A burst of violence during the Christmas season in Gaza resulted in an explosion that injured an Israeli soldier, leading to accusations of ceasefire violations by Hamas. On Christmas Eve, Israeli attacks across Gaza left at least one Palestinian dead and six others, including a child, wounded. Despite threats from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Christians in Gaza faced a somber Christmas, contrasting with the festivities in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The Christian community in Gaza experienced a subdued Christmas, with the sound of bombardment echoing through the night. Many churches in Gaza either scaled down or canceled Christmas events, opting for small private gatherings within church premises. Tragically, a Palestinian man was killed, and two others were injured in Jabalia due to Israeli forces’ actions on Christmas Eve, further straining the fragile ceasefire.
The explosive device detonation in southern Gaza’s Rafah injured an Israeli soldier, prompting Netanyahu to vow retaliation. Hamas denied responsibility, claiming the device was leftover by Israeli forces in an area under their control. Despite ongoing tensions, efforts to uphold the ceasefire continued as Israeli officials met with mediators in Cairo to discuss the return of an Israeli captive’s remains from Gaza.
Hamas insisted on arms surrender only after the establishment of a Palestinian state, a condition Israel rejects. Netanyahu’s upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump aims to address the next phase of the Gaza plan, which includes disarmament of Hamas and further Israeli troop withdrawals. As negotiations progress, challenges intensify, including the deployment of an international stabilisation force and the formation of a governing body for Gaza.
Israel’s military refuted Hamas’s claim, with Netanyahu condemning the Gaza explosion as a breach of the ceasefire and vowing a proportional response. Previous Israeli strikes in Gaza were in reaction to alleged ceasefire violations, highlighting the delicate balance in the region.