opened heavy fire on a vehicle killing two Palestinians. It further prevented the ambulance crew from aiding the wounded inside. On the same day the Israeli army invaded the city of Qalqilya.
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December 4: The Israeli forces invaded the home of the Al-Aqsa preacher, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri. The Israeli army also seized an agricultural tractor and a water tanker in the Umm Al-Abar area in the northern Jordan Valley, demolished six agricultural rooms in the town of Al-Ubeidiya east of Bethlehem to facilitate settlement operations and the expansion of the Be'ot colony. In Subastiyah, the forces destroyed the electricity network in the town, which is subjected to continuous invasions, attempting to control its historical landmarks. Additionally, the Israeli forces prevented the 50 recently freed Jerusalemite children, as part of the prisoners exchange, from Silwan, Al-Eisawiya, and Sur, from attending schools belonging to the municipality of Jerusalem.
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December 5: The Israeli forces, with more than 40 armored military vehicles, stormed the city of Jenin and its camp, fired heavy bullets and smoke bombs, injuring 7 citizens. They also raided several homes, using some as military points, arrested several Palestinians, and bombed the house of Saleem Abu Awad in the Sahah area in the Jenin camp, causing fires and extensive damage to the house. Israeli soldiers also attacked ambulance crews in the camp while trying to transport the wounded and patients. They surrounded the vicinity of Jenin Governmental Hospital and Ibn Sina Hospital, searched ambulance vehicles, prevented them from reaching hospitals, and bulldozers destroyed streets and infrastructure in various areas of the camp.
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December 7: The Israeli forces invaded the city of Ramallah and shut down an advertising and promotion press. In Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, the Israeli army raided the headquarters of Beit Ummar Orphan Care Association, seized the association's files and furniture (computers and electrical appliances), and closed it with iron plates. The association's director mentioned that it serves about 200 orphaned children, with 470 students attending the association's school.
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December 8: The Israeli forces invaded several villages and neighborhoods in the city of Hebron, neighborhoods and villages west of the city of Jenin, and multiple areas in the West Bank. The Israeli army also attacked the Far'a camp south of Tubas, as special forces infiltrated the camp followed by military reinforcements. Two young men were arrested and six killed, including a 14-year-old child. Furthermore, the Israeli forces seized several agricultural tractors in the northern Jordan Valley while working in the Wadi Al-Faw area. While in Jerusalem, the Israeli army attacked worshipers at the Asbat Gate in Jerusalem, preventing them from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers, imposing strict measures on their entry.
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December 10: The Israeli army invaded the city of Tubas, besieged a house and fired at it, leaving it to catch fire. The army also invaded several neighborhoods, - destroying the city’s infrastructure. The attack included hovering helicopters and snipers. In the Hebron area, the Israeli forces invaded several villages, including Halhul and Beit Awaa, and disrupted traffic through thorough searches of vehicles, while confiscated others.
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December 11: The Israeli forces invaded the headquarters of the Islamic Charity Association and its Al-Aqsa School in Beit Ula, northwest of Hebron, seized computers and private files, and shut down the association using shielding the door with electric welding.
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December 12: The Israeli army launched an aggression on the city of Jenin and its camp, resulting in the killing of 7 Palestinians. Over 100 Palestinians from Jenin were arrested, investigated on the ground, and some were released.
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December 14: Two Palestinians were killed, and 10 others were injured in the ongoing aggression on Jenin. An Israeli drone targeted the eastern neighborhood of the city, and forces fired “Energa” shells at several houses. The aggression continued for three days, with forces surrounding hospitals and hindering the arrival of the wounded. The Israeli forces also invaded the towns of Yamoun and Sila Al-Harithiya west of Jenin, causing injuries, making arrests, and destroying a café during inspection and shooting.
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December 18: The Israeli forces invaded the Al-Far'a camp south of Tubas at nine in the morning, deploying large military reinforcements. This was the second invasion operation in 10 days, resulting in the murder of 4 Palestinians, including a child. In the village of Majdal Bani Fadl south of Nablus, the forces demolished a house and destroyed a 6,1562 feet-long power network between the village and the town of Akkaba.
