Israeli strikes kill 12 in Gaza, including children, as war grinds into the new year

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes killed at least 12 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children, officials said Wednesday, as the nearly 15-month war ground on into the new year.

One strike hit a home in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, the most isolated and heavily destroyed part of the coastal territory, where Israel has waged a major operation since early October. Gaza’s Health Ministry said seven people were killed, including a woman and four children.

Israel's military said it “eliminated” Hamas fighters.

Another strike overnight in the built-up Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed a woman and a child, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the bodies.

“Are you celebrating? Enjoy as we die. For a year and a half, we have been dying,” said a man carrying the body of a child in the flashing lights of emergency vehicles.

Israel's military said militants fired rockets at Israel from the Bureij area overnight and that its forces responded with a strike targeting a militant.

A third strike, in the southern city of Khan Younis, killed three people, according to Nasser Hospital and the European Hospital, which received the bodies.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting around 250. About 100 hostages are still held in Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead.

Defense Minister Israel Katz warned in a statement Wednesday that Hamas will “suffer blows of a magnitude not seen in Gaza for a long time” if it doesn’t soon release the remaining hostages and stop firing at Israel.

Israel’s air and ground offensive has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It says women and children make up more than half the dead but does not say how many of those killed were militants.

The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames Hamas for civilian deaths because its fighters operate in dense residential areas. The army says it has killed 17,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The war has caused widespread destruction and displaced some 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, many of them multiple times.

Hundreds of thousands live in tents on the coast as winter brings rainstorms and temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. At least six infants and another person have died of hypothermia, according to the Health Ministry.

Many displaced Palestinians in central Gaza rely on charity kitchens as their sole food provider amid restrictions on aid and skyrocketing prices. AP footage showed a long line of children waiting for rice, the only item served at the kitchen in Deir al-Balah on Wednesday.

“Some of those kitchens close because they don’t receive aid, and others distribute little amounts of food and its not enough,” said Umm Adham Shaheen, displaced from Gaza City.

American and Arab mediators have spent nearly a year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release, but those efforts have repeatedly stalled. Hamas has demanded a lasting truce, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until “total victory."

Israel’s previous defense minister Yoav Gallant, fired nearly two months ago amid disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, resigned on Wednesday from parliament, citing a proposed law that would uphold controversial exemptions from the military draft for ultra-Orthodox men.

Gallant called the proposed law “contrary to the needs of the military and to the security of the state. I cannot be a part of that.” Military service is compulsory for most Jews. Exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men to pursue studies has generated widespread resentment among the broader public.

Gallant's surprise firing in November sparked protests across Israel. He and Netanyahu were at odds over the war, with Gallant pushing for a diplomatic deal that would bring back the hostages while Netanyahu wanted more military pressure on Hamas. Netanyahu replaced Gallant with Katz, a longtime loyalist.

In Wednesday’s address, Gallant said he would remain a member of Netanyahu's Likud party.

More than 82,000 Israelis moved abroad in 2024 and 33,000 people immigrated to the country, Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics said. Another 23,000 Israelis returned after long periods abroad.

It was the second straight year of net departures, a rare occurrence in the history of the country that actively encourages Jewish immigration. Many Israelis, looking for a break from the war, have moved abroad, leading to concern about whether it will drive a “brain drain” in sectors like medicine and technology.

Last year, 15,000 fewer people immigrated to Israel than in 2023.

In an event for the final day of Hanukkah, hostages released from Gaza and others called again for a peace deal to bring remaining hostages home. “Until they return, we will not really be able to move on,” said a relative, Yuval Haran.

The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday suspended the work of Al Jazeera in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, accusing it of broadcasting incitement and misleading reports.

Israel had already ordered Al Jazeera to close in the West Bank, but the order had not been strictly enforced. Al Jazeera and other outlets have been covering the Palestinian Authority's crackdown in Jenin, where PA forces have clashed with local Palestinian militants in recent weeks, sparking one of the worst armed confrontations between Palestinians in years.

