As fireworks lit up the skies above symbolic monuments and festive crowds thronged major cities across the world to usher in New Year 2025, Gaza was bracing for an unenviable reality of bereavement, destruction, and despair. Meanwhile, the world outside was welcoming hope and rebirth, while Palestinians in Gaza went through another installment of continuous violence and humanitarian crisis as Israel pounded them with attacks and blockaded them.
New Year 2025 in Gaza vs Rest of the World
Worldwide Celebrations
Across continents, nations rang in the new year with vibrant festivities. In Europe, London’s Thames lit up with spectacular fireworks, and Paris celebrated with dazzling light shows at the Eiffel Tower. Asia saw grand celebrations, with Sydney Harbour Bridge’s fireworks captivating millions and Dubai’s Burj Khalifa displaying an awe-inspiring laser and pyrotechnic spectacle.
Africa and South America joined in with cultural performances, concerts, and public gatherings to celebrate the diversity of celebrations across the world. In North America, New York City’s Times Square remained the focal point where crowds braved the cold to witness the ball drop.
Whereas these festivities symbolized unity and hope globally, the situation in New Year 2025 in Gaza painted a grimly different picture.
The Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
At least 17 Palestinians were killed on New Year’s Day in Israeli airstrikes and artillery bombardments that pounded the northern Jabalia area and the central Bureij refugee camp. The growing casualty count came after a devastating toll of death that has passed 45,541 Palestinians at least since the war started last October 2023, while 108,000 or more are said to be wounded. Patients and health workers are buried under an ever-growing pile of victims.
Lives Lost and Families Displaced
The dawn of 2025 saw no reprieve for Gaza’s beleaguered population. Families lost loved ones in Israeli attacks on residential buildings. Flooding from torrential rains exacerbated the situation, causing damage to tarpaulin shelters in Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah. Refugee camps housing thousands lost more than 1,500 tents. Within one week of chilly weather, six infants lost their lives due to hypothermia, and it was only the beginning for displaced families facing winter’s harsh conditions.
Gaza Health System on the Brink of Collapse
Gaza’s health system is in shambles as repeated attacks have destroyed the infrastructure, and hospitals are no longer functional. The critical hospital, Kamal Adwan Hospital, is not functioning anymore. Medical staff is under pressure as they try to treat casualties with dwindling supplies and equipment. The United Nations has condemned attacks on healthcare facilities, saying there is no credible evidence to prove claims that these sites are used for military purposes.
Global Celebrations: A Stark Contrast
While smoke filled Gaza’s skies and booms echoed there, countries all over the world were celebrating with fireworks and festivities. Let’s take a look at how different continents marked the arrival of 2025:
Asia
In Asia, the countries of Japan and South Korea welcomed the new year with ceremonies of old and modern light shows. India’s cities were hosting cultural events, while Thailand’s beaches were full of lantern festivals and parties. Meanwhile, children in Gaza hid from bombings without any semblance of normalcy.
Europe
European capitals reflected unity and happiness. Many of the destinations had open-air concerts and light shows. In total contrast, Palestinians were alone in their misery as the international community failed to intervene to make their condition any better.
North America
In North America, hope and progress defined the celebrations. In contrast, Gaza was in the grip of a humanitarian crisis wherein more than 12,000 patients needed urgent evacuation to hospitals.
As Africans queued up to dance in kente cloth and dashikis, the Middle East was hosting dazzling shows in Dubai, the wreck of Gaza reminded everyone that the conflict and displacement still cast a shadow on this region.
The West Bank Raids
This tragedy did not start in Gaza alone. On New Year’s Day, Israeli troops invaded the West Bank, specifically the cities of Jenin, Nablus, and Ramallah. It just added more tension to this long list while continuing to showcase how Gaza has suffered compared to the rest of the world which celebrated.
Stories of Resilience in Tough Times
Despite the severe difficulties, acts of resilience and solidarity continued to emerge in Gaza. The World Health Organization was able to evacuate 55 patients and 72 caregivers to the UAE for specialized treatment. This small but important act offered a glimmer of hope amidst despair, though the majority of Gaza’s residents remained trapped in dire conditions.
Conclusion
The New Year 2025 in Gaza reminds the world of the stark contrast between how it celebrates renewal across the globe, and how in Gaza, it was a night of unimaginable suffering under the aggression of the Israelis. There is an urgent need for the international community to focus on this humanitarian crisis and to restore the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.
Also, see: In Pictures: How the World is Celebrating New Year 2025?