Because the world welcomed 2025, tensions in Israel and Palestine escalated dramatically, with over 600 Israeli settlers storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, whereas Israeli forces launched a lethal strike in Gaza, leaving 15 Palestinians useless and dozens extra injured.
Based on Wafa information company, 632 Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound underneath the safety of Israeli police, partaking in provocative excursions of the holy web site and performing Talmudic rituals.
The actions, which violate the long-standing established order allowing solely Muslim prayer on the web site, have been met with condemnation from native sources, who additionally reported that Israeli police had blocked Palestinians from getting into the Outdated Metropolis of occupied East Jerusalem, together with entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Whereas these confrontations unfolded in Jerusalem, the Israeli army continued its bombardment of Gaza the place shortly after midnight, the city of Jabalia was struck by an airstrike focusing on a home the place displaced households had taken refuge.
Civil protection company spokesman Mahmud Bassal confirmed that 15 folks have been martyred, and greater than 20 others have been injured within the assault. Rescue staff struggled to tug victims from the rubble of the collapsed home, which had been dwelling to the Badra, Abu Warda, and Taroush households.
“The home has became a pile of particles,” mentioned Jibri Abu Warda, a relative of the victims. “It was a bloodbath, with physique elements of youngsters and ladies scattered in every single place. They have been sleeping when the home was bombed. Nobody is aware of why they focused the home. They have been all civilians.”
Since October 6, Israel’s army operations in northern Gaza, significantly in Jabalia, have intensified, with claims of focusing on Hamas militants whereas inflicting intensive civilian casualties.
The United Nations has condemned the continued siege, with specialists suggesting it could be a part of an effort to completely displace Gaza’s inhabitants as a precursor to annexation.
As the brand new 12 months begins with continued violence, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza deepens, with practically all of its 2.4 million residents having been displaced a minimum of as soon as for the reason that battle started in October 2023.