Approximately 27,000 Deaths in Gaza Strip
“War is Not Over”
The Israeli military’s attack on the Palestinian Gaza Strip continued even on Christmas resulting in 250 deaths overnight.
According to Reuters on the 25th (local time), the Gaza Strip Health Department governed by the Palestinian armed group Hamas stated, “250 people died and 500 were injured within 24 hours” and “So far, approximately 27,000 residents of the Gaza Strip have died.”
The night before Christmas Eve the Israeli military bombed the Al Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza resulting in at least 70 deaths. Ashraf Al Qudra a spokesperson for the Gaza Strip Health Department stated, “A significant number of those who died in Al Maghazi were women and children” and “The casualty count may increase.”
Additionally, 23 people died in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes. Eight people also died in Al Bureij and Al Nuseirat near Al Maghazi.
Pope Francis in his Christmas message referred to children dying in wars including in the Gaza Strip as “today’s little Jesuses” and said, “Innocent civilians are suffering tremendous sacrifices due to Israel’s airstrikes.”
Amidst the increasing civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at continuing the war with Hamas. He emphasized to members of his ruling Likud party, “The war is not over” and “Without military pressure from Israel, we will not succeed in releasing the remaining hostages.”
By. Ah Hyeon Jeon
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