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December 20: The Israeli forces raided several areas in Nablus, including Balata camp, Beit Furik, Qaryut, and Al-Lubban Al-Sharqiya, raiding homes. They demolished a residential building under construction, a warehouse, and a vehicle repair workshop in the village of Na'lin, west of Ramallah. Additionally, the forces confiscated 10 cars, invaded 15 houses in Al-Lubban Al-Sharqiya village south of Nablus, and prevented Palestinians from planting olive saplings in the village of Asira Al-Shamaliya north of Nablus.
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December 21: The Israeli forces stormed Shuafat refugee camp north of Jerusalem, causing dozens of Palestinians to suffer from suffocation due to the heavy use of tear gas canisters.
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December 26: The Israeli army demolished several homes in the Nur Shams camp, shelled a residential building at the eastern entrance of Tulkarem, seized phones of some residents during home invasions, and posted pro-occupation slogans on social media accounts of these residents. Bulldozers destroyed walls of several homes, schools, and mosques in the camp, crushed vehicles, destroyed streets, and declared the camp a closed military zone. The Israeli forces also invaded areas, villages, and towns in the Jenin governorate, as well as multiple areas in the Qalqilya governorate. Additionally, five houses were demolished in Froush Beit Dajan east of Nablus, including those built before 1967, and three agricultural ponds were destroyed, leaving 70 Palestinians homeless.
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December 27: The Israeli forces invaded the Bab al-Rahma cemetery adjacent to the eastern wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque, completely closing it. They conducted filming and tours inside, and a settler invaded the cemetery, hanging a donkey's head on one of the graves. The Israeli army also raided five currency exchange shops in Ramallah, Halhul, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Jericho, confiscating millions of shekels, arresting some owners and employees, destroying the contents of the shops, and detonating safes. This raid was carried out based on the order of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, under the unfounded claim that these companies are "terrorist".
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December 31: Two Palestinians were injured due to an Israeli drone strike in Nur Shams camp, east of Tulkarem, and emergency crews were unable to transfer them to the hospital due to the site being surrounded. The forces also conducted raids and arrests in the camp. Meanwhile, Tulkarem city and its camp were invaded by a large number of military vehicles, and soldiers attacked workers inside a gas station in the Fawwar refugee camp.
Killed and Wounded:
In December, 7,072 Palestinians were killed, averaging 236 people killed per day, while 20,402 Palestinians were wounded, averaging 680 wounded per day. This increase in numbers continues amid the war on the Palestinian people in Gaza. However, since October 7, 2023, a report from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics revealed that over 22,000 Palestinians were killed, with 98% of them from Gaza. This is the largest toll witnessed in Palestine since 1948. The report also indicated that 40% of the killed Palestinians were children (about 90 thousand) and 30% were women (about 6,450 women).
In the West Bank, 319 murdered people, including 111 children and 4 women, were reported since October 7 and outlined in this section. The number of students killed reached 35 students and 271 injured, in addition to 82 arrested. The ministry also stated that two teachers and administrators were arrested by Israeli forces and more than 65 were arrested.
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December 2: The teenager Sharif Ahmad Al-Shaer (16 years old) from Jalameh, north-east of Jenin, succumbed to injuries sustained a month earlier. In the village of Tell west of Nablus, the child Yazan Akoubi (14 years old) was murdered after being shot by the Israeli army, and ambulance crews were prevented from providing assistance.
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December 3: The young man Adnan Issam Zaid (21 years old) was murdered by Israeli forces' gunfire during the invasion of Qalqilya city.
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December 4: 15 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces' gunfire, including 4 critically, during clashes in Qalandia camp and the town of Kafr Aqab north of Jerusalem. Later, the murder of Ali Ibrahim Alqam (32 years old) from Qalandia camp was announced after being injured during the camp's invasion. Additionally, two young men in Sa'ir, north-east of Hebron, were murdered: Mohammad Saadi Al-Froukh (22 years old) and Anas Ismail Al-Froukh (23 years old).
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December 5: Four Palestinians were injured in Dheisheh camp during the army’s raid on the camp, firing live bullets and tear gas. In Qalandia camp north of Jerusalem, Mohammed Youssef Mansara (25 years old) was murdered after the Israeli army blew up the door of the house he was standing behind, resulting in the fragmentation of his body.
