Live Updates: West Bank, Gaza Christians pray for peace amid Israeli attacks

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

06:40 GMT –– West Bank, Gaza Christians pray for peace amid Israeli attacks

The West Bank city of Bethlehem is gearing up to observe Christmas without its customary festive displays for the second consecutive year due to Israel’s deadly war on Gaza.

The city, including the Church of the Nativity, believed to be built on the grotto where Jesus Christ was born, lacks any celebratory atmosphere. Instead, prayers and calls for an end to the Israeli war on Gaza have replaced the usual festivities.

Typically, at this time of year, Bethlehem's streets, alleys, and churches are adorned with Christmas decorations, with one of the world’s most beautiful Christmas trees erected in Manger Square near the famous church. The city also usually bustles with tourists during the holiday season.

06:00 GMT — Israel kills seven Palestinians

Israel has killed at least seven Palestinians and wounded several others across besieged Gaza.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency that six Palestinians were killed and scores of others wounded when an Israeli warplane targeted a home in Jabalia al-Nazla in northern Gaza.

A medical source told Anadolu that a Palestinian was killed in an Israeli air strike that targeted the top floor of a building near the Jabalia bus station east of the city.

05:21 GMT — Palestinian death toll in occupied West Bank rises to 8

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that an ongoing assault by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank has resulted in eight fatalities, including two women.

The Ramallah-based ministry said seven were killed in the Tulkarem refugee camp and one in the nearby Nur Shams camp after the military launched a brutal raid.

Two women — Khawla Ali Abdullah Abdo, 53, and Bara Khalid Hussein, 30 — were among those killed in Tulkarem, the ministry said.

04:53 GMT — Israeli army detonates explosive robots near Gaza hospital

The Israeli military detonated two explosive-laden robots near the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, causing loud explosions heard as far as Gaza City, witnesses told Anadolu Agency.

Due to the intensity of Israeli fire in the area, details remain unavailable.

04:20 GMT — Saudi Arabia hails UN resolution seeking ICJ opinion on Israeli obligations to facilitate aid to Palestinians

The Saudi Cabinet has welcomed the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel's obligations to facilitate humanitarian aid to Palestinians from the United Nations, states, and international organisations.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the session held in Riyadh.

In this context, the Cabinet praised the UN resolution and the positive stance of nations that supported it.

For our live updates from Tuesday, December 24, 2024, click here.