The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has said it cannot deliver meaningful aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid heavy Israeli bombardment. Despite the UN Security Council’s recent call for increased access to aid delivery, Israeli forces have intensified attacks on the besieged enclave, effectively hindering ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the hunger-stricken population.
Bethlehem Pastor Munther Isaac urged an end to what he describes as genocide, leading to the cancellation of Christmas celebrations in churches across Palestine. The death of journalist Ahmad Jamal Al Madhoun in Gaza brought the journalist death toll to 103, according to the government media office in Gaza.
Israeli forces have killed more than 20,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded over 54,000 since 7 October. At least 166 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza due to Israeli bombing in the past 24 hours. The revised death toll from the attack on Israel carried out by Palestinian resistance groups stands at 1,139. The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing Balakrishnan Rajagopal attributed the events in Gaza to ‘institutionalised impunity,’ encompassing war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Rajagopal proposed a special tribunal for Gaza if the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not act soon.
Since the UN Security Council resolution on Friday, central Gaza has witnessed a surge in aerial bombardments by Israeli forces. Overnight, residential areas in Deir el-Balah city faced heavy Israeli bombardment, leading to evacuations and destruction of homes. The search for survivors under the rubble is ongoing.
Along the eastern side of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military is continuing aggressive actions, including the razing of agricultural lands and destroying homes in various neighbourhoods.