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December 6: Two Palestinians were murdered, and 11 others were injured by the Israeli army's gunfire during the invasion of Al-Far'a camp and the town of Tamoun south of Tubas. On the same day, Ahmad Nazmi Ghanem (30 years old) succumbed to injuries sustained about a week earlier, raising the number of murdered people in Tulkarem governorate since October 7 to 44, including 19 Palestinians killed from Tulkarem camp. In Balata camp, the young man Abdel Nasser Mustafa Riahi (24 years old) was killed, succumbing to injuries from the Israeli army's bullets during the camp's morning invasion. Additionally, the child Omar Mahmoud Abu Bakr (16 years old) was killed by the army's bullets during the invasion of the town of Ya'bad west of Jenin.
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December 7: Awad Tayeh Amber (47 years old) succumbed to injuries sustained from the Israeli army's gunfire a week before this date.
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December 8: Four Palestinians were injured by the Israeli army's gunfire in the town of Hizma north of Jerusalem after the army besieged a mosque in the village.
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December 9: The murder of Rami Jamal Al-Jundi (25 years old) was announced after being injured during the Israeli army's invasion and aggression on Al-Far'a camp. Additionally, the child Mahmoud Basem Abu Heneia (17 years old) succumbed to injuries from the Israeli gunfire in Azun town east of Qalqilya.
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December 16: Hamza Ibrahim Bishkar (30 years old) was killed by the Israeli army's gunfire while he was near the town of Huwwara south of Nablus. Aziz Abdul-Rahim Aziz Khalil (20 years old) was murdered after being injured by the Israeli gunfire in Beit Ummar north of Hebron. In Deir al-Ghusun town north of Tulkarem, Salem Nasser Hajar (25 years old) was murdered after being injured by the Israeli army's gunfire. Moreover, Atallah Ziyad Bdeh (16 years old) was murdered in Deir Ammar camp west of Ramallah, succumbing to injuries from the Israeli bullets.
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December 18: The journalist Haneen Ali Al-Qashtan and her family were murdered in an airstrike targeting Al-Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of murdered journalists to 93 since the beginning of the war on Gaza until this date. Additionally, photojournalist Ramez Awad was shot by the Israeli forces during their continuous raid on the village of Jifna north of Ramallah.
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December 20: Young man Basel Al-Muhtasib (28 years old) was murdered by the Israeli forces while driving his vehicle near the Beit 'Anoun roundabout north of Hebron. The teenager Mahmoud Mohammad Zaaoul (16 years old) from the village of Husan was also murdered, and 11 others were injured, including 2 in the head and chest.
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December 26: A young man, Ibrahim Majed al-Titi (31 years old), and the child Ahmed Muhammad Yaghi (17 years old) were murdered in Al-Fawwar camp, south of Hebron.
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December 27: Six young men were targeted in the Nour Shams camp (Tulkarem area) by a drone, while the Israeli army hindered the arrival of ambulances to treat the injured causing their death. The six young men killed were: Ahmed Anwar Hamarsheh (19 years old), Ahmed Abdul Rahman Issa (19 years old), Adham Muhammad Fehmiawi (23 years old), Yazan Ahmed Wahid Fehmiawi (23 years old), Fares Husam Fehmiawi (29 years old), and Hamza Ahmed Mustafa Fehmiawi (17 years old). Another young man (24 years old) was critically injured in the head. Additionally, five Palestinians were injured as a result of a drone strike on a group of Palestinians in the Khalid ibn al-Walid area in the eastern neighborhood of Jenin.
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December 28: The young man Hazem Qatawi was murdered, and 14 Palestinians were injured during the Israeli forces' raid on Ramallah. In Nablus, the young man Tariq Shakhshir (21 years old) was murdered after being injured ten days before this date. In Bethlehem, the young man Muhammad Sayel Al-Jundi (38 years old) was murdered after being shot near the Tunnel Checkpoint in Bethlehem. Near the Mazmouria Checkpoint east of Bethlehem, the young man Ahmad Alian from the town of Jabal Mukaber was murdered.
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December 29: The child Abdul Fattah Abu Hussein (16 years old) from the Al-Fawwar camp, south of Hebron was murdered after being previously injured days before his murder. In Hebron, a child was shot in the leg with live ammunition. While in the town of Al-Eizariya, east of Jerusalem, Mahmoud Othman Mohammad Warani was murdered during the Israeli raid.
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December 31: The former Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the former preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Yousif Salama, was murdered in an Israeli airstrike on his house in the Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip. Members of his family were also injured in this bombardment.
