Displaced Gazans in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, have shared their New Year’s wishes for peace and the rebuilding of their homes in 2025.
As Gaza continues to be ravaged by war, residents say their greatest hope for the new year is to see an end to the conflict and to return to their homes -- a simple dream that remains an immense challenge to achieve.
"Our wish is for this war to end with the arrival of the new year and for the aggression against Gaza to cease. I once had big dreams and ambitions, especially to pursue a postgraduate degree and conduct scientific research. This war has destroyed everything. I hope we can see the light of hope for the future, to once again pursue all the good things in life, like education and research, and to break free from the devastation brought by the war," said a resident named Mohammed Masri.
"Today is my birthday. I am now 11 years old. I had hoped to have a big birthday party at home. My wish for the new year is to return to my home, have a birthday party, invite all my friends and family, go to the park, and do everything I dream of," said Sarah Hassan, a displaced girl.
"My wish for the new year is to rebuild Gaza so that people can return to their homes. The current situation is unlivable, as nearly all the houses have been destroyed, whether in Rafah, Gaza City, or the eastern Gaza Strip, it's the same everywhere,” Shadi Abu Tayir said.
"I hope to return to Gaza City, to my home, and see my family and loved ones, to end this year-long suffering. We have endured war, hunger, skyrocketing prices, and flour shortages. Not just me, but all the residents of Gaza City and our loved ones, I hope we can all safely return to Gaza City. I hope we can have food, safety, and everything necessary for survival," said Reem Hannouneh.
"My wish is to live a peaceful life. I hope the war stops so we can return to our homes. Honestly, we are truly exhausted. Even living in tents would be fine, as long as we can go back to our homes. I hope the war ends and all the suffering comes to an end," Nabil Maqdad said.
"My greatest wish is to have a home where I can live peacefully with my children. We are truly exhausted. We just want to settle down in our own home, reunite with our children, and return to the old days when we were together. I hope the war stops and my children's wishes can come true. The children are like orphans now, with no future ahead of them," Gaza resident Nuha Nasser said.
"My wish for the new year is that this terrible war ends, that the gunfire, killings, deaths and destruction stop. We hope to return to our homes, celebrate weddings with our children, feel joy, and fulfill the dreams we had before the war. This war has blocked all paths. We fled from the north to the south, escaping the shadow of killing and death. In the new year, we hope for an end to the war. As a 60-year-old, I've faced problems, wars, and destruction throughout my life. Every two years, there's another war. When will this end? We hope the war ends and that, like people in other countries, we can live a peaceful and secure life and build a future for our children," said a senior named Bashir Masri.
The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,541, with 108,338 more injured, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday.
Gaza residents pin New Year’s hopes on peace, returning home amid ongoing war destruction
China has pledged deeper ties with its neighbors to foster common development and stability, following a central conference on work related to neighboring countries, which saw Chinese ambassadors from around the region gather in Beijing this week.
The diplomats and experts attending the conference said the country is working to promote regional collaboration amid growing global uncertainties, strengthening its ties with its neighbors in a way that takes account of both the regional and the global context.
"The trade volume between China and Malaysia reached 212 billion U.S. dollars [in 2024], marking an 11.4 percent year-on-year increase. A large number of infrastructure projects including highways, bridges, ports, terminals and hydropower stations are being implemented across Malaysia. China-Malaysia cooperation epitomizes the broader collaboration between China and ASEAN. We are confident that under the strategic guidance of both countries' leaders, bilateral relations will reach new heights," said Ouyang Yujing, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia.
"ASEAN and China are geographically close and culturally connected, making ASEAN our important partner for development cooperation. Our combined population exceeds 2 billion, representing a massive market with sustained rapid economic growth in recent years and promising prospects," said Hou Yanqi, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN.
Other Chinese diplomats said China was being guided by the principles of amity, security, prosperity and win-win cooperation, to promote a shared future with neighboring countries, using its own development to spur regional growth.
This vision has led to concrete achievements, with a consensus on a shared future agreed with 17 neighboring states, Belt and Road cooperation agreements in effect with 25, and 18 regional nations now counting China as their largest trade partner. These deepening political and economic ties have cleared a path toward warm neighborly relations and mutual prosperity, according to other ambassadors.
"China has established comprehensive strategic partnerships with all Central Asian countries and signed Belt and Road cooperation documents. We are jointly committed to building a community with a shared future," said Han Chunlin, China's Ambassador to Kazakhstan.
"The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has attracted over 25 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment and created 230,000 jobs. It has not only elevated China-Pakistan cooperation but also contributed to Pakistan's economic and social development," said Jiang Zaidong, the Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan.
As the global challenges brought by unilateralism and economic protectionism grow, China remains steadfast in advancing its vision of a shared future, strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries to anchor stability and renew hope, according to China's permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong.
"We must steadfastly uphold fairness and justice, adhere to true multilateralism, safeguard the interests of developing countries, maintain the authority of international law, and firmly oppose 'might makes right'," he said.
"Our world has become highly interdependent. Attempts at 'decoupling' or forced division are not only impossible but also go against historical trends. We must promote shared development through global cooperation. This represents the true exemplar of major-country responsibility," said Wang Fan, president of China Foreign Affairs University.
China pledges deeper cooperation with neighbors to foster stability
