Israel-Hamas war updates: Displaced ‘killed point-blank’ in Gaza school
These were the Israel-Hamas war updates for Wednesday, December 13.
This live page is now closed, you can follow the latest updates here.
This live page is now closed, you can follow the latest updates here.
- Exclusive video and images obtained by Al Jazeera show bodies piled up inside the Shadia Abu Ghazala School in al-Faluja area, west of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
- Rainfall triggers flooding in parts of Gaza Strip as strong winds damage makeshift tents, adding to the challenges faced by Palestinian families displaced by Israel’s war.
- The Israeli army says 10 of its soldiers, including a colonel who commanded a forward base for the Golani infantry brigade, were killed in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
- At least 18,608 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel stands at 1,147.
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This live page is now closed. Follow along with our coverage of the Israeli war on Gaza on our new page, here.
Some Christians in the US have chosen not to celebrate Christmas this year as they mourn the ongoing suffering in Gaza. Read more in our story here.
It’s not shocking to see Israeli children celebrate genocide in Gaza, writes activist Rifat Audeh. To read more on why he believes so, read this opinion piece.
Here’s what happened today
We will soon be closing this live page. Here’s a recap of the day’s developments:
- Rainfall has triggered floods in parts of Gaza as strong winds damage makeshift tents, adding to the challenges faced by displaced Palestinians.
- An exclusive video and images obtained by Al Jazeera show bodies piled up inside the Shadia Abu Ghazala School in northern Gaza. Family members accuse Israeli forces of killing their relatives who were sheltering inside.
- Israeli bombardment has continued in parts of central and southern Gaza, as well as in Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 196 Palestinians, according to the health ministry.
- Israel has expanded its military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin.
- Hezbollah said two of its fighters have been killed, without specifying where or how they were killed.
Saudi defence minister, NATO chief discuss regional security in call
In a statement posted on its official account on X, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence has said Minister Khalid bin Salman spoke with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg about “areas of cooperation and joint efforts that contribute to enhancing regional and international security and stability”.
The statement also said several other issues “of common interest” were also taken up during the call.
The defence minister confirmed the call in a separate post from his personal account on X.
In a call with @jensstoltenberg, we reviewed prospects for cooperation and discussed our joint efforts to promote regional and international security and stability. We also exchanged views on several issues of common interest.
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) December 13, 2023
Bernie Sanders not calling for a permanent ceasefire
The progressive US senator had sent a letter to Biden earlier urging him to back a “humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza.
However, he subsequently told the Washington Post that a “humanitarian ceasefire” would be temporary, sticking to his previous position against ending the war.
“Long-term, I don’t know how you can have a permanent cease-fire when Hamas has made it very clear that that’s not what they want or believe in,” Sanders said. “And at the same time, you have Netanyahu and his right-wing government wanting to continue the war. So I think it raises false hopes.”
In a video posted on social media, he later said the ceasefire would allow the UN and other aid organisations “to provide humanitarian relief that the Palestinian people desperately need”.
I’ve asked President Biden to do two things:
1) Not to give $10 billion to Netanyahu’s right-wing government to continue their horrific military strategy.
2) To support a UN humanitarian ceasefire to get in desperately needed aid to the people of Gaza, and free the hostages. pic.twitter.com/kXpKuOdI8U
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 13, 2023
WATCH: How is the Gaza war seen beyond the US and the West?
Letter accuses US security agency of turning ‘blind eye’ to Gaza suffering
More than 100 staff members from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have signed an open letter to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas denouncing the department’s handling of the war in Gaza.
The letter, exclusively obtained by Al Jazeera, expresses frustration with the “palpable, glaring absence in the Department’s messaging” of “recognition, support, and mourning” for the more than 18,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the war on October 7.
“The grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the conditions in the West Bank are circumstances that the Department would generally respond to in various ways,” the letter, dated November 22, said.
“Yet DHS leadership has seemingly turned a blind eye to the bombing of refugee camps, hospitals, ambulances, and civilians.”
Read more here.
Residents wade through flood amid ruins of Jabalia refugee camp
In an exclusive video captured by Al Jazeera, an ambulance is also seen going through floodwater following heavy rain that hit the area in the northern part of the besieged enclave.
The video also shows the ruins of the camp following repeated deadly Israeli air attacks.
Jabalia is one of the most heavily-bombed areas, forcing many residents to evacuate. But some have remained in the area despite the threat of more attacks.
وضع كارثي يفاقم معاناة الفلسطينيين بمخيم جباليا إثر غرقه بمياه الأمطار الغزيرة شمالي قطاع غزة#حرب_غزة #فيديو pic.twitter.com/qTLhcEXe8W
— الجزيرة فلسطين (@AJA_Palestine) December 13, 2023
[Translation: A catastrophic situation exacerbates the suffering of the Palestinians in the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip after it was submerged in heavy rainwater.]
PEN calls for immediate release of Freedom Theatre staff in Jenin
The writers association PEN International says it is “gravely concerned” by news of the arrests of Ahmed Tobasi and Mustafa Sheta of the theatre in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
“PEN International calls for Ahmed Tobasi and Mustafa Sheta to be immediately and unconditionally releases [sic] and for an end to the targeting of writers and artists in Palestine,” the group said in a statement.
Israeli officials say they will push on with war until goals achieved
Netanyahu spoke twice today. The first was on a visit to the south at a detention facility for Palestinians and the second at the Shin Bet internal security service headquarters in Tel Aviv. But the messaging was the same: that even in the face of any sort of international pressure, Israel’s war will continue.
The Israelis have had three main goals since they set out on their military operations, specifically on the ground – destroying Hamas, releasing the captives and ensuring that Gaza will not pose a threat to Israel.
But the reality of the matter is they have not achieved any of them. And the Israeli prime minister, along with all of his other defence officials, has been saying that until those objectives are met, the war will continue.
Two Palestinians killed in Jenin
The Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS) says three others were seriously wounded.
The PRCS said its teams are moving the bodies, along with the Palestinians who sustained injuries, to a hospital from the eastern side of Jenin city.
Earlier, we reported that more Israeli forces were headed towards the city and the Jenin refugee camp. The reinforcements come as Israel continues its raid on the city, which has now been ongoing for more than 48 hours.
Eight other Palestinians have been killed since Tuesday and 15 injured with live ammunition, according to the Health Ministry – although their tally of the dead includes a sick child who died after being prevented from getting to a hospital by the presence of Israeli forces.
Freedom Theatre shares more details on Israeli raid, staff arrests
Earlier, we reported that the Jenin theatre’s artistic director, Ahmed Tobasi, was arrested by Israeli forces.
The Freedom Theatre said in an update on what happened that Israeli soldiers arrested Tobasi after he went out to ask them why they were ransacking the theatre, which is located across the street from his home.
They beat him on his legs before forcing him to take off his jacket and “putting him on the ground in the street in the cold and the rain. Telling Tobasi he must stay there, the army then went into his home and broke everything,” the statement said.
The theatre said his whereabouts remain unknown.
Tobasi’s brother, Mohammed, was also arrested but has since been released, it said, adding that a Freedom Theatre producer as well as a graduate of the programme had also been arrested.
Details on the detainment of Ahmed Tobasi Artistic Director of The Freedom Theatre#Mayday Created by @freedom_theatre & @artistfrontline #Jenin #JeninUnderAttack #Palestine #Theatre #جنين pic.twitter.com/RiH9wKChDU
— The Freedom Theatre (@freedom_theatre) December 13, 2023
US failing to secure international support for Israel: Advocate
Taher Herzallah, an organiser with the American Muslims for Palestine advocacy group, invoked the UN General Assembly vote in support of a ceasefire to show declining backing for Israel’s offensive on Gaza.
Only eight other countries sided with the US and Israel to vote against the resolution, while close US allies – including Canada, France, Poland and Japan – voted in favour of the measure and Germany and the UK abstained.
“Despite US pressure, and despite what the United States may be trying to do in building international consensus in support of Israel’s invasion of Gaza and its continued occupation of Gaza, it’s clear that it’s an uphill battle that the United States cannot win,” Herzallah told Al Jazeera.
‘We are in a truly horrific moment,’ analyst says
Palestinian-American analyst Omar Baddar has expressed concern that the Israeli offensive on Gaza could go on “indefinitely”, telling Al Jazeera that Netanyahu is only concerned with his own political survival and Biden lacks the “backbone” to meaningfully pressure Israel.
“If Israel were desperately looking to maintain international sympathy and support, then time would have already run out on its genocidal campaign in Gaza, which has shocked and horrified the entire world,” Baddar told Al Jazeera.
“But Netanyahu has made clear that international support is secondary to his foolish and destructive pursuit of a ‘victory’ in Gaza – one he cannot achieve – but is bent on chasing through the endless slaughter and starvation of the Palestinian civilian population.”
He added that the world is stuck in an “ugly dynamic” in which the US is likely to continue to fund the war on Gaza. “We are in a truly horrific moment that history will not judge kindly.”
Jewish activists block California road in solidarity with Palestinians
Protesters with the organisation IfNotNow blocked the 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles during rush hour, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
They set up a large Hanukkah menorah and chanted, “Down with the occupation.”
Journalist Sergio Olmos was at the scene and reported that the California Highway Patrol said they arrested 75 protesters.
Protestors calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza have blocked the 110 southbound freeway in Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/iIxksmvFlN
— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) December 13, 2023
Sullivan in Saudi Arabia to discuss regional issues: US official
The visit by the US national security adviser, which precedes a trip to Israel, was not officially announced by the White House before his departure.
Sullivan discussed with the Saudis “broader diplomatic efforts to maintain stability across the region and prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from expanding”, the US official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
Talks will also “include efforts to deter ongoing Houthi attacks against international commercial vessels in the Red Sea”, the official said.
Before the war, the US was working to secure a deal to establish diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Washington says it will still work towards that agreement but on Wednesday, White House spokesman Kirby acknowledged that the war had “derailed” those efforts.
‘Intense’ Israeli bombardment in southern Gaza’s Rafah area
Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum says the district has come under “intense” Israeli attacks during the last couple of hours, including two air strikes that reportedly killed Palestinians and left others injured.
“This area was designated as safe and … the majority of Gazans had been ordered to flee” to the area, Abu Azzoum said.
Meanwhile, artillery attacks continued in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza where more than five Palestinians have been reported killed, he said.
Khan Younis in southern Gaza also has come under attack, with Abu Azzoum saying the area has turned into a “battle zone” between Palestinian fighters and Israeli soldiers.
Qatar pledges $50m for Gaza refugees, displaced people
The pledge came at the UNHCR-organised Global Refugee Forum.
Lolwah Alkhater, Qatar’s minister of state for international cooperation, also said that Qatar would be funding 100 Qatari university scholarships for students from Gaza.
Today, Qatar 🇶🇦 pledged $50 million at the #GlobalRefugeeForum organized by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees @Refugees 🇺🇳 in response to the increasing humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories 🇵🇸.
The pledge is aimed at refugees, displaced people,… pic.twitter.com/LPMgFcdmaI
— لولوة الخاطر Lolwah Alkhater (@Lolwah_Alkhater) December 13, 2023
Biden tells families of American captives ‘we will not give up hope’
The US president met with the families earlier in Washington to “hear their stories”, he said in an X post.
“I reassured them that I will continue doing everything possible to secure the release of their family members,” Biden said.
Eight US nationals are believed to be still held in Gaza by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, and four were freed during a Qatar-brokered truce earlier this month.
I just sat down with the loved ones of Americans taken hostage by Hamas to hear their stories.
I reassured them that I will continue doing everything possible to secure the release of their family members.
And that we will not give up hope. pic.twitter.com/eZLrlW63LI
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 13, 2023
Australia cricketer Khawaja will ‘fight’ to wear Palestine solidarity shoes
Australian cricket player Usman Khawaja has promised to “fight” a ruling by the sport’s governing body that he says has stopped him from displaying messages in support of “those who don’t have a voice”.
In an emotional video posted on his social media, Khawaja clarified that his message was “not political” and that the “bigger problem” was people calling him up to berate him for his stance.
The opening batter was seen wearing cricket boots with “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” written on them in the colours of the Palestinian flag during Australia’s training session prior to their Test series against Pakistan.
The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rules do not allow players to display “non-compliant” wording or logos on clothing or equipment worn during international matches.
Read more here.
