In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalize Palestinian property during a raid in Dahariya. Israeli settlers also set up a new outpost near Bardala. Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians during a raid in Yatma, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also arrest a Jordanian doctor who had been part of a medical relief delegation in Gaza at the Allenby Bridge crossing. PA forces clash with resistance fighters in Jenin. 1 PA soldier and 3 members of the resistance are reportedly killed. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Beit Safafa. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, al-Mawasi, Jabalia refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Beit Lahiya, and Dayr al-Balah, killing at least 32 people. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa enters Gaza to hold mass in the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Kfar Kila. In Syria, Israeli forces arrest 2 people in al-Baath. In Yemen, 2 U.S. fighter pilots are ejected from their F-18 fighter jet shortly before it is shot down. Both sustain minor injuries. The U.S. claims that it was a friendly fire incident, while the Houthi movement says it shot down the jet. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/22; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ 12/23; UNOCHA 12/26)
More than 45,259 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,500 children and 11,487 women, and around 107,627 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 11,000 people are missing in rubble. 825 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 171 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, 386 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. Kamal Adwan Hospital director Husam Abu Safia tells Reuters that it would be almost impossible to follow the Israeli orders and evacuate the hospital, due to the limited available ambulances. Abu Safia says that 400 civilians are sheltering at the hospital and that babies in the neonatal unit depend on oxygen and incubators. Haaretz reports that the Israeli military estimates that 70% of buildings in Jabalia refugee camp have been destroyed. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 12/22)
The Jenin Brigades issues a statement condemning the PA for following Israeli policies of fighting the resistance and warns PA soldiers not to engage in the fight against the resistance on behalf of the PA. The statement also says that the PA has extrajudicially executed 14 Palestinians since 10/7. (AJ 12/22)
Peace Now reports that Israeli settlers have set up 7 outposts in Area B, including 5 in the “Agreed-Upon Reserve” near Bethlehem, 1 Ein Yabrud, and 1 in Turmus ‘Ayya. (PCN 12/22)
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid says there is nothing left to achieve in Gaza, calling on the government to reach a ceasefire deal to release the captives and to prepare for the future of Gaza. Lapid says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war due to his own political interests. National Unity Party leader and former war cabinet member Benny Gantz also criticizes Netanyahu for sabotaging ceasefire negotiations for his own political reasons. (AJ, HA 12/22)
Mossad agents tell 60 Minutes that the Israeli pager attack in Lebanon in September was a psychological warfare operation. (AP, HA 12/22; HA 12/23)