Gaza's civil defence agency said an Israeli air attack killed at least 15 people in the territory's north on Wednesday, 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 AFP.
"Fifteen people were martyred and more than 20 were injured" in the attack on a house where displaced people were living, he said.
The Israeli military said it was looking into the reported attack.
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.
The military says it is an effort to prevent Hamas figthers from regrouping there and it has killed hundreds of fighters, while rescuers in the area say thousands of civilians have died.
On Monday, UN human rights experts said the "siege" appears to be part of an effort "to permanently displace the local population as a precursor to Gaza's annexation".
Bassal said those living in the house were members of the Badra, Abu Warda and Taroush families who had sought refuge there.
Israel warned Wednesday that it will intensify its attacks in Gaza if Hamas keeps up its rocket fire, as Palestinian rescuers reported dozens of deaths from Israeli strikes on the first day of the New Year.
Over the past week, Palestinian fighters have repeatedly fired rockets at Israel, particularly from northern Gaza, where the Israeli military is conducting a major offensive.
The rockets have caused little damage and have been fired in far smaller numbers than in the early stages of the war, but they have been a political blow for the Israeli government after nearly 15 months of fighting.
"I want to send a clear message from here to the heads of the terrorists in Gaza: If Hamas does not soon allow the release of the Israeli hostages from Gaza... and continues firing at Israeli communities, it will face blows of an intensity not seen in Gaza for a long time," Defence Minister Israel Katz said.
His warning came after a visit to the Israeli town of Netivot, which was recently targeted by rocket fire from nearby Gaza.
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