DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza - The Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza was struck on Sunday, resulting in at least 70 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing war, according to health officials. Meanwhile, the number of Israeli soldiers killed in combat over the weekend has risen to 15.

Reporters from the Associated Press present at a nearby hospital witnessed the heartbreaking scene of frantic Palestinians carrying the dead bodies, including that of a baby, as well as the injured following the strike. Among the survivors was a bloodied young girl, visibly shocked as medical staff assessed her for potential injuries.

The Gaza Health Ministry spokesman, Ashraf al-Qidra, expressed concern that the death toll may rise further. The Israeli military has not yet released a statement regarding the incident.

As Christmas Eve approached, smoke engulfed the besieged territory of Gaza, while in Bethlehem, located in the West Bank, holiday celebrations were canceled. Simultaneously, negotiations for a potential exchange of hostages for Palestinians held by Israel continued tentatively, with neighboring Egypt playing a role.

The devastating war has left parts of Gaza in ruins, claiming the lives of approximately 20,400 Palestinians and displacing the majority of the population, which amounts to around 2.3 million people.

The mounting death toll among Israeli troops, with 154 fatalities since the start of the ground offensive, threatens to erode public support for the war. The conflict initially erupted when Hamas-led militants attacked communities in southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the capture of 240 hostages.

Despite increasing international pressure against Israel's offensive and the escalating death toll and suffering among Palestinians, the majority of Israelis continue to support the stated goals of their country, which include eliminating Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and securing the release of the remaining 129 captives.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the need to persevere, saying, "The war exacts a very heavy price from us, but we have no choice but to continue fighting." Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog called for unity and resilience during a nationally televised speech, stating that this moment is a test that they will not falter in.

Israel's government has faced widespread anger and criticism for failing to protect civilians during the October 7 attack and for policies over the years that have allowed Hamas to strengthen. Netanyahu, however, has avoided accepting responsibility for military and policy failures.

As part of its operation to dismantle Hamas' infrastructure, the Israeli military announced the completion of the destruction of the group's underground headquarters in northern Gaza, a significant step in their campaign to eradicate the extensive tunnel network and targeted top commanders. Israeli leaders have warned that this process could take months to complete.

Efforts towards negotiations between Israel and Palestinian factions have also continued. The head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, arrived in Egypt to discuss potential agreements. The militant group, which was also involved in the October 7 attack, indicated a willingness to consider releasing hostages after the conclusion of hostilities. Hamas' leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had previously traveled to Cairo for talks.

The Israeli offensive has been described as one of the most devastating military campaigns in recent history. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, over two-thirds of the 20,000 Palestinians killed have been women and children. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a 13-year-old boy was shot and killed inside al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis during an Israeli drone attack. Gaza City neighborhood, Rafah, on the border with Egypt, also suffered casualties when a house in a refugee camp was struck, resulting in two deaths.

In central Gaza, the Bureij refugee camp was hit by a missile, leaving two people dead and six others wounded. Palestinians in Jabaliya, an area north of Gaza City, reported heavy Israeli bombardment and gunfire. Hamas' military arm claimed that its fighters had retaliated by shelling Israeli troops in Jabaliya and Jabaliya refugee camp.

As international criticism mounts over the civilian death toll, Israel continues to blame Hamas for using residential areas and tunnels to launch attacks. Since October 7, Israel has carried out thousands of airstrikes, claiming to have killed thousands of Hamas militants, although concrete evidence has not been presented.

Israel has also faced allegations of mistreatment of Palestinian men and teenage boys detained during the offensive. The Israeli government denied these claims, stating that individuals without links to militants are swiftly released.

The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for the timely delivery of humanitarian aid to desperate Palestinians and the release of all hostages. However, the specifics of how and when aid deliveries will increase, currently far below the daily average of 500 before the war, remain unclear. The Palestinian Crossings Authority reported that 123 aid trucks entered Gaza on Sunday using two crossings: Rafah, along the Egyptian border, and Kerem Shalom, along the Israeli border.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reiterated the UN's call for a humanitarian cease-fire and expressed his deep sorrow over the destruction of the Gaza health system.

In a separate development, the Iran-backed Houthis confirmed carrying out attacks on Israel-linked ships as a means to urge an end to the Israeli offensive in Gaza.