An Israeli airstrike on Wednesday claimed the lives of at least 15 people in northern Gaza, marking the New Year with devastating loss. Gaza’s Civil Defence Agency described the attack, which occurred in Jabalia, as the first deadly strike of 2025, targeting a house sheltering displaced families.
“The world welcomed the New Year with celebrations and festivities, while we witnessed 2025 begin with the first Israeli massacre in the town of Jabalia just after midnight,” said agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal. According to Bassal, the strike resulted in 15 fatalities and left over 20 injured.
The Israeli military stated it was investigating the reported strike. Since October 6, northern Gaza has faced an intensified land and air offensive, with Jabalia and its adjacent refugee camp experiencing severe bombardments. Israel claims the operation aims to dismantle Hamas militant infrastructure in the region, asserting the elimination of hundreds of fighters. However, local rescuers report thousands of civilian deaths in the area.
On Monday, United Nations human rights experts condemned the ongoing siege, suggesting it may be part of a broader strategy to permanently displace Gaza’s population in preparation for annexation.
The targeted home in Jabalia belonged to members of the Badra, Abu Warda, and Taroush families who had sought refuge there amidst the ongoing conflict. According to Jibri Abu Warda, a relative, the airstrike struck around 1:00 a.m., reducing the house to rubble and leaving rescuers sifting through debris well into the morning.
“It was a massacre, with body parts of children and women scattered everywhere. They were sleeping when the house was bombed,” Abu Warda said. “No one knows why they targeted the house. They were all civilians.”
The victims were transported to Al-Mamadani Hospital, while efforts to locate any survivors continued. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents have been displaced at least once since the conflict erupted on October 7 of the previous year.