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Tia Goldenberg and Natalie Melzer in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

A man walks through a tunnel symbolising the Hamas tunnels, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Two people sit at sunset overlooking a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the outskirts in the central Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish yeshiva students light candles to mark the holiday of Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish yeshiva students dance after lighting candles to mark the holiday of Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

Palestinian children play next to a building destroyed by Israeli army strikes in the central Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A man reacts in grief as the body of 8-year-old Adam Farajallah is brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following an airstrike on a house in the Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

An israeli army vehicle is seen near the Israeli-Gaza border, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.(AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

An israeli army vehicle near the Israeli-Gaza border, drives beside a banner reading " Bring them home now" call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The uncle of 8-year-old Adam Farajallah grieves over his body after it was brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following an airstrike on a house in the Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

The body of 8-year-old Adam Farajallah is brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following an airstrike on a house in the Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A man reacts in grief as the body of 8-year-old Adam Farajallah is brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following an airstrike on a house in the Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

The body of a victim of an Israeli army strike on a house in the Bureij refugee camp is carried for the funeral at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A man warms himself by a small fire inside a makeshift tent following overnight rainfall at the refugee tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinian children carry buckets of water after overnight rainfall at the refugee tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Manal Lubbad, a 49-year-old mother of eight and a displaced woman from Gaza City, tries to clean her flooded tent after heavy overnight rainfall at the refugee tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Nabil Lubbad tries to clean his family's flooded tent after heavy overnight rainfall at the refugee tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A young girl walks barefoot, carrying empty jerrycans to collect water, after overnight rainfall at the refugee tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip,, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

People walk along the beach next to a tent refugee camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Monday, Dec .30, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Israeli soldiers board an armored vehicle to enter the Gaza Strip at the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

An Israeli soldier adjusts his night vision goggles as his unit prepares to enter the Gaza Strip at the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

An Israeli soldier walks through a staging area as his unit prepares to enter the Gaza Strip at the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Israeli soldiers prepare to be deployed to the Gaza Strip near the Israeli-Gaza border in southern Israel, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Israeli soldiers light a candle on the seventh night of Hanukkah before being deployed to the Gaza Strip near the Israeli-Gaza border in southern Israel, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Brothers Belal, 5, and Mohammed Hamad, 7, collect water from their flooded family tent after overnight rainfall at the refugee tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A boy walks barefoot through the mud after overnight rainfall at the refugee tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Manal Lubbad, a 49-year-old mother of eight and a displaced woman from Gaza City, tries to clean her flooded tent after heavy overnight rainfall at the refugee tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Brandon Saad had his third career hat trick, Jordan Binnington made 20 saves for his 18th career shutout, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Ottawa Senators 4-0 on Friday night.

Brayden Schenn also scored for St. Louis, which has won four of its last five games.

Anton Forsberg made 21 saves as Ottawa for the fourth time in five games since winning six straight.

Saad put St. Louis ahead 2-0 with his first goal of the game with 4:10 remaining in the first. It was Saad’s first goal in 20 games since last scoring twice at Buffalo on Nov. 14.

He got his second with 5:45 remaining in the second period, and finished the hat trick with his third goal of the game and seventh of the season with 1:53 remaining in the third period.

Schenn scored his seventh goal of the season 7:26 into the game after Dylan Holloway sprung him loose on a breakaway to put St. Louis ahead 1-0.

Senators: Ottawa showed signs of fatigue after playing at Dallas Thursday night.

Blues: St. Louis played an almost perfect game capitalizing on scoring opportunities early and often.

Thomas Chabot appeared to score for Ottawa with 34 seconds remaining in the second period, but St. Louis challenged the play, and the officials ruled that Nick Cousins had entered the zone off-side. Cousins earlier had a chance to tap the puck into a wide-open net with 4:46 remaining in the first period, but he just lost control of the puck in the crease enough for it to sail wide of the goal.

Saad’s multi-goal game was his third of the season, accounting for all of his scoring.

Senators play at Detroit on Tuesday to conclude a nine-game trip, and Blues visit Columbus on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Ottawa Senators' Nick Cousins (21) is unable to score past St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Ottawa Senators' Shane Pinto (12) and St. Louis Blues' Tyler Tucker (75) chase after a loose puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Ottawa Senators' Thomas Chabot (72) is unable to score past St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) as Scott Perunovich (48) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg (31) pauses after giving up a goal to St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) scores past Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg (31) and Thomas Chabot (72) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) scores past Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg (31) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)