Fireworks, war and quakes as world tumbles into 2024

Tuesday 02 January 2024 - 09:46

As the world welcomed the dawn of 2024, jubilant celebrations were marred by outbreaks of violence in multiple global hotspots. While fireworks illuminated the skies, military strikes in the Middle East and Eastern Europe cast shadows on the initial hopes for a peaceful start to the new year.

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian militants fired rockets towards Israel as the clock struck midnight. Despite the interception of some rockets by Israel's Iron Dome system, others exploded harmlessly. Responding swiftly, Israeli jets pounded targets across the densely populated coastal enclave, resulting in at least two dozen casualties according to initial reports.

This exchange not only threatens to escalate tensions between the historic adversaries but also signifies that the 11-day war last fall, which claimed the lives of over 1,100 people in Israel and nearly 22,000 in Gaza, did little to deter further violence.

Turning our attention eastward, Ukrainian authorities reported shooting down a record number of Russian drones on New Year's Eve, following intense bombardment over the preceding week. The conflict between Moscow and Kyiv persists, with no apparent resolution in sight as the war approaches its second anniversary.

In the Pacific, Japan experienced an abrupt commencement to 2024 when a significant 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck just after midnight. This natural disaster damaged buildings, ignited fires, and prompted tsunami warnