Israeli army faces bloody day, 10 soldiers killed

This is one of the bloodiest days for Israeli soldiers since the conflict began. This incident brings the number of Israeli soldiers killed in the ground campaign in Gaza to 153, according to CNN.

The Israeli Prime Minister once again emphasized Israel's commitment to the war, affirming that "we will continue to fight with all our might, until the end, until victory, until we achieve all the goals we have set."

The updates come after Israel announced on Saturday an expansion of its ground operations in the southern and northern Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had engaged in several fierce battles over the weekend and had destroyed or seized Hamas weapons and underground infrastructure.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Gaza Health Ministry on Saturday said that at least 20,258 people have been killed since October 7, with 53,688 others injured.

Side news:

IDF claims to have struck 200 targets: The IDF said on Sunday that its air, ground and sea forces had struck around 200 targets in Gaza the previous day, after announcing an expansion of its operation in Gaza. In northern Gaza, the IDF said Israeli soldiers discovered a Hamas weapons cache in a civilian building, in an area next to a school, a mosque and a medical clinic.

Doctors accuse Israeli soldiers of war crimes at Gaza hospital: Israeli soldiers raiding a hospital in northern Gaza violated the bodies of several dead patients with a bulldozer, had a sniffer dog attack a person in a wheelchair, and opened fire on several doctors even after vetting them and finding no terrorist links, according to allegations from staff and patients at a hospital in northern Gaza. The allegations relate to an eight-day IDF operation last week at Kamal Adwan Hospital, which the Israeli military says is being used as a command and control center by Hamas.

Netanyahu insists military decisions are not influenced by other countries: Netanyahu insisted on Sunday that Israel's military decisions are based on its own analysis and not influenced by other countries, after repeated statements that he did not attack Hezbollah on the advice of US President Joe Biden.

US, Israeli leaders discuss 'phased' war: Netanyahu's comments came a day after Biden and Netanyahu discussed "mission and phasing" of the Israel-Hamas war on Saturday, according to the White House. Biden told reporters he had a long discussion with Netanyahu and did not push for a ceasefire. Netanyahu said he expressed appreciation for the US position at the UN Security Council.

Christmas in Bethlehem canceled: Local officials decided last month to scale back the festivities in Bethlehem in support of Palestinians, as the war between Israel and Hamas continues to rage in the Gaza Strip. Many residents have connections to Gaza through family and friends, and the city revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus has been plunged into grief. In addition, Pope Francis has called on Christians to think of those suffering on Christmas Day because of the wars in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Ukraine.

Nguyen Quang Minh (according to CNN)

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