In one of the deadliest nights of the ongoing conflict, Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the tragic deaths of over 100 people, marking a grim escalation in the 11-week-old battle between Israel and Hamas. As the world observed Christmas, the streets of Gaza were filled with mourning instead of celebrations, with residents reeling from the relentless violence.
Palestinian health officials reported that a significant strike targeted Maghazi in the center of the besieged territory, leading to a mass funeral where residents somberly carried white shrouds containing the bodies of the deceased. Among the dead were at least 70 individuals from the Maghazi strike alone, many of whom were women and children, according to Ashraf Al-Qidra, a health ministry spokesperson. The sorrow was palpable as one man recounted the horror of the strike, "The walls and the curtains fell on us...I reached down to my four-year-old child but all I found were rocks."
The airstrikes, which began hours before midnight and persisted into the early hours of Monday, have not only devastated central Gaza but also impacted nearby areas like al-Bureij and al-Nusseirat. Israeli planes and tanks conducted dozens of airstrikes on houses and roads, leading to more fatalities. In southern Gaza, Khan Younis was also hit, bringing the total Palestinian fatalities overnight to over 100.
Pope Francis, in his Christmas message, lamented the loss of life in the conflict, referring to the children dying in wars, including Gaza, as the "little Jesuses of today." He decried the Israeli strikes for reaping an "appalling harvest" of innocent civilians.
Despite the ongoing conflict, some of Gaza's small Christian community attempted to find respite and celebrate Christmas. However, the pervasive sense of loss and the harsh reality of the conflict made it a solemn observance rather than a joyous celebration.
The Israeli airstrikes have not only caused immediate loss of life and destruction but have also exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With infrastructure in ruins and a population enduring shortages of water, food, fuel, and medicine, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. The international community's calls for a ceasefire and urgent humanitarian aid reflect the growing concern over the dire circumstances faced by the civilians in Gaza.
As the conflict continues, the world watches with a heavy heart, hoping for a resolution that will bring peace to the region and an end to the suffering of its people.