Prisoners and Detainees:
During December, 1,339 Palestinians were arrested, averaging 45 arrests per day. In the previous month of November, 2,074 Palestinians were arrested, averaging 70 arrests per day. A report from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics indicated that the number of prisoners in Israeli prisons reached approximately 7,800 by the end of 2023, including 76 women and 260 children. The number of administrative detainees (held without charge) reached 2,870 detainees.
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December 5: Israeli forces arrested 38 Palestinians from the West Bank, including two women and workers from Gaza.
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December 6: Israeli forces arrested 19 workers from Gaza who were residing in the town of Far'un, south of Tulkarem.
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December 7: Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians in Bethlehem, including 3 workers from Gaza.
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December 8: Israeli forces arrested Sheikh Najeh Bakirat (Deputy Director of Islamic Endowments in Jerusalem) from his home in the village of Deir Salah east of Bethlehem. He is from the town of Sur Baher and has been banned from entering Jerusalem for five months.
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December 10: Israeli forces arrested 4 students from schools in the town of Beit Duqo northwest of Jerusalem, while they also arrested the head of the Anti-Wall and Settlement Resistance Authority in the northern West Bank, Mr. Murad Shtewi.
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December 12: The Israeli forces carried out a campaign of arrests affecting 50 Palestinians, including two women from the West Bank governorates.
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December 13: The Israeli army arrested the guards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Ihab Shahada and Mahmoud al-Safdi, taking them to the Eliyahu Police Station in the Old City, under the claim of detaining a Jewish tourist.
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December 17: The leadership prisoner Marwan al-Barghouthi continued to be isolated for the second consecutive week, and the prison administration transferred him from Ofer Prison and isolated him in an undisclosed location.
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December 18: The Israeli army arrested two young men from 'Aqabah north of Tubas. In Aida Camp north of Bethlehem, the Israeli army arrested Bahaa Ismail Mansour, the president of the Aida Youth Club, and Munther 'Amira, an activist in the resistance against the wall and settlements.
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December 21: The Israeli army arrested 31 Palestinians from the West Bank, including 3 children.
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December 25: The Israeli army arrested 17 workers and a merchant from Jenin, interrogated them, and transferred them detention in the Huwwara Camp south of Nablus.
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December 26: The Israeli forces arrested 17 citizens from the city of Hebron. The Palestinian leader Khalida Jarrar was also arrested after her house in Al-Bireh was raided.
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December 27: The Israeli forces arrested a guard from Al-Aqsa Mosque, Muhammad Al-Iyoubi.
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December 30: The Israeli army arrested 14 Palestinians from the Jalazone Camp north of Ramallah.
Aggression on Gaza - Daily Monitoring:
The war continued for its third month with the death toll reaching 21,822 Palestinians, including 9,000 children, 6,450 women, 312 medical personnel, 40 civil defense members, 106 journalists, and 136 UN employees; and an additional estimate of 7,000 Palestinians missing. An estimated number of displaced individuals in the sector is 1.9 million refugees living in dire conditions, facing famine, severe cold, and the spread of diseases and epidemics amid the collapse of the health sector. According to the United Nations Office, the number of confirmed cases of injured in the Gaza Strip as of December 27th was around 55,243.
In December alone, 6,753 Palestinians were killed, averaging to 225 Palestinians killed per day, while 20,402 Palestinians were wounded, averaging 680 wounded per day. It is estimated that 40% of the Palestinians killed were children (about 9 thousand) and 30% were women (about 6,450 women). Approximately 900,000 children in shelters suffer from drought, famine, diseases, and anemia. Furthermore, and according to the Palestinian Ministry of Education, since the start of the Israeli aggression on October 7th in Gaza, 3,679 students have been murdered, and 5,429 have been injured. The ministry also stated that 209 teachers and administrators were murdered, and 619 were injured in Gaza. It was emphasized that 278 government schools and 65 UNRWA schools were targeted and damaged in Gaza, with 83 suffering severe damage and 7 being completely destroyed.
As for Women, there are 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza struggling without water ad food. Ashraf al-Qudra, the spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, stated that 180 displaced women give birth daily in unsafe conditions. One should also mention that patients with chronic illnesses, are not getting treatment due to displacement and bombings. As an example, 70% of kidney failure patients face health risks.
