Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 12 Palestinians, as War Enters New Year

What Happened?

Israeli strikes have entered the new year in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 12 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to reports.

The Associated Press cited Gaza’s Health Ministry that said one strike hit a home in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, which stands as one of the most heavily destroyed areas.

Since dawn, the expected death toll has risen, according to Qatar-based outlet Al Jazeera.

The Israeli strikes also reportedly occurred in the central Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City, and southern Khan Younis.

The incidents come after Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly warned while on a visit to the city of Netivot, that Israel would step up its strikes if Hamas kept firing rockets at Israel.

Sirens reportedly sounded off at midnight on Wednesday as missiles crossed from the Gaza Strip.

'If Hamas does not soon allow the release of the Israeli hostages and does not stop firing at Israel, it will receive blows with a force not seen in Gaza for a long time,' Katz said in his statement.

The United Nations Human Rights Office reportedly said that Israeli attacks on and around hospitals have pushed Gaza's healthcare system to 'the brink of total collapse.'

Why it Matters

Israel recently took a prominent hospital director into Israeli custody after its military reportedly raided the last functioning hospital in besieged northern Gaza.

Israeli officials claim the Kamal Adwan Hospital facility was being used as Hamas' command center.

IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said in a social media post that Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya was detained and questioned as a ‘suspect’ over ‘potential involvement in terrorist activity.’

U.N. officials are now raising serious concerns about war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts to end the nearly 15-month war in Gaza.

Israel would like to see Israeli hostages freed, while Hamas has consistently demanded a full withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Instead, the two sides have been in a deadlock for months despite the two sides reportedly wanting to make a deal.

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said recently that a ‘ceasefire is long overdue.'

At least 45,553 Palestinians have been killed since the war began Oct. 7, 2023, Gaza’s Health Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Around 90% of Gaza’s residents have also been forced from their homes as a result of the war.

At least six infants have reportedly died from the cold in recent days as heavy rains flooded hundreds of makeshift shelters for forcibly displaced Palestinians.

Israel has also made entry of humanitarian aid extremely difficult, according to reports.

How it Affects You

President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan, 20, has recently warned there would be 'all hell to pay in the Middle East' if hostages held in Gaza are not released by the time he returns to office.

The U.S. administration, joined by mediators from Egypt and Qatar, has reportedly made intensive efforts to help push negotiations as the world awaits a deal.

Trump was asked during his New Year's Eve gala at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida if he had recently spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

'We’re gonna see what happens,' Trump replied as a potential ceasefire looms.

Trump replied, before adding, 'I’ll put it this way: They better let the hostages come back soon.'