Israel-Hamas Conflict: Houthis Attack India-Bound Ship; Israeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Khan Yunis Commander

KEY POINTS

• Israeli officials discussing possibility of sparing Hamas leaders as a way of ending war: Report
• ICRC chief said Red Cross "cannot enforce" Israel's demand of access to hostages
• Israeli army said it dismantled Hamas' underground headquarters in northern Gaza

Live Updates

Pictured: buildings destroyed during Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, on Nov. 8, 2023. The Israeli army continues to move across the Gaza Strip, with Khan Yunis among the focal points of the operations. (Credit: AFP)

The Israel-Hamas War has entered its 80^th day with the Israeli army announcing that it has assassinated a Hamas commander in the Khan Yunis area. The development came after the Israeli military deepened ground operations in what is known as the hometown of Hamas' most senior official in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar.

Yemeni Houthi rebels continued their disruption of commercial shipping in the Red Sea over the weekend, as two vessels, one reportedly bound to India, were targeted by the rebel army's drones.

Hopes for a respite in the fighting grew over the weekend after reports emerged about Egypt offering the warring sides a three-phase ceasefire deal that could lead to the release of dozens more hostages.

• Exile of Hamas leadership discussed as a possible long-term option: Report
• All roads near Israel's northern border with Lebanon to be shut: National broadcaster
• PIJ leader reiterated to Egypt that no hostages will be freed unless there's a truce: Report
• Israeli tank fires at Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon
• Israeli diplomat slams 'scandalous' Red Cross for failing to pressure Hamas for hostage access
• Maersk preparing to resume operations in the Red Sea
• Shalit deal negotiator says Egypt's offer addresses 2 of Israel's main war goals
• Israeli army has 'degraded' most of Hamas' combat capabilities: IDF spokesperson
• IDF blows up Hamas weapons manufacturing facility

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) suffered another huge loss over the weekend, with 10 soldiers falling in battles in all three regions of the Gaza Strip, marking one of the deadliest days in the Israeli army's ground offensive.

Meanwhile, in the northern border, more communities have announced that roads will be closed starting Monday morning due to worsening attacks by Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday admitted that the war is "exacting a very heavy cost." He reiterated that Israel has no choice but to continue until Hamas can no longer threaten the Israeli people's future.

Netanyahu's words draw from the long Israel-Palestine conflict history laden with deadly violence and bitter words that ignited attacks against Israel by Hamas allies and other Iran-backed terror groups such as the Houthis and Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

The live update has ended.

5 hr ago 06:52 AM EST

IDF demolishes Hamas weapons manufacturing site

The Israeli army demolished a Hamas site used "for the production of weapons" and a "concrete factory that was used to build tunnels," the IDF said in a statement Monday afternoon local time.

מייצור אמצעי הלחימה עד השמדתם - תיעוד מפשיטה על מחרטה לייצור אמצעי לחימה, איתור מצבור אמצעי לחימה והשמדתו על ידי צוות הקרב של חטיבה 4 במרחב חאן יונס

לכל הפרטים: https://t.co/bdx54RPJ4y pic.twitter.com/td5OZQxQOG

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 25, 2023