Israelis celebrate the first night of Hanukkah across the country in varied ways. In Tel Aviv, hundreds gathered to light 138 candles at the Jewish Festival of Lights, one for each person currently detained in the Gaza Strip. In Jerusalem, clashes erupted as far-right groups pushed toward the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, while police blocked them from entering. They called for the restoration of a building under tight police oversight, and urged Jewish control over sacred spaces around the Temple Mount and the Promenade of Mosques, the holiest site in Judaism or the third in Islam. In Tel Aviv, a 13-meter-tall menorah was installed in a Palestinian neighborhood of the city as soldiers and civilians observed the ceremony. Meanwhile, the majority of soldiers were not resting, as operations in Gaza continued with increased intensity, and dozens of Palestinians were killed. Exiles reportedly were pushed toward the Egyptian border. The scene on the ground showed a nation preparing for celebration even as conflict raged. Officials criticized the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after his latest appeal aimed at de-escalation.
“Over the next 20 years, Israel will look very different because of what happened on October 7,” stated a participant named Fayga Signs. An Israeli American arriving at the gates of the Old City Jerusalem joined a far-right march, insisting that what belongs to them must be theirs and that concessions to opponents are unacceptable. He spoke with strong conviction about a spiritual duty to return to what he calls God’s chosen homeland. Outside the main march, most participants and security forces were in control, while many young people shouted Hebrew songs and debated their beliefs in languages that mixed English with a Californian accent and Buenos Aires Spanish.
“Threat to world peace”
One marcher, a yeshiva student who loves Israel and calls it his homeland, explained that the march was intended to coincide with border tensions to demonstrate that the land belongs to the Jewish people. The event highlighted the tension inside Jerusalem after months of escalating violence. Critics argued that the recent security posture echoed broader demands by political leaders, including criticisms of the UN Secretary-General. Some Portuguese officials described the Hamas attack as the result of a long history of occupied status rather than a vacuum; others urged resignation from leaders who were seen as failing to prevent the escalation. The UN Secretary-General’s call for a ceasefire was framed by supporters as a necessary step to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza.
Guterres had invoked Article 99 of the United Nations Charter, urging member states to pursue an immediate ceasefire in light of the mounting casualties. From the north to the south, bombings reached Gaza City and other areas, including neighborhoods that Israel had previously deemed safe. The most severe attacks had claimed lives, with Gaza’s health authorities reporting thousands of fatalities and tens of thousands injured, many in hospitals beneath siege conditions.
A few photographs circulated showing Israeli soldiers detaining dozens of Palestinians north of a residential district. Figures described the detainees in varying terms, with some claims suggesting militia members from Hamas, while other reports indicated civilians seeking shelter at a United Nations facility. The military stated that those detained were suspected militants; witness accounts, however, suggested they were individuals in distress at a shelter site.
WATCH: A 13-meter-high Hanukkah menorah stands in the heart of Shejaiya inside Gaza. The scene was shared by observers and reporters alike as the holiday proceeded in a region under heavy strain. – Attribution: Bithaon Sadei, recorded image; shared on social media by i24NEWS English and others.
Egypt does not want Gazans to be left behind in the conflict. Attacks from southern Lebanon also caused damage on both sides. If Hezbollah escalates, the Israeli prime minister warned that southern Lebanon and Beirut could be surrounded if necessary. Egypt’s information service noted concerns about Israel’s actions, suggesting that operations in the West Bank may be aimed at moving Palestinians south toward the Sinai border, while Egypt encouraged a resolution that would protect civilians and prevent further displacement.
LAST MINUTE: Israel released footage claiming arrests of Hamas fighters. Critics caution that such footage should be scrutinized carefully due to past misrepresentations. First question: why were the detainees wearing slippers? This question circulated online as analysts urged readers to verify the reported information using multiple sources.
Still, the situation on the ground remained dire. In the south of Gaza tens of thousands had nowhere to return. Images from across the region showed despair, famine, and destruction as humanitarian aid trickled in. Prices continued to rise, with staples like flour becoming almost unaffordable for many residents. Evacuation orders urged people to move further south while Israeli ground operations persisted.