Israeli strike on refugee camp kills 106

An Israeli airstrike on Al-Maghazi refugee camp, in the Gaza Strip, killed 106 people.

Local media reported seeing scenes of distraught Palestinians carrying their dead, including a baby, and tending to the wounded at a nearby hospital after the attack on the refugee camp east of Deir al-Bala.

According to the hospital's initial data, among the reported 106 victims there are at least 12 women and 7 children.

"We were all targeted," said Ahmad Turkomani, who lost several family members, including his daughter and grandson. "There is no safe place in Gaza anyway."

The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

As Christmas Eve approached, smoke billowed over the besieged territory, and on the West Bank Bethlehem was quiet, holiday celebrations cancelled.

In neighboring Egypt, preliminary efforts continued to reach an agreement on another hostage exchange for Palestinians held by Israel.

The Israelis still largely support their country's stated goals of breaking Hamas's administrative and military capacity and freeing the remaining 129 captives./BGNES