‘Difficult’ hours ahead for Palestinians in Jenin: AJ correspondent
Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, reporting from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, says the Israeli army has brought in reinforcements to the eastern side of the Jenin refugee camp amid a nearly two-day raid.
“It’s going to be another difficult few hours for the people living there,” Khan said.
Israel says several soldiers have been injured in the continued military operation, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, while its forces have raided about 400 buildings.
The Palestine Red Crescent has reported several Palestinian injuries and says its work has been impeded during the Israeli military incursion.
We’ll bring you updates on the situation when we can.
🚨The Palestine Red Crescent crews 🚑transporting a person with a head injury caused by live ammunition from #Jenin to Al-Razi Hospital.
🚨خلال نقل طواقم الهلال الأحمر الفلسطيني 🚑اليوم لإصابة رصاص حي بالرأس من جنين الى مستشفى الرازي. #WestBank pic.twitter.com/kkU9TI6v7A
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) December 13, 2023
Nearly 1.3 million people sheltering in Gaza UNRWA facilities
Displaced Palestinians are sheltering in 155 locations run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, it says in its latest situation report.
Here are some other key figures from the report:
- At least 288 Palestinians have been killed and 998 injured while sheltering on UNRWA premises since October 7.
- There is currently one toilet for every 486 people in overcrowded shelters in Rafah.
- Of the total number of people sheltering at UNRWA facilities, the vast majority of them, more than 1.1 million, are in shelters in central Gaza, Khan Younis and Rafah.
- UNRWA confirmed that one more of its staff members was killed, bringing the total number of deaths among its staff to 135 since October 7.
US delaying sale of M16 rifles to Israel over settler violence: Report
The US news website Axios is reporting that a deal to sell more than 20,000 US-made rifles to Israel has been held up and will now be sent for another State Department review in light of concerns over a lack of Israeli government action against far-right Israeli settlers who continue to attack Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Israel had requested the rifles at the start of the war although there were immediate concerns due to the role of Itamar Ben-Gvir, a hard-right settler who serves as national security minister, in possibly distributing the rifles to civilians.
The US government has made an effort in recent weeks to increase criticism of Israeli settler violence while remaining lukewarm in its criticisms of Israeli actions in Gaza.
Rutgers first public US university to suspend SJP chapter
Rutgers University has issued an “interim suspension” of the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter on its New Brunswick campus in response to what it says are complaints of disruptive behaviour and vandalism by the group.
In a statement, the pro-Palestine student group said its rallies are peaceful and accused the school of applying a “racist double-standard”, referring to Rutgers’s failure to act upon allegations of harassment and doxxing directed at Palestinian and Muslim students.
. @RutgersU is the first public university to suspend its #SJP chapter. This decision was arbitrary as the students
did not receive a warning, a hearing, & found out from media bc the suspension letter was leaked. The students issue their demands below. I stand with them. #Gaza https://t.co/UqBvFrTqm4— Noura Erakat (@4noura) December 13, 2023
If you’re just joining us
It’s 11:30pm (20:30 GMT) in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. Here’s a recap of the developments from the past few hours:
- Exclusive video and images obtained by Al Jazeera show bodies piled up inside a school west of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
- White House national security spokesman John Kirby says the US is still standing with Israel despite Biden’s critical comments of Netanyahu’s government.
- The Israeli prime minister says the war is going to be “difficult” but he is “determined to continue to the end”.
- Killings of Palestinian women and children in Gaza have gone far beyond other recent conflicts, a UN expert says.
- Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says any arrangements for Gaza after the war that do not involve his group as well as other Palestinian factions are an “illusion”.
Netanyahu, members of Israeli war cabinet to meet US’s Sullivan
Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli prime minister is set to hold talks US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday in Tel Aviv.
Sullivan also has planned meetings with Netanyahu’s war cabinet and Israeli President Isaac Herzog “to discuss the latest developments in Israel and Gaza”, a White House statement read.
The Biden administration faces continued domestic and global pressure to back a ceasefire in Gaza, but has maintained such a move would only benefit Hamas.
While President Biden said this week that Israel was losing international support due to its “indiscriminate” attacks on Palestinian civilians, he has stressed that he and his government remain steadfast backers of the country.