Key Points
- Gaza’s Civil Defence recovered 25 bodies from a collapsed residential building in Khan Younis
- Al-Awda Hospital heavily affected by over two years of conflict
- Since October 10, 2025, Israel has violated the Gaza ceasefire nearly daily, with 875 reported breaches
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed support for establishing illegal settlements in Gaza
GAZA: Al-Awda Hospital, a major medical facility in central Gaza’s Nuseirat district, has suspended several services due to a severe fuel shortage in the territory, which continues to face a serious humanitarian crisis.
The hospital, heavily affected by over two years of conflict, cares for approximately 60 in-patients and treats nearly 1,000 people seeking medical care each day.
“Most services have been temporarily stopped due to a shortage of the fuel needed for the generators,” said Ahmed Mehanna, a senior official involved in managing the hospital.
“Only essential departments remain operational: the emergency unit, maternity ward and paediatrics.”
The situation could have grave consequences, especially for patients requiring emergency surgery and specialised medical care.
In a statement, the hospital warned that its fuel reserves have reached critically low levels and that it may be forced to suspend healthcare services in the region entirely.
Rescuers recover bodies of 25 Palestinians from rubble
Gaza’s Civil Defence reported recovering 25 bodies from the rubble of a residential building northwest of Khan Younis.
According to a statement carried by the Safa news agency, the remains were retrieved with assistance from forensic teams and included journalist Hiba al-Abadleh and her mother, who were killed in January 2024. The recovered bodies were subsequently buried in official cemeteries.
The home belonged to the al-Astal family, the Civil Defence said.
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 Palestinians in Gaza remain missing under rubble, the National Committee for Missing Persons has reported, describing the enclave as “the world’s largest mass grave.” Israel has continued to block the entry of adequate equipment and machinery needed for recovery efforts.
Gaza ceasefire violations
Since the declaration of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on October 10, 2025, Israel has reportedly violated the agreement with near-daily attacks, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel breached the ceasefire at least 875 times between October 10 and December 22, carrying out attacks by air, artillery, and direct fire.
The office reported that civilians were shot at 265 times, residential areas beyond the “yellow line” were raided 49 times, Gaza was bombed and shelled 421 times, and private properties were demolished on 150 occasions. Additionally, 43 Palestinians from Gaza were reportedly detained over the past month.
Gaza illegal settlements
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has reaffirmed his support for expanding illegal settlements in Gaza, signaling the government’s plans to increase its presence in the war-torn Palestinian territory despite international opposition.
Speaking at a conference on Friday, Katz said he continues to back the establishment of outposts in Gaza by the Nahal military unit, which often later become officially recognized settlements. He described this as a long-term vision that would be implemented “in due time.”
All forms of Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian territories are considered illegal under international law.
Earlier this week, Katz stated that Israel would create what he called “Nahal” settlements in northern Gaza “when the time is right.” Hours later, however, his office appeared to retract the statement, saying Israel “has no intention of establishing settlements in the Gaza Strip,” amid concerns that his remarks could strain relations with the United States.
