Israel-Palestine War Day 87: Pope Francis’ message, Israel’s attack in Gaza, Netanyahu’s comment; 10 updates
Israel, causing alarm as the new year began. Sirens had been heard across various cities including Ashdod, and Sderot, as well as in Rehovot, Ness Ziona, Holon, Lod, and Modiin. There have been no injuries reported.
Israeli operations in central Gaza killed at least 35 lives on December 31, according to local hospital authorities. The conflict continues to escalate within the small territory. Air strikes hit central Gaza, destroyed a house and killed 10 people.
Many others left for Rafah, near the Egyptian border, as Israeli tanks fought with Hamas fighters. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the war will continue for “many more months". His promise to take back control over the border with Egypt also brings up fresh doubts about the possibility of a two-state solution in the future.
Israel Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has asked Jewish settlers to the Gaza Strip after the war and encouraged Palestinians there to move away. Smotrich has said that, to keep the area safe, Israel needs to be in charge. A former Israeli minister, Galit Distel Atbaryan, apologised for her part in the country's arguments before the violence started on October 7.
She suggested that arguments among Israelis might have looked like a weakness, which led to Hamas’ attack. "I sinned against you, I caused pain for you, I caused you to fear for your lives here, and I am sorry for this," she said. Itay Regev, 18, met his sister Maya Regev, 21, at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel.
He just got back to Israel after being held by Hamas in Gaza. Maya, who was also held in Gaza, got out a few days before Itay. The Israeli military plans to send home some reservists called up for duty in Gaza.
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