Israeli Strikes in Gaza Claim Lives of Journalists, Civilians

Israeli air raids on Gaza claimed the lives of five journalists on Thursday, after a marked media vehicle was struck near Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp, local sources confirmed.

The journalists, affiliated with Al-Quds Al-Youm television, were reporting from the hospital and surrounding areas when the attack occurred.

In a separate incident, at least five people were killed and 30 others went missing after a residential building in Gaza City's al-Zaytoun neighborhood was bombed, health officials reported. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams search for survivors trapped under the rubble.

Another strike in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City left ten civilians dead, while ongoing bombardments near Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza heightened fears for the safety of medical staff and patients. In Rafah, airstrikes on homes and residential buildings resulted in multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries.

The Israeli violence has pushed the death toll in Gaza to over 45,300 Palestinians, with more than 107,800 injured, according to local health authorities. A recent UN report stated that over 14,500 children have died, with many others believed to be trapped under the rubble.

Amid the escalating crisis, Pope Francis renewed his call for a ceasefire during his traditional Christmas address, describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "extremely grave." He condemned the ongoing Israeli airstrikes, reiterating his earlier criticism of Israel’s criminal actions as cruel and unjust.

Meanwhile, a senior Palestinian resistance official reported the discovery of a covert Israeli spy network inside a Gaza hospital. According to the official, surveillance devices concealed in modified objects were linked to a network monitoring Palestinian movements for targeted strikes.

The resistance’s security team acted on a tip-off from a local resident and confirmed the devices were operational. The official praised the citizen's vigilance, urging others to report suspicious objects or activities to thwart similar threats.

“This discovery saved lives and strengthened our resilience,” the official stated. “Every act of awareness fortifies our defenses against the enemy’s plans.”