Israel shifts focus to Hamas targets in south

CAIRO/JERUSALEM — Israel said its armed forces were increasingly focused on Hamas targets in south Gaza on Sunday, after the UN Security Council appealed for more aid for the enclave.

Signaling a pivot after weeks of intensive fighting around Gaza City, the Israeli army said troops were now looking to the Hamas stronghold of Khan Younis and elsewhere in the south, where most displaced Palestinians are trapped.

The refugee camp-turned-city is the birthplace and power base of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza.

Israel's chief military spokesperson said on Saturday that its forces had achieved almost complete operational control of northern Gaza and were preparing to expand the ground offensive to other areas in the strip, with a focus on the south.

More than a dozen Israeli soldiers were killed in combat over the weekend, the Israeli military said, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that the conflict in Gaza was exacting a "very heavy price".

US President Joe Biden discussed the situation with Netanyahu on Saturday. Israel's main ally has kept up its support while expressing concern over the growing casualty toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Biden declined to detail his conversation with Netanyahu, telling reporters it was a "private conversation." But, he added: "I did not ask for a cease-fire."

Biden and Netanyahu talked in detail about Israeli military operations in Gaza, including "its objectives and phasing", the need to protect civilian lives and securing the release of hostages being held captive, the White House said.

US officials have said they want and expect Israel soon to shift its military operations in Gaza to a lower-intensity phase during which there will be more targeted operations focused on the Hamas leadership and its infrastructure.

UN vote

After days of wrangling to avert a threatened US veto, the UN Security Council on Friday passed a resolution urging steps to allow "safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access" to Gaza and "conditions for a sustainable cessation" of fighting.

The resolution was toned down from earlier drafts that called for an immediate end to 11 weeks of conflict and diluting Israeli control over aid deliveries, clearing the way for the vote in which the United States abstained.

The proposed resolution, presented by the United Arab Emirates, garnered support from 13 council members.

Christians held a somber Christmas vigil in Bethlehem in the West Bank on Saturday, with candle-lit hymns and prayers for peace in Gaza instead of the usual festive celebrations.

Most years Bethlehem basks in the central place it holds in the Christian story of Jesus' life.

But with Israel's campaign in Gaza, this year people in Bethlehem decided to have no large tree, the usual centerpiece of Christmas celebrations.

Syrians also canceled Christmas festivities in solidarity with Gaza. Aleppo's central district of Azizia is usually home to a bustling festive market and a huge Christmas tree, while its streets are adorned with lights and trinkets. But this year, the main square is almost empty and there are no Christmas decorations in sight.

Agencies - Xinhua