Video: Children in Gaza light candles on New Year’s Eve

Palestinian journalist Nahed Hajjaj, who shared the video, emphasised that the children were not celebrating, but rather holding on to life despite the challenging circumstances.

“While the world marks the New Year with lights, Gaza marks it with hope: a candle that says life still beats, and children deserve a year without fear, pain, or loss,” Hajjaj wrote in his post

Children in Gaza lit candles amid the rubble and destruction to celebrate the New Year pic.twitter.com/LIrxJMRCfC

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) January 1, 2026