Timeline of the Israel–Hamas war (24 November 2023 – 11 January 2024)

This is a timeline of this that happened in December 2023 during Palestinian-Israeli War 2023-2024.

### Background

On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel. About 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 were taken hostage on the Israeli side.

### 1 December 2023 – Day 56

The temporary ceasefire ended, and Israel restarted its blockade and large air and ground attacks on Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out hundreds of air and artillery strikes, especially around Khan Younis, as part of a new ground operation.
Armed groups in Gaza, including Hamas, answered with clashes against Israeli forces, using mortars and RPGs on vehicles, and firing rockets toward Tel Aviv, Ashdod, and towns near the Gaza border.

### 2 December 2023 – Day 57

Israel continued bombardments across Gaza, including Jabalia and Khan Younis. Hamas and other fighters clashed with Israeli troops and launched rockets at Israeli towns.
- An Israeli airstrike hit the Jabalia refugee camp, killing hundreds, including Dr Sufyan Tayeh, president of the Islamic University in Gaza.
- Hamas released video of fighters attacking Israeli vehicles in Beit Hanoun.
- The IDF said Colonel Assaf Hamami had been killed on 7 October and Hamas held his body.

### 3–4 December 2023 – Days 58–59

Israel expanded ground operations in Khan Younis, hitting more than 50 targets.
Hamas said it destroyed over 20 Israeli military vehicles, carried out sniper attacks, and used explosives against advancing troops.
Israel said it destroyed tunnels and weapons sites.

### 5–6 December 2023 – Days 60–61

Heavy fighting continued in Khan Younis and Jabalia. Israel carried out large bombardments on refugee camps.
At the same time, Hamas launched rockets toward central Israel and clashed with Israeli troops in urban areas.

### 8 December 2023 – Day 63

Israel said it struck over 450 targets in Gaza in 24 hours.
Hamas continued rocket fire into Israel, with several barrages reaching Tel Aviv and towns in southern Israel.

### 13 December 2023 – Day 62

In Shuja’iyya, Hamas fighters ambushed Israeli Golani Brigade forces. Ten Israeli soldiers, including Col. Yitzhak Ben-Bashat, were killed, and a military vehicle was destroyed.

### 14–26 December 2023 – Days 63–76 (Battle of Shuja’iyya)

Israel launched a major assault in Shuja’iyya, with weeks of heavy fighting against Hamas and other groups. On 26 December, Israel announced it had dismantled the Hamas battalion there and withdrew, but rocket and mortar fire continued afterward.
Israel reported 16 soldiers killed and said more than 900 Hamas fighters were killed.

### 24–25 December 2023 – Days 79–80 (Maghazi Camp Strike)

An Israeli airstrike on Al-Maghazi refugee camp killed more than 100 people, according to Hamas officials.
During the same period, Hamas launched long-range rockets toward Tel Aviv and Ashdod. Sirens sounded across central Israel, though most rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome.

### 26–27 December 2023 – Days 81–82 (Kamal Adwan Hospital)

Israeli forces operated near Kamal Adwan Hospital. Strikes on nearby buildings caused many deaths.
On 27 December, the IDF entered the hospital area, detained over 200 people including the director, and said Hamas was using medical facilities for military purposes.

### End of December

By the end of December 2023, Israel’s ground offensive continued in Khan Younis and central Gaza, while Hamas kept launching rockets into Israel and fighting Israeli forces inside the Gaza Strip.

### Summary of December 2023

The following table gives an overview of reported events and figures during December 2023. Numbers come from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Gaza Health Ministry, and international media. Figures cannot be independently verified.

## Related pages

- 7 October 2023 attack on Israel
- The Palestinian-Israeli War 2023