The Mediterranean Observatory called revealed that the Israeli army arrested hundreds of Palestinians from the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, including women who were taken to the Yarmouk Stadium. The Israeli soldiers removed their headscarves, searched them, and various women were subjected to explicit harassment, beating, and abuse. While minor boys under the age of 10 were forced to undress completely, except for their underwear. These measures were replicated from the previous Israeli arrest conducted at Jabalia camp. These detainees undergo initial investigation while they are naked and being subjected to severe torture. After which, some detainees are killed, others are released, while others are transferred to unknown detention camps inside Israel.
In terms of infrastructure, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reported that the war on Gaza destroyed approximately one-fifth of the agricultural lands in the Strip. As of December 13, 2023, data indicates that 18% of the agricultural areas in the Gaza Strip were affected, with the most significant direct damage in the northern provinces reaching 39%.
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December 1: The humanitarian ceasefire, lasting 7 days, ended, leading to renewed attacks on Gaza from land, sea, and air. The bombardment resulted in casualties, with 32 murdered people, mostly children and women, after the Israeli attack destroyed Halima Mosque in Khan Yunis. Three houses in Bureij camp were targeted, and airstrikes hit Shuja'iya and Zaytoun in eastern Gaza. More than 178 Palestinians were murdered within 13 hours of the resumption of the Israeli aggression.
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December 2: Intense attacks continued on Gaza from land, air, and sea, causing a massacre in Jabalia camp where over 100 murdered people fell victim to the complete destruction of a populated building. Over 200 people were murdered throughout Gaza on this day.
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December 3: The Israeli army expanded its war on Gaza, penetrating deeper into Khan Yunis, resulting in over 70 Palestinian casualties, mostly children and women. Additionally, 26 Palestinians were killed during the shelling of homes in Rafah. While in the north, Israeli shelling targeted Kamal Adwan hospital's gate, leading to casualties and hindering burials due to the severity of the attacks.
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December 4: Over 30 Palestinians were murdered in the shelling of populated houses in Zaytoun and Shuja'iya in eastern Gaza. More than 50 Palestinians were murdered, and hundreds were injured in Israeli airstrikes on two schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza City.
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December 5: Israeli forces targeted Khan Yunis, Nusairat camp, and the vicinity of Kamal Adwan hospital, resulting in over 50 casualties. Electricity was cut off at Kamal Adwan hospital, housing around 7,000 displaced individuals. Only four hospitals in northern Gaza remained operational.
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December 6: Six Palestinians were killed by aid raids of homes in Nusairat camp, in addition to three Palestinians killed in the camp west of Khan Yunis. Artillery shelling continued on various Gaza neighborhoods, in addition to phosphorus and smoke bombs in Jabalia camp.
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December 7: At least 17 Palestinians were murdered, and dozens were injured in the aerial bombardment of a house in Maghazi camp. Abu Hussain School in Jabalia was shelled, and phosphorus bombs were used in Jabalia camp. The historic Othman ibn Affan Mosque in Gaza City was bombed.
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December 8: Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes and artillery shelling across Gaza, causing extensive damage to infrastructure. The media blackout allowed the Israeli forces to commit crimes against civilians, including attacks on shelters. The Yemen Al-Saeed hospital, hosting displaced individuals, was bombed.
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December 9: Minister of Public Works and Housing Muhammad Ziara reported that over 25% of urban areas in Gaza were completely wiped off the map, with approximately a quarter of a million housing units destroyed. More than 30% of infrastructure was destroyed, which include roads, water and sewage networks, electricity lines, communication, along with thousands of educational, health, and religious facilities.
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December 10: Ten Palestinians were murdered, and dozens were injured in an Israeli airstrike on a house in Khan Yunis, mainly children. The European Hospital in Khan Yunis was shelled by Israeli artillery. Fierce airstrikes targeted Deir al-Balah and the camps of Nusairat, Maghazi, and Zawaida in central Gaza. Several areas in northern Gaza were also hit. A total of 208 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army and 416 injured.
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December 12: The siege on Jabalia camp continued for the eighth day, forcing 5,000 displaced individuals in two schools to evacuate. Twenty Palestinians were killed by Israeli shelling of homes in Rafah, with several Palestinians still missing under the rubble. Fifteen Palestinians, including children and women, were murdered in the shelling of a house in Sheikh Radwan, north of Gaza City. Israeli planes destroyed ten houses in Dair al-Balah, causing numerous casualties. A total of 217 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army and 455 injured.
