Israel-Hamas war live: Gaza death toll nears 18,000 amid Israeli attacks

Palestinians are closing down their shops – including pharmacies, bakeries and street vendors – and all aspects of life in various areas of the occupied West Bank in solidarity with those in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Palestinians are hoping that by doing this, the world will take notice and this will translate into increased pressure on Israel.

Their main demand is for a ceasefire in Gaza but they also want the world to pressure Israel to end the occupation.

For Palestinians, strikes have historically been important ways to shed light on their situation. It’s also a sign of unity that they’re all united against the Israeli occupation.

The situation in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the need to put people first, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abshir Omar Jama said in a speech at the Doha Forum.

Global leaders have gathered for a second day in the Qatari capital with discussions on how to ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza and agree a ceasefire topping this year’s agenda.

The Somali official emphasised the importance of involving the “international community to address the underlying causes of suppressed advocacy for the protection and dignity of the civilian population, including children and vulnerable groups who are disproportionately affected”.

Palestine’s Commission for Detainees’ Affairs says Israel is currently holding 142 female Palestinian prisoners, including children and elderly, who were arrested during the ground invasion in Gaza.

It added that they were being detained in several prisons, including Damon and Hasharon.

As of the end of November, Israel said 260 Palestinians from Gaza were held in Israel, whom it classifies as illegal combatants. Gaza residents with permits to work in Israel found themselves stuck outside the besieged enclave after Israel launched its relentless bombardment.

The overnight bombardment across the Gaza Strip just confirmed what people have been saying: The Israeli military is targeting civilians in their homes when they’re sleeping or eating with their families.

We’re seeing civilians being killed at a historic pace.

Maghazi is a densely populated refugee camp in central Gaza … in a very densely populated neighbourhood. Homes were targeted overnight and 23 people were reported killed. Many were injured around those houses that were targeted.

The lack of equipment for rescue crews makes it very difficult to help those who might have survived. People are using their hands to remove rubble and save as many as they can.

Nuseirat – another densely populated refugee camp – was also targeted in what seems to be a war on refugee camps.

Crossfire on the Lebanon-Israel border is continuing.

We’re getting reports that at least eight rockets were fired from Lebanon at the northern Israeli city of Ma’alot-Tarshiha this morning, The Times of Israel said.

Footage published on social media shows rockets fired from southern Lebanon into northern Israel being intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system. Some rockets appeared to have landed in open areas. There are no reports of injuries.

In southern Lebanon, an Al Jazeera correspondent said an Israeli artillery bombardment targeted the vicinity of the towns of Naqoura, Zibqin, Yarin, Marwahin and Jebbayn.

Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since the war in Gaza erupted two months ago in their worst hostilities since a 2006 conflict. The violence has largely been contained to the border area.

Protesters in Guernica form the Palestinian flag in the same market square that was bombed by Nazi and fascist forces during the Spanish civil war.

The Doha Forum resumes today in the Qatari capital with the war in Gaza expected to top the agenda again.

Speakers and panellists on the opening day highlighted the need for an urgent ceasefire and halt to Israel’s continued bombing of the besieged enclave that has killed almost 18,000 people.

Our correspondents Virginia Pietromarchi and Alma Milisic are at the event and will bring you all the major developments.