Has the humanitarian crisis in Gaza been ignored?

On December 5, 2025, Al Jazeera reported that Israel's military budget was set at $34 billion amidst ongoing attacks in Gaza. Despite an October 10 ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued attacks in the southern city of Khan Younis, including artillery shelling, gunfire, and helicopter strikes. A recent air strike on tents in the al-Mawasi "humanitarian zone" killed six Palestinians. Residents of Gaza fear a resumption of full-scale conflict due to persistent ceasefire violations. The attacks are concentrated in the eastern and northeastern parts of Khan Younis.

Five Palestinians, including two children, were killed and dozens injured in Israeli air strikes on tents for displaced people west of Khan Younis, Gaza. The strikes hit the al-Mawasi area, specifically the al-Najaat camp, which houses hundreds of displaced individuals. The incident occurred after the Israeli military reported that a Hamas terrorist attack wounded five soldiers in Rafah, violating a ceasefire agreement. The IDF stated they targeted a Hamas terrorist in response. Hamas condemned the action as a barbaric violation of the ceasefire, which began on October 10th. The Israeli military offensive in Gaza began in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli military announced the killing of Raed Saed, a senior Hamas commander, in a Gaza City strike on Saturday. The strike, which killed four and wounded at least 25, was reportedly in response to a Hamas explosive device that injured Israeli soldiers. Israeli officials described Saed as a key figure in Hamas's weapons manufacturing and one of the architects of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. While there was no immediate confirmation from Hamas, sources within the group have identified Saed as a high-ranking commander within their armed wing. The incident marks the most significant assassination of a senior Hamas figure since the ceasefire in October, amid ongoing violence despite the truce.

On December 3, 2025, Israel announced the reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza. This announcement was framed as a humanitarian gesture for medical care, education, or family reunification. However, Egypt and other Arab and Muslim states rejected the proposal. The article argues that Israel's intention is not humanitarian aid, but rather the forced displacement of Palestinians, a continuation of a historical pattern of dispossession. The author states that Palestinians want a guarantee of return if they evacuate, which Israel has refused to provide, only allowing one-way passage out of Gaza. The article highlights the historical context of Palestinian displacement since 1948.

In December 2025, Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of the Israeli-backed Gazan militia Popular Forces, was killed in clashes with a Palestinian clan in southern Gaza. Israel had supported Abu Shabab and his militia as part of a strategy to combat Hamas, even allegedly providing them with weapons. Abu Shabab openly acknowledged security coordination with Israel to prevent Hamas infiltration. Hamas celebrated his death, calling him a traitor and urging other pro-Israel militias to surrender. The future of the Popular Forces remains uncertain, though Abu Shabab's deputy has assumed leadership. Since the beginning of the war, Israel has been seeking Gazan allies to weaken Hamas's control and has supported at least four small armed groups.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the first phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire plan is nearing completion. He emphasized that the second phase must include the disarmament of Hamas, a topic he intends to discuss with Donald Trump in Washington later this month. The first phase involved Hamas releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees, while Israeli forces withdrew to a ceasefire line, retaining control of 58% of Gaza. Since the ceasefire began on October 10th, over 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, and three Israeli soldiers have died in Hamas attacks. The details and sequencing of the next phases, including Hamas disarmament, further Israeli withdrawal, and the establishment of an international stabilization force, remain unclear.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is hosting officials from Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt in Miami on December 19, 2025, to discuss the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The meeting aims to advance the agreement aimed at halting Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Simultaneously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding security consultations regarding the ceasefire's second phase. These discussions occur amid reports of near-daily Israeli violations of the truce, hindering humanitarian aid and causing Palestinian casualties. An Israeli official warned of a potential new military campaign if the US disengages from the Gaza process.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the priority of the international stabilization force (ISF) in Gaza should be separating Israeli troops and Hamas, not disarming the Palestinian group. He suggested Indonesia and Azerbaijan would prefer Turkish involvement in the UN-backed force, which Israel opposes. Talks regarding the ISF mandate and composition have stalled. The Egyptian Foreign Minister supports deploying the ISF along the "yellow line" in Gaza to monitor the ceasefire, emphasizing a peace-monitoring rather than peace-enforcement role. Norway's Foreign Minister stressed the urgency of establishing the ISF and a board of peace this month due to the fragile ceasefire, warning of potential war or anarchy. Muslim countries providing troops seek clarification on the ISF's rules of engagement.

