Palestinians said they felt “no joy” this Christmas as Israel bombed the besieged Palestinian territory this morning, with no end in sight to the war that Hamas says has claimed more than 20,000 lives, according to AFP.

In the Gaza Strip, Hamas reported 50 strikes in central areas early on Monday, including in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

At a hospital in the southern city of Khan Yunis, the centre of recent fighting, Fadi Sayegh — whose family has previously received permits to travel to Bethlehem for celebrations — said he would not be celebrating Christmas this year.

“There is no joy. No Christmas tree, no decorations, no family dinner, no celebrations,” he said while undergoing dialysis. “I pray for this war to be over soon.” Sister Nabila Salah from the Catholic Holy Church in Gaza — where two Christian women were killed by an Israeli sniper earlier this month according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem — struck a sombre tone.

“All Christmas celebrations have been cancelled,” she told AFP. “How do we celebrate when we are… hearing the sound of tanks and bombardment instead of the ringing of bells?”