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.

Storm Byron is threatening the 1.5 million displaced Palestinians living in makeshift camps in Gaza as of December 2025. These individuals, already vulnerable after two years of war with Israel, reside in tents constructed from aid tarpaulins and salvaged materials. Meteorologists have warned of heavy rainfall and strong winds, increasing the risk of flash flooding and wind damage. Gaza lacks adequate infrastructure, shelters, and drainage systems to withstand the storm. Families are struggling to protect themselves and their flimsy shelters, relying on solidarity to survive the harsh conditions. The storm adds another layer of hardship to an already dire humanitarian crisis.

Following a recent rainstorm in Gaza in December 2025, the already dire living conditions for Palestinians have worsened. Over two months after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, rebuilding efforts are stalled due to ongoing political negotiations. Approximately 1.3 million Palestinians lack adequate shelter, with many residing in flooded tents or damaged buildings. The storm affected over 100,000 people and overwhelmed sanitation systems, leading to sewage contamination and increased risk of disease. Gazans face challenges in staying warm due to limited access to cooking gas, firewood, electricity, and central heating, creating a potential public health crisis.

Israeli authorities identified the remains returned on Wednesday as those of Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai national killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks. Rinthalak was working in Israel to support his family when he was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri to Gaza by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. His remains will be returned to Thailand for burial, with the Israeli government expressing condolences to his family and the Thai people. With Rinthalak's remains recovered, Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer, is now the last remaining hostage in Gaza. The Israeli government stated its commitment to recovering Gvili's remains for a proper burial.

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.