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December 13: Dozens of Palestinians, including children and women, were killed, and others were injured in the targeting of homes. Israeli forces invaded Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza after days of siege and bombing. Hospital director Ahmed Al-Kahlout was arrested, and medical teams were detained or forced to gather patients and staff in one building, evacuating other structures. A total of 196 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army and 499 injured.
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December 14: Israeli forces executed two families by gunfire inside one of the shelters affiliated with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Jabalia camp, northern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces continued their air, sea, and ground attacks, shelling and destroying homes in various governorates of the Gaza Strip, resulting in dozens of murdered people and injuries. Many are still missing under the rubble. Israeli planes also targeted Abu Hussain School, affiliated with UNRWA in Jabalia, leading to the murder of at least 25 citizens, mostly from the Abu Ouda and Kafarna families displaced from Beit Hanoun. The attacks affected different areas in the Gaza Strip, causing numerous casualties, hundreds of injuries, and the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. A total of 179 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army and 303 injured.
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December 15: Israel shelled various areas in the Gaza Strip killing and injuring hundreds of Palestinians, with limited information due to the shutdown of telecommunication and internet services. The aerial, artillery, and naval bombardment focused on Gaza City and its neighborhoods and camps. Israeli airstrikes targeted a school housing displaced persons in Khan Yunis, resulting in five killed Palestinians and several injuries. The Israeli Air Force also shelled a residential square near Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza, killing and injuring dozens of Palestinians. Internet and communication services remained completely cut off for the following day in central and southern Gaza and parts of Gaza City due to Israeli bombardment.
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December 16: The Israeli forced completely destroyed the southern part of Kamal Adwan Hospital, which had been under siege for 8 continuous days. Internet and communication services were cut off since December 14 for the fifth time since October 7th. The bombardment targeted various areas in Gaza, killing dozens and injuring hundreds of Palestinians.
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December 17: Dozens of civilians were killed, and hundreds were injured by aerial, ground, and naval bombardments of various areas in Gaza. At least 20 Palestinians were killed in the Israeli Air Force bombing of several houses in the old town of Gaza City, the vicinity of the Baptist Hospital, and the Grand Omar Mosque. One story in particular, was of two women taking refuge at the Church and were killed by a sniper. While at least 90 people were killed and dozens were injured in a new massacre committed by Israeli forces in Jabalia, north of Gaza.
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December 18: On the 73rd day of the war on Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians were killed and injured. The Israeli forces carried out multiple raids on various areas in the Gaza Strip, killing dozens, most of whom were children and women. The Israeli army conducted several atrocious crimes in Jabalia, the first killing more than 90 Palestinians, while an equal number remained under the rubble; and the second targeted a residential square for the Barsh and Alwan families, killing more than 30. Furthermore, a citizen was murdered, and others were injured in the shelling that targeted the Nasser al-Deis complex in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.
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December 19: Israeli planes and artilleries continued shelling various areas in the Gaza Strip, killing 200 Palestinians, mostly children and women. The Israeli shelling focused on Rafah and Khan Yunis in the southern parts of the Strip. At least 25 citizens were killed, including the journalist Adel Zorob, in airstrikes targeting three houses owned by the Zaarab, Atiya, and Abdel Aal families. Five children were murdered in a reconnaissance missile strike, four siblings from the Abu Ghazal family and a fifth unidentified child in the Hasayna area west of the Nuseirat camp. Dozens of Palestinians were murdered in a new massacre targeting a residential block in Jabalia. The internet and telecommunication remain cut off jeopardizing the already constrained life-saving services.
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December 20: The war continued for its 75th day, witnessing intense shelling of various areas in the Gaza Strip, especially in Jabalia and Khan Yunis. Local and health officials in the Strip confirmed that Israeli forces executed more than 13 people in the home of the Anan family in front of children and women, north of Gaza. The bombing of a house in Deir al-Balah (central Gaza) killed 13 Palestinians, while 15 Palestinians were killed (and others injured) from the bombing of the Hamdan family's house west of Khan Yunis, (southern Gaza). More than 40 Palestinians were murdered, and dozens were injured in Israeli airstrikes on Khan Yunis and Rafah cities. Internet and communication services continue to be shut down. A total of 390 Palestinians were killed and another 734 people were injured in the past two days.
