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Three-year-old killed in Rafah
Israeli troops shot and killed a three-year-old Palestinian girl in southern Gaza on Sunday, local sources reported. Ahed Tareq al-Bayouk was playing near her family's tent in the Mawasi area of Rafah when the incident occurred.
Israeli military responds
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated it had "no knowledge of a strike" in the area but would "conduct an additional review" once further details were provided.
Ceasefire under scrutiny
Since a truce took effect in October, at least 370 people, including 140 children, have died in Gaza, according to Amnesty International. The fatal shooting of al-Bayouk reportedly happened on the Palestinian side of the so-called Yellow Line, a boundary Israeli forces agreed to withdraw behind as part of the first phase of a U.S.-brokered plan to end hostilities.
Hostage situation unresolved
The initial phase of the ceasefire agreement also required the return of all living and deceased hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. While most have been released, the remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, 24, are still unaccounted for. Gvili was killed while attempting to repel the attack, which left approximately 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reports over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military offensive. The World Health Organization estimates at least 16,500 wounded or critically ill individuals urgently need evacuation for medical treatment outside Gaza. Independent media access to the territory remains blocked by Israeli authorities.
Diplomatic efforts continue
Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, described the current situation as a "pause" rather than a true ceasefire. Qatar, alongside the U.S., Turkey, and Egypt, is working to advance the plan to its second phase, which includes establishing an interim governing authority in Gaza, deploying an international security force, and disarming Hamas. The proposal also outlines a pathway to Palestinian statehood and eventual Israeli withdrawal.
Political divisions persist
Following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that a Palestinian state could pave the way for "a new Middle East." Netanyahu, however, reiterated his opposition to a two-state solution, arguing that such a state would "destroy the one and only Jewish state."
"We believe there is a path to advance a broader peace with the Arab states, and a path also to establish a workable peace with our Palestinian neighbors, but we're not going to create a state that will be committed to our destruction."
Benjamin Netanyahu
Next steps
Netanyahu and German officials agreed to push forward with the second phase of the U.S. plan once Gvili's remains are returned. The Israeli leader is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on December 29 to discuss further steps.
