AN ISRAELI AIR strike killed at least 15 people in the territory’s north today, Gaza’s civil defence agency has said, in what it called the first deadly attack of the New Year.

“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,” agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told reporters.

Fifteen people were kiled and more than 20 were injured in the strike on a house where displaced people were living, Bassal said.

The Israeli military told reporters that it was looking into the reported strike, which occurred at around 1:00 am (11:pm Tuesday Irish Time).

Since October 6, the military has been conducting a major land and air offensive in northern Gaza, particularly targeting Jabalia and its adjacent refugee camp.

Bassal said those living in the house were members of three separate families who had sought refuge there.

The dead and wounded from the strike in Jabalia were taken to Al-Mamadani Hospital, a rescuer said. A relative said rescuers were still searching for any survivors.

Jibri Abu Warda, a local, described how the house was “turned into a pile of debris”, adding that rescuers were only able to reach the targeted house in 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.”

In a separate Israeli strike this morning in the Al-Manara neighbourhood of Khan Yunis, at least four people were killed, Gaza’s civil defence agency said.

Conflict since 7th October 2023 has killed at least 45,553 people in Gaza, the majority civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, figures which the United Nations considers reliable.