TEL AVIV, Israel - Fourteen Israeli soldiers lost their lives in combat in Gaza over the weekend, as the battle between Israel and Hamas intensifies. These casualties mark some of the bloodiest days of fighting since the ground offensive began, highlighting the determined resistance of Hamas despite weeks of brutal war.

The mounting death toll among Israeli troops serves as a crucial factor in the continued support for the war among Israelis. The conflict was triggered when Hamas-led terrorists stormed communities in southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the tragic deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of 240 individuals. The war has devastatingly impacted Gaza, causing approximately 20,400 Palestinian casualties and displacing almost 85% of the territory's 2.3 million inhabitants.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reported that 166 people were killed in the coastal enclave over the past day alone.

Israelis stand unwavering behind the country's stated objectives, which include crushing Hamas' governing and military capabilities and securing the release of the remaining 129 captives. Despite mounting international pressure against Israel's offensive and the soaring death toll and unprecedented suffering among Palestinians, the support for these goals has largely remained steady.

However, the increasing number of Israeli soldiers who have fallen in combat - 153 since the ground offensive began - could potentially undermine this support. The deaths of soldiers are a sensitive subject in Israel, given the country's compulsory military service for most Jews. The names of fallen soldiers are announced hourly during newscasts, further emphasizing their sacrifice.

As Christmas Eve arrived, smoke continued to rise over Gaza while Bethlehem in the West Bank remained somber, with holiday celebrations canceled.

The 14 Israeli soldiers killed on Friday and Saturday perished in central and southern Gaza, highlighting the resilience of Hamas even as Israel claims to have dealt a significant blow to the militant group.

According to Israeli Army Radio, four soldiers were killed when their vehicle was struck by an anti-tank missile, while others lost their lives in separate skirmishes. Additionally, another soldier was killed in northern Israel by fire from the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah, raising concerns about a potential wider regional conflict.

Despite the heavy toll of war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the necessity to continue the fight during a Cabinet meeting on Sunday, stating, "The war exacts a very heavy price from us, but we have no choice but to continue fighting."

Netanyahu's government has faced widespread anger and criticism, with many accusing it of failing to protect civilians during the initial attack on October 7 and promoting policies that allowed Hamas to gain strength over the years. However, the prime minister has avoided accepting responsibility for these military and policy failures.

On Saturday night, thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to demonstrate their dissent, chanting "Bibi, Bibi, we don't want you anymore," referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

Israel's offensive has resulted in one of the most devastating military campaigns in recent history. According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, more than two-thirds of the 20,000 Palestinians killed have been women and children, as the ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

Reports emerged on Sunday morning of a 13-year-old boy shot and killed in an Israeli drone attack while inside al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, an area where Israel's military suspects Hamas leaders are hiding.

An overnight strike by Israel also hit a house in a refugee camp on Gaza's border with Egypt, resulting in the deaths of at least two men, according to the Associated Press journalists present at the hospital where the bodies were taken.

Palestinians reported heavy Israeli bombardment and gunfire in Jabaliya, an area north of Gaza City which Israel had claimed to control. Hamas' military arm announced that its fighters had shelled Israeli troops in Jabaliya and Jabaliya refugee camp.

Israel continues to face international criticism for the high civilian death toll, but it places responsibility on Hamas, citing the group's use of densely populated residential areas and tunnels. Israel has carried out thousands of airstrikes since October 7, but it has refrained from commenting on specific attacks.

Additionally, Israel has been accused of mistreating Palestinian men and teenage boys detained in homes, shelters, hospitals, and other locations during the offensive. Israel denies these allegations of abuse and maintains that those without ties to terrorism are promptly released.

Calls for a cease-fire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to desperate Palestinians have grown louder. The United Nations Security Council passed a modified resolution calling for the swift delivery of aid and the release of all hostages, but not explicitly for a cease-fire.

It remains uncertain how and when aid deliveries, currently far below the pre-war average of 500 per day, will accelerate. Aid trucks currently enter Gaza through two crossings: Rafah on the border with Egypt and Kerem Shalom on the border with Israel. On Saturday, 93 aid trucks entered Gaza through Rafah, according to Wael Abu Omar, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Crossings Authority.

Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, reiterated the urgent need for a humanitarian cease-fire, emphasizing its role in providing aid, preventing further displacement, and halting the devastating loss of lives.

While Israel's European allies have stepped up their calls for an end to the fighting, the United States, Israel's top ally, continues to support Israel while urging greater protection for civilians. U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Saturday, and though Biden did not call for a cease-fire, Netanyahu's office stated that Israel would persist in the conflict until all its goals were achieved.