In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian child during a raid in Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also seize a road roller and a water tanker during a raid in al-Masara. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seize several vehicles during a raid in Bayt Liqya. Israeli forces also arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Tubas, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Jerusalem. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Beit Hanun, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, Beit Lahiya, Jabalia refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, and Khan Yunis, killing at least 46 people, including 20 in an attack on an UNRWA school in Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also storm an UNRWA school in Beit Hanun, reportedly killing 43 people and forcibly evicting the survivors. An Israeli strike on Nuseirat refugee camp also kills Al Jazeera journalist Ahmad Baker al-Louh and 3 members of the Civil Defense, including its local leader. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Deir ez-Zor, Tartus, and Hama. Israeli forces also block a road between Quneitra and Daraa. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/15; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, NYT, REU 12/16; UNOCHA 12/17)
More than 44,976 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,500 children and 11,487 women, and around 106,759 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 10,000 people are missing in rubble. 813 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 170 children. More than 6,500 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 384 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,485 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. 87% of all housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged since 10/7/2023. (WAFA 12/15)
The Israeli cabinet approves a plan to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, allocating $11 million to double the settler population there. Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE condemn the plan, with the UAE saying it “threatens further escalation and tension in the region.” Germany calls on Israel to abandon its plan. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU 12/15; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT 12/16)
Israel says it will close its embassy in Ireland because the Irish government has “extreme anti-Israel policies” and “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.” Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar calls Irish prime minister Simon Harris anti-Semitic. Prime Minister Harris says in response to Israel’s decision to close the embassy that “I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and pro-international law.” Ireland’s embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv will remain open. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU 12/15; REU 12/16)
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump speaks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call. The 2 discuss developments in Syria and negotiations to release the Israeli captives held in Gaza, according to a statement by Netanyahu. (AJ, HA, REU 12/15; AP, HA, REU 12/16)