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December 21: Israeli forces forcibly displaced Palestinians from an area covering 20% of Khan Yunis. Dozens were murdered and hundreds of Palestinians were injured, mostly children and women. Aerial, naval, and ground bombardment continued in various areas of the Strip. Many wounded patients lost their lives at the Shifa Hospital due to the hospital's cessation of operations and its disablement. Around 800 thousand Palestinians in the northern areas of the Strip were deprived of medical services. The Israeli occupation also invaded the Red Crescent ambulance center in Jabalia and arrested its crews.
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December 22: Dozens of people were murdered and injured in continuous shelling on various areas of the Gaza Strip. A young man was murdered in an Israeli drone airstrike while riding a motorcycle in Khan Yunis, south of the Strip. A number of people were murdered, and others were injured due to intense Israeli artillery shelling targeting Jabalia in the north of the Strip. Rescue teams managed to retrieve 16 murdered people and more than 50 wounded from the Barsh family after the Israeli army targeted their house in Old Gaza Street in Jabalia. Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes on Block 1 and Block 2 in the Jabalia camp, north of the Gaza Strip, while the Israeli artillery shelled the eastern areas of the Bureij camp in the central part of the Strip. At least 18 Palestinians were murdered in the shelling of a house in the Nusseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip. Journalist Mohammad Khalifa, was among those who were killed, along with his family.
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December 23: The Israeli army continued to target homes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in dozens of killed and injured Palestinians, mostly children and women. Exact numbers are unclear due to the shut down of communications and internet. However, intensive shelling took place in the eastern areas of Rafah, various parts of Khan Yunis, the areas of Al-Maghraqa and Al-Zahraa in central Gaza, as well as the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood and the Jurn area in Jabalia town, north of Gaza City. The Israeli forces also targeted two houses in Deir al-Balah. Meanwhile, the army prevented ambulance crews in various areas of Gaza City from reaching the bodies of killed and injured Palestinians by surrounding the ambulances belonging to the Red Crescent and arresting eight of its staff. The most atrocious of crimes is towards four pregnant women, were they were gunned down, ran over by a bulldozer and then left unburied along with other corpses in the vicinity of the Indonesian Hospital in Tel al-Zaatar, north of Gaza.
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December 24: The Israeli occupation forces continued their airstrikes and shelling on various areas in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the murder of many children and women estimated at killing of 166 Palestinians and the injury of 384 others. Warplanes and artilleries, including phosphorus and smoke bombs, targeted Palestinian homes in Jabalia town and Jurn area. The artillery expanded its shelling to wide areas, targeting houses in the eastern part of the central governorate. Israeli forces also raided the Rafah school, arrested several young men and forcibly expelled women.
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December 25: The war on the Gaza Strip continued for the 80th day, and intensifying on Christmas day. Israeli forces persisted in their airstrikes on several areas in the Strip, with a focus on the central and southern regions, resulting in the injury and murder of dozens, mostly children and women, while in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip Israeli airstrikes were renewed with a devastating night for the residents of the Strip. A massacre occurred in the Maghazi and Bureij camps, claiming the lives of about 95 Palestinians. The Israeli warplanes and artillery targeted an entire residential block in Maghazi, targeting innocent civilians in their homes, in addition to displaced people from the northern areas of the Strip. Many remain under the rubble, some injured and others murdered. The courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, is filled with the bodies of murdered Palestinians awaiting burial after intense Israeli airstrikes on the area.
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December 26: On the 81st day of the war on Gaza, dozens of residents were murdered and injured due to Israeli airstrikes and shelling. It is estimated that 858 Palestinians were killed and 1,598 were injured between 23 and 26-December. In Khan Yunis, 10 Palestinians were murdered following an airstrike targeting a house in the southern part of the Strip. Israeli airstrikes also hit Juhr al-Deek and Bani Suhaila in the south of the Strip, in addition to the eastern and northern areas of Gaza. Displaced people were injured through artillery shelling targeting the Palestinian Red Crescent Association headquarters in Khan Yunis, which houses thousands of displaced Palestinians. The health situation worsens as airstrikes and shelling continue to target hospitals, ambulances and health staff. Teams are prevented from entering the targeted areas with absolutely no safe areas within the Strip. Israel further ordered 150 thousand people to flee south, but then bombed the locations marked as safe zones.
