Hamas Says: Israeli Airstrike in Southern Gaza Left 20 Dead

The Health Ministry of Gaza, controlled by Hamas, announced on Thursday, December 28, that an Israeli airstrike on the city of Rafah in the southern part of this densely populated strip resulted in the deaths of 20 Palestinians and injuries to 55 others. The Gaza Health Ministry had previously reported that Israel's 24-hour attacks had led to the deaths of 210 Palestinian residents of Gaza. Hamas claims that since the beginning of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, over 21,000 Palestinians have been killed, but does not provide figures for the number of militants killed. The Persian section of Voice of America cannot independently verify the statistics provided by Hamas. Israel began its bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip following a Hamas militant attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The country has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilians and public facilities such as hospitals and schools as human shields, a claim that Hamas denies. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. In central Gaza, following several days of heavy airstrikes and the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinian families, reports indicate the advance of Israeli tanks. According to Reuters, a Palestinian journalist published images of Israeli tanks near a mosque in the Bureij camp, indicating the advance of Israeli armored forces from the eastern outskirts of the area. In southern Gaza, the Israeli army targeted areas around a hospital in central Khan Younis. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported the deaths of 10 people and injuries to 12 others due to Israeli bombardments in this area. Israel has intensified its attacks on Gaza in recent days despite U.S. calls for a reduction in intensity. The Israeli attacks on Gaza began following the October 15 terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 240 people as hostages. Reuters quoted an Israeli army spokesperson reporting that 110 hostages were released during a temporary ceasefire last month, and the deaths of 23 other hostages have been announced. In recent days, central Gaza has been the focal point of clashes, and as Israeli tanks approach the area, the Israeli army has ordered residents to evacuate. Tens of thousands of Palestinians left the Nuseirat, Bureij, and Maghazi camps towards the south or the western city of Deir al-Balah on the Mediterranean coast. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has warned that over 150,000 Palestinians, including children, women with infants, disabled individuals, and the elderly have nowhere to go. U.S. President Joe Biden warned in recent weeks that indiscriminate bombing in Gaza would jeopardize the sympathy of Israel's allies for the country. Washington has stated that Israel should shift from a full-scale ground invasion to a campaign targeting Hamas leaders. The Israeli army confirmed on Thursday the deaths of three more soldiers during the ground invasion of Gaza. Thus far, a total of 169 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives during the army's invasion of Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas. The Israeli army also expressed regret over the unintended deaths of Palestinians residing in the Maghazi camp during an attack on Hamas militants in the area on Sunday, December 24, stating that it would learn lessons from that incident. The Gaza Health Ministry, under Hamas control, reported that 70 Palestinians were killed in this attack. The article also mentions attacks on UN vehicles in southern Lebanon, ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, and Israel's announcement of attacks on Hamas funding sources in the West Bank. It includes claims from a spokesperson for the IRGC regarding the 'Al-Aqsa Storm' being a revenge for Qassem Soleimani, which Hamas denied. The article concludes with discussions about the ongoing heavy attacks by Israel in central and southern Gaza, a conversation between the U.S. President and the Emir of Qatar regarding the Gaza war, and statements from the Israeli army chief indicating that the Gaza war may last for months.