DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes killed at least 12 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including women and children, officials reported on Wednesday. The ongoing 15-month conflict shows no signs of abating as the new year begins.
One strike targeted a residence in Jabaliya, a severely devastated region in northern Gaza, where Israel has intensified military operations since October. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the attack claimed seven lives, including a woman and four children, while injuring over a dozen others.
In central Gaza’s Bureij refugee camp, another overnight airstrike resulted in the deaths of a woman and a child, as confirmed by Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The military had ordered evacuations in the area, citing planned retaliatory strikes for recent rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. A third strike in Khan Younis, a southern city, killed three individuals, local hospitals reported.
Prolonged Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting around 250. Israeli forces have since conducted extensive air and ground operations in Gaza, resulting in over 45,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. More than half of the casualties reportedly include women and children, though the number of militants among the deceased remains unclear.
Israel’s military maintains that its operations target militants and holds Hamas accountable for civilian casualties due to its activities in densely populated areas. The army claims to have eliminated 17,000 militants but has not provided corroborating evidence.
The conflict has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced 90% of its 2.3 million residents, with many forced to live in temporary shelters along the coast. As winter sets in with temperatures dropping below 10°C (50°F), harsh conditions have led to deaths from hypothermia, including six infants, according to health officials.
Stalled Ceasefire Efforts
Despite extensive mediation efforts by U.S. and Arab diplomats, negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage releases have faltered. Hamas has called for a permanent truce, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue military operations until achieving “total victory” over militant forces.
Population Exodus Raises Concerns
The prolonged conflict has also led to significant emigration from Israel. In 2024, over 82,000 Israelis moved abroad, while only 33,000 immigrated to the country, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. This marks the second consecutive year of net population decline, raising fears of a potential “brain drain” in critical sectors such as healthcare and technology.
Investigation into Civilian Death in Lebanon
In a separate incident, the Israeli military is investigating the death of 70-year-old archaeologist Zeev Erlich and a soldier in southern Lebanon in November. The pair were killed during an ambush by Hezbollah forces in a combat zone. Erlich, a prominent researcher and West Bank settler, was reportedly exploring an archaeological site while dressed in military attire.
The military cited operational lapses and a breakdown in discipline as contributing factors. A broader inquiry aims to address unauthorized civilian entry into combat zones, an issue that has drawn criticism and calls for stricter enforcement of military protocols.