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December 27: The war on the Palestinian people in Gaza continued for the 82nd day. A total of 195 Palestinians were reportedly killed and 325 people were injured, mostly children and women. Airstrikes targeted the central region of the Strip, especially the Bureij and Maghazi camps, in addition to east of Rafah, Al-Fakhari, and the eastern regions of Khan Yunis (south), Gaza City, particularly the Shuja'iya and Tuffah neighborhoods (north), and then Beit Lahia and the Jabalia camp. Some of the specific targets included: a house in the Katiba area, shelling of a three-storey residential building near Al-Azhar University – with 60 Palestinians missing as a result, and the targeting of Al-Amal Hospital, affiliated with the Red Crescent – killing 18 Palestinians. The Israeli raids and shelling reached the shelters of displaced Palestinians, leaving tens of unburied bodies given the rescue efforts were hindered by the intense bombing.
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December 28: The war on the Palestinian people continued for the 83rd consecutive day with 16 massacres committed against entire families, resulting in 195 killed and 325 injured in the past 24 hours. The shelling targeted Deir al-Balah and the Maghazi camp in central Gaza, resulting in dozens of murdered and injured people. Some of the specific airstrike targets include: a civilian car transporting wounded individuals in Deir al-Balah killing all its occupants, a house in Nuseirat Camp (Central Gaza) killing seven people and most atrocious was a horrific massacre near the Al-Amal Hospital, claiming the lives of at least 31 people.
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December 29: A total of 187 Palestinians were killed and another 312 were injured on that day. Israeli warplanes and artillery continued to shell wide areas in Khan Yunis, specifically its eastern region. In Rafah city to the south, dozens of citizens were murdered and injured due to the Israeli shelling of the Diab family home in the Shabora camp. In central Gaza, Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on the Maghazi camp, resulting in the murder of 14 Palestinians in at least two house bombings, in addition to the shelling of the Za'farani Mosque in the camp. Furthermore, Israeli helicopters fired machine guns towards the homes of citizens in the central area. Medical sources reported the arrival of a martyr and several wounded individuals to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital from the Bureij camp in central Gaza. An Israeli drone targeted a house with a missile near the Martyrs' Mosque in the Nuseirat camp, coinciding with the Israeli navy launching heavy machine gun fire on the camp's coast in central Gaza. Israeli forces also opened fire on a convoy of aid belonging to UNRWA.
One of the most tragic cases, was the execution of the elderly Kamel Mahmoud Noufal, 65 years old, after raiding his home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. He was shot in cold blood while attempting to protect his deaf and mute disabled children, wife, and grandchildren by explaining to the soldiers attacking the house the nature of the disabilities. He was executed in front of his family, consisting of 23 members.
The Euro-Mediterranean Observatory stated that the Israeli army allows its soldiers in Gaza to steal and loot properties, including money, gold, mobile phones, and computers.
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December 30: The war on the Palestinian people continued for the 85th consecutive day with a total of 165 Palestinians were killed, and another 250 people were injured on that day. The eastern border of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip witnessed intense artillery shelling, while Israeli warships heavily fired shells on the beaches of Gaza, its central region, and the south. Israel’s artillery continued to shell the eastern part of the Bureij camp in central Gaza, which witnessed four days of intensive air and ground bombardment, resulting in dozens of killed and injured people. This forced citizens to evacuate towards Deir al-Balah. Israeli tanks also fired several shells in the middle of the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Additionally, warplanes carried out a series of violent airstrikes on the city of Khan Yunis in the south, resulting in the murder of a citizen and the injury of another due to the shelling of the Al-Aqad family home southeast of Khan Yunis. Four citizens were murdered, and others were injured in the Israeli reconnaissance plane's airstrike around the European Hospital in Khan Yunis. The World Health Organization expressed deep concern about the increasing risk of infectious diseases spreading in Gaza due to the continued massive displacement of people along the southern part of the Strip. Some families were forced to flee more than once, seeking refuge in many crowded health facilities. Sixty-eight citizens were murdered in the shelling of the Zaytoun neighborhood in central Gaza and around Al-Aqsa University in the city.
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December 31: Dozens of residents, mostly children and women, were murdered and injured as operations targeted three mosques: the Muhajireen Mosque, the Sahaba Mosque in Maghazi, and the Furqan Mosque in the Hikr area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Different areas of the Strip were subjected to air, ground, and sea shelling as part of the ongoing war on the Palestinian people in Gaza for the 86th consecutive day.