International
The Israeli Army confirms the incursion into the Shujaiya neighborhood, in Gaza, due to the “presence” of militiamen
The Israeli Army confirmed this Friday in a statement its incursion into the Shujaiya neighborhood, in the northern city of Gaza, already besieged last December, due to the “presence” of militiamen and military infrastructure, after receiving information from its intelligence.
“Simultaneously with the entry of the troops, fighter planes attacked dozens of terrorist infrastructure sites in Hamas,” the Army details in the note about this operation that, he says, began on Thursday morning and maintained this morning.
Palestinian sources confirmed yesterday to EFE the entry of Israeli tanks into the Shujaiya neighborhood and aerial bombings that occurred in parallel, causing the death of at least seven Palestinians and leaving about thirty injured.
Before launching this operation, Israeli forces attacked other points in the northern Strip where they “eliminated dozens” of fighters who, they say, were hiding in UNRWA schools, according to their statement.
“During this past night, our planes also attacked a Hamas terrorist in an area of Deir al Balah (central Gaza), which was operating from within a humanitarian zone,” they add in the statement.
On the other hand, Gaza medical sources reported the death of at least 11 people and more than 40 injured in the humanitarian zone of Al Mawasi, in the western part of Rafah, south of the Strip, after an Israeli bombing last night.
Most of the Gaza people who took refuge in Rafah, the city on the border with Egypt, moved to the coastal area of Al Mawasi, by order of Israel, after the start of the Israeli land invasion of this southern city last May.
The official spokesman for Civil Defense in Rafah, Ahmad Redwan, denounces that hundreds of Gaza families slept on the street last night after the incursion and attack by Israeli troops on this camp considered supposedly a safe area by Israel.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa also reports Israeli air and artillery attacks in the early hours of this morning against homes in central Gaza that left at least four civilians dead, including a woman and a child.
In almost nine months of war, the Israeli offensive has already left more than 37,700 people dead, mostly women and children, and another 86,429 injured; in addition to schools, hospitals and residential buildings destroyed.
The Israeli Security Cabinet approved this morning to legalize five outposts (inities of illegal settlements) in the occupied West Bank and to impose new sanctions on the Palestinian National Authority (ANP) at the proposal of the Minister of Finance, the far-right, Bezalel Smotrich.
“These are measures that protect the State of Israel and convey a clear message: We will never establish a terrorist state in the Land of Israel! The actions against the State of Israel and in favor of the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian State received an appropriate Zionist response!” Minister Smotrich wrote in his X account.
The president of the Yesha Council, Israel Ganz, the body that brings together all the settlements of the occupied West Bank, welcomed this decision that assured “strengthens the State of Israel.”
“In these difficult days, when we are at war for our home, strengthening the communities in the land of our ancestors is the appropriate Zionist response,” Ganz said.
The five legalized settlements are Evyatar, Givat Assaf, Sde Efraim, Heletz and Adorayim.
International
Gustavo Petro increases Colombia’s minimum wage by 9.54%
Colombian President Gustavo Petro signed a decree on Tuesday to increase the minimum wage in the country by 9.54% (following a lack of consensus with business sectors and labor unions), meaning that starting January 1, it will be 1,423,500 Colombian pesos (about US$322).
“This is an improvement in the standard of living for all people who tie their income to the minimum wage,” Petro celebrated as he signed the decree in Zipaquirá, during an event where he participated in the last Novena de Aguinaldo and reconnected with several friends and colleagues in the Bolívar 83 neighborhood, which holds personal significance for the president.
Currently, the minimum wage in Colombia is 1,300,000 pesos (about US$294).
Petro also responded to criticisms from the business sector regarding the minimum wage increase, after the president of the National Association of Entrepreneurs of Colombia (Andi), Bruce Mac Master, warned that it would lead to “a great number of consequences.”
International
Silent Christmas in Bethlehem as Gaza conflict overshadows celebrations
Hundreds of faithful gathered on Tuesday around the Church of the Nativity in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, which is preparing for another quiet Christmas, with no major celebrations due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Local authorities decided to suspend large public celebrations for the second consecutive year, and in Manger Square, there are neither decorations nor the traditional giant Christmas tree, reflecting the somber mood of its residents since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in Gaza. At the Vatican, Pope Francis will inaugurate the Holy Year 2025 on Tuesday, a major international pilgrimage expected to draw over 30 million faithful from around the world to Rome.
On this Christmas Eve, at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM GMT), in the presence of around 30,000 people and with worldwide broadcast, the Argentine Jesuit will open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, symbolizing the start of this “ordinary” Jubilee.
Afterwards, he will preside over the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, an occasion in which the pontiff often highlights global conflicts.
Over the weekend, Francis’ remarks calling Israeli airstrikes in Gaza “cruel” sparked criticism from the Israeli government.
International
Pope Francis to open jubilee year in Vatican, calls for global peace amid conflict
Pope Francis will open the Catholic Church’s “Holy Year” 2025 on Tuesday, a major international pilgrimage expected to bring over 30 million faithful from around the world to Rome, under the sign of the Jubilee.
On this Christmas Eve, at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM GMT), in the presence of around 30,000 people and with worldwide broadcast, the Argentine Jesuit will open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, symbolizing the start of this “ordinary” Jubilee. Throughout the year, pilgrims will be able to pass through this heavy and imposing bronze door, closed during ordinary times, to receive the “plenary indulgence,” the forgiveness of sins according to tradition.
The 88-year-old pope, who faces frequent health issues, will preside over the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, before delivering his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing (to the city and the world) on Wednesday at noon. It is expected that he will address global conflicts and renew his calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East, three days after condemning the “cruelty” of the attacks in Gaza, comments which provoked protests from Israeli diplomats.
Security around the Vatican has been reinforced following the deadly attack on a Christmas market in Germany. About 700 additional officers have been deployed to Rome, as announced by the Ministry of the Interior.
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