On December 29, 2025, US President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. An Israeli government spokesperson announced the meeting, stating the leaders will discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. Netanyahu indicated the talks will focus on ending Hamas governance in Gaza, ensuring adherence to the ceasefire plan, and establishing an international stabilization force. The second phase of the ceasefire, concerning post-war governance, is expected to be more challenging than the initial phase, which involved prisoner exchanges and Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire since October 10, there have been numerous Israeli violations and Palestinian deaths in Gaza.

The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 70,000, according to the Health Ministry, with at least 70,100 people killed and over 170,900 wounded since Israel's conflict began on October 7, 2023. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect last month, Israeli military attacks continue, including drone strikes. On Saturday, two Palestinian children were killed in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis. The area targeted lies beyond the agreed redeployment boundary under the ceasefire agreement. Israel has also launched ground, naval, and air attacks on several parts of Gaza, resulting in injuries to three Palestinians. The ongoing violence has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis in the region.

Segev Kalfon, an Israeli hostage, recounted his 738-day captivity by Hamas, during which he endured physical abuse and mental manipulation. He was among six Israeli hostages presented with a choice: be executed or shot in the leg, but managed to persuade their captor to spare him. Kalfon was abducted on October 7, 2023, as part of a wave of violence that killed approximately 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others. He was released on October 13 as part of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Kalfon blames Israeli officials for delaying his release, suggesting they could have acted sooner to hasten his liberation. His account is one of the first from a hostage held by Hamas during this period.

The Hamas-run health ministry of Gaza has reported that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's military campaign since its offensive began on October 7, 2023. The death toll continues to rise, with over 350 deaths occurring since the ceasefire took effect on October 10. Two young brothers, aged eight and 11, were among those killed in an Israeli drone strike on Saturday while gathering firewood east of Khan Younis. Israel disputes data published by Gaza's authorities, citing international journalists' inability to verify figures due to restrictions on entering Gaza independently. The conflict began in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 people and 251 hostages taken.

The Hamas-run health ministry of Gaza has reported that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's military campaign since its offensive began on October 7, 2023. The death toll continues to rise, with over 350 deaths occurring since the ceasefire took effect on October 10. Two young brothers, aged eight and 11, were among those killed in an Israeli drone strike on Saturday while gathering firewood east of Khan Younis. Israel disputes data published by Gaza's authorities, citing international journalists' inability to verify figures due to restrictions on entering Gaza independently. The conflict began in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 people and 251 hostages taken.

Since the start of the Israel-Gaza war on October 7, 2023, the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 70,000, according to Gaza's health ministry. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, is considered generally reliable by the international community. The rising death toll comes after a ceasefire that began on October 10, though Israel continues strikes, citing truce violations. Recently, two Palestinian children were reportedly killed by Israeli fire near a school sheltering displaced people in southern Gaza. Israel stated it killed individuals engaged in suspicious activities in Israeli-controlled areas, but did not mention children. A US blueprint for Gaza's future is in early stages, outlining a possible path to an independent Palestinian state.

In Gaza City, a money repairer named Baraa Abu al-Aoun spends hours restoring worn banknotes to circulation. The business has emerged as a response to the devastating war between Israel and Hamas, which led to widespread destruction of banks and a halt in cash transfers. Since 2023, most banks were destroyed or looted, leaving people without access to cash. Baraa's services are now in high demand, with many turning to informal money merchants who charge exorbitant commissions. The economic collapse has pushed the population into poverty, with four in five people unemployed and struggling to access cash. As a result, every existing banknote matters more than ever, making Baraa's work essential for those seeking to buy food and essentials.

In Gaza City, a money repairer named Baraa Abu al-Aoun spends hours restoring worn banknotes to circulation. The business has emerged as a response to the devastating war between Israel and Hamas, which led to widespread destruction of banks and a halt in cash transfers. Since 2023, most banks were destroyed or looted, leaving people without access to cash. Baraa's services are now in high demand, with many turning to informal money merchants who charge exorbitant commissions. The economic collapse has pushed the population into poverty, with four in five people unemployed and struggling to access cash. As a result, every existing banknote matters more than ever, making Baraa's work essential for those seeking to buy food and essentials.