Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza, killing at least two people in a drone strike on the headquarters of the Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza City, and nine others in attacks on a home in the Jabalia refugee camp.

    Christians in Gaza mark a sombre Christmas, praying for an end to Israel’s death and destruction, while in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem – the birthplace of Jesus – many dedicate their prayers to the victims of Israel’s “genocide”.

    In Lebanon, Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the United States and France-led ceasefire monitoring committee to pressure Israel to cease violating its truce with Hezbollah and withdraw from the south of the country.

    Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 45,338 Palestinians and wounded 107,764 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.

    Two Palestinians ‘critically wounded’ in Israeli air raid on West Bank town

    We have more on the Israeli attack on the occupied West Bank town of Tammun.

    The Wafa news agency is reporting that two Palestinians were “critically wounded” in the attack and have been hospitalised.

    Earlier, the Israeli military said it launched the raid after Palestinian fighters detonated an explosive device near troops operating in the town.

    US envoy rejects FEWS NET’s warning of famine in north Gaza

    More on the global food crisis monitor’s assessment that famine is likely unfolding in beseiged north Gaza.

    Jacob Lew, the US ambassador to Israel, dismissed the report, saying FEWS NET relied on data that is “outdated and inaccurate”.

    He said in a statement that FEWS NET’s assessment assumes there are between 65,000 to 75,000 people remaining in north Gaza. But that Israeli and UN estimates show the figure is in the range of 7,000 to 15,000.

    “At a time when inaccurate information is causing confusion and accusations, it is irresponsible to issue a report like this,” Lew said.

    FEWS NET, which was created by the US government, uses a scale developed by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) to assess famine. The IPC has a five-tier classification system, with Phase 5 as the most extreme level.

    For a Phase 5 declaration, at least 20 percent of households in an area have to be experiencing famine conditions, acute malnutrition has to exceed 30 percent and there have to be more than two deaths per 10,000 people.

    FEWS NET, in its latest assessment, said “it is highly likely that the food consumption and acute malnutrition thresholds for Famine (IPC Phase 5) have now been surpassed in North Gaza Governorate”. It also warned that deaths from starvation could pass famine levels as early as next month if Israel keeps up its near total blockade of the region.