Medical staff in Gaza said at least 10 people were killed, including 5 journalists, and more than 10 others were injured in Israeli air strikes on Gaza early on the morning of December 26 (local time). The Israeli side has not commented on the incident. In a separate incident on December 25, five journalists from Al-Quds Today television channel died when their car was attacked near Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat (Gaza).
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they attacked the vehicle in a “targeted” manner, and accused the TV channel of having ties to the Islamic Jihad organization. In response, Al-Quds Today condemned the incident and asserted that the victims were on media and humanitarian missions at the time of the attack.
The scene of the attack on the Al-Quds Today TV channel vehicle in Gaza
Regarding peace talks, on December 25, Hamas and Israel blamed each other for not reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. According to Reuters, citing a statement from Hamas, Israel has imposed new conditions and hindered the unification of content in the previous ceasefire agreement, while affirming that this force has always shown flexibility and seriousness. in negotiations.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas’s statements, accusing the group of self-destructing the ceasefire conditions that had been achieved. Mr. Netanyahu affirmed that Israel will continue efforts to rescue hostages. Mr. Israel Katz, Israel’s Defense Minister, announced on December 25 that the IDF would remain in Gaza and maintain “security control”.
In Syria, AFP reported that at least 14 Interior Ministry employees of the interim government were killed in battles with forces loyal to the ousted government in the Tartus region (northwestern Syria) on December 25. Syria’s interim Interior Minister Mohammed Abdel Rahman said the tragedy took place while officials were carrying out tasks to maintain security and protect civilians in the area. On the same day, SANA news agency reported that Syrian police announced a nighttime curfew in the city of Homs after unrest related to protests allegedly by members of the minority religious community. Alawite and Shi’ite Muslim leadership.
Israel established a military station in the Syrian buffer zone
On December 25, the IDF announced that it would establish temporary military posts inside the buffer zone monitored by the United Nations in the Golan Heights, southern Syria. According to The Times of Israel, this move is intended to ensure military operations during the winter months. The IDF said these posts will be dismantled when the army is ordered to withdraw from the buffer zone.
