On December 2, 2025, a fresh wave of violence swept across the Palestinian territories, leaving four Palestinians dead—two in Gaza and two suspected attackers in the West Bank—just as Israel prepared to receive the remains of what are believed to be the last hostages held by militants in Gaza. The anticipated return of these remains, facilitated by the Red Cross, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and the militant groups in Gaza. Yet, as this chapter of the hostage crisis nears its end, the region remains on edge, with bloodshed and uncertainty threatening the fragile truce.
According to reports from the PTI and Millennium Post, Israeli fire killed two Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday, including journalist Mohamed Wadi, who was struck in the southern city of Khan Younis by an Israeli drone. Officials at Nasser Hospital, who received Wadi’s body, confirmed his identity and profession. Wadi, known for his drone footage documenting the conflict, became one of many journalists who have lost their lives while reporting from the front lines in Gaza. The toll on Palestinian journalists has been described as heavy, with the ongoing conflict making their work perilous.
Also on Tuesday, another Palestinian man was fatally shot near the eastern side of the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, as reported by Al-Awda Hospital. The Gaza Health Ministry stated that more than 350 Palestinians have been killed across the territory since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2023, bringing a temporary halt to the Israel-Hamas war. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government but is staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records that are generally regarded as reliable by the international community. Israel’s military did not immediately comment on either of Tuesday’s deaths but has previously stated that such killings are often in response to militants firing at their forces.
The return of hostage remains has become a focal point in the ceasefire process. In a statement on Tuesday, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office said it was expecting to receive the remains from the Red Cross, which would then be taken for forensic testing to confirm their identities. It was not immediately clear if the transfer to the Red Cross had already occurred, but the remains are believed to be those of the final two hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian militants—a raid that triggered the current war. Almost all hostages or their remains have been returned through previous ceasefires or negotiated deals, but this final exchange carries significant emotional and political weight for both sides.
While Gaza remains tense, violence has also flared in the occupied West Bank. On Tuesday morning, Israeli troops shot and killed a suspect who had stabbed two soldiers near Ateret, an Israeli settlement north of Ramallah in central West Bank. The military stated that the incident was under review. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that an 18-year-old Palestinian was killed north of Ramallah, although it was not immediately clear if this referred to the same incident. Israel’s Mada rescue service confirmed that two soldiers were lightly wounded in the stabbing attack.
Meanwhile, in the southern West Bank near Hebron, the Israeli army fatally shot a Palestinian who had earlier carried out a car-ramming attack that wounded a soldier. The army reported that the suspect attempted to flee as they tried to arrest him and was shot while allegedly endangering the soldiers. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the suspect as a 17-year-old resident of Hebron. Late Monday, Hamas issued a statement celebrating the ramming attack near Hebron, describing it as “in the context of the legitimate response of our people” to Israel’s ongoing raids in the West Bank, though the group did not formally claim responsibility for the attack.
The West Bank has seen a marked escalation in Israeli military operations since the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in more than 250 hostages being taken. Israel maintains that its offensive is aimed at rooting out militants, but Palestinians argue that many of those killed have been stone-throwers, protesters, or uninvolved civilians. In recent weeks, Israeli settlers have also increased attacks on Palestinian civilians, further inflaming tensions. The cycle of violence has led to fears that unrest in the West Bank could spill over and undermine the already fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
Adding to the turmoil, on December 1, 2025, Israel’s military demolished the home of Abdul Karim Sanoubar, a suspected Palestinian militant accused of planting bombs on buses in central Israel in February. The operation, which took place in the city of Nablus, saw troops evacuate 13 homes around the building before demolishing it, with a plume of smoke billowing out as the structure was destroyed. Home demolitions have long been a contentious tactic, with Israel arguing they deter attacks, while Palestinians and human rights groups condemn them as collective punishment.
Beyond the borders of Gaza and the West Bank, the conflict’s reach has extended into southern Lebanon. On Tuesday, Israel’s military launched another round of strikes against targets in the region, accusing the militant group Hezbollah of failing to disarm following a US-brokered ceasefire last year that ended two months of war. These strikes have become almost daily occurrences, underscoring the broader regional implications of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the potential for further escalation.
As of the latest reports, the Gaza Health Ministry says the Palestinian death toll since the conflict began has topped 70,100. The staggering number highlights the immense human cost of the war, which began with the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. While ceasefires and negotiated deals have led to the return of most hostages or their remains, the violence and loss continue to reverberate across the region.
Both Israeli and Palestinian officials have accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms, making the path to lasting peace uncertain. With the return of the final hostage remains on the horizon, hopes for a more durable truce persist, but the ongoing violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and beyond suggests that the road ahead remains fraught with danger and distrust.
In the midst of these developments, the people of Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel are left to navigate the daily realities of a conflict that shows little sign of abating. Each casualty, demolished home, and returned hostage serves as a stark reminder of the deep wounds and unresolved grievances that continue to shape life in the region.