Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and early Sunday killed at least 20 people, including five children, according to Palestinian medical officials. Israeli authorities permitted Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, to enter Gaza and lead a pre-Christmas Mass for the small Christian community there. A strike on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City killed at least eight people, including three children, the Gaza Health Ministry reported. Earlier, the Civil Defense, affiliated with Gaza's Hamas-run government, stated that four children were among the dead. The Israeli military claimed it conducted a targeted strike on Hamas militants sheltering at the school. In the central city of Deir al-Balah, a Saturday night strike on a home killed eight people, including three women and two children, as confirmed by Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. In the southern city of Khan Younis, a man and his wife were killed just after midnight on Sunday, according to Nasser Hospital. A car strike in Gaza City claimed two lives, the Health Ministry said. There was no immediate response from the Israeli military on these strikes. More than 14 months into the war between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces have continued daily strikes in Gaza. Israel maintains that it targets militants, accusing them of hiding among civilians, though bombings often result in the deaths of women and children. The ongoing violence has stalled ceasefire talks, which reportedly include a potential agreement for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Despite several obstacles, indirect negotiations continue. Cardinal Pizzaballa led a Mass at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, attended by dozens of worshippers. The celebration featured a Christmas tree adorned with golden ornaments and altar boys holding candles. "For Christmas, we celebrate the light, and we are wondering where the light is. This is one of the places where the light is," Pizzaballa said during the service. However, the Mass was accompanied by the persistent hum of Israeli drones overhead. The visit came a day after Pope Francis criticized Israel's actions in Gaza. Addressing his annual Christmas greetings at the Vatican, the pope condemned the bombing of children, calling it cruelty and stating, "This is not war." Pope Francis recently called for an investigation into whether Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide, a claim supported by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The International Court of Justice is also examining genocide allegations filed by South Africa. Since Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 250, Israel has conducted relentless airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 45,000 people have died, more than half of them women and children. The destruction has displaced 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, with many forced into overcrowded tent camps along the coast. The onset of cold, wet winter conditions has exacerbated their suffering. Israel has intensified its operations in northern Gaza, an area now heavily isolated and devastated. Tens of thousands of residents have fled, while humanitarian aid remains scarce. The Israeli military body overseeing Gaza's civilian affairs, known as COGAT, reported facilitating the evacuation of over 100 patients and caregivers from Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals in northern Gaza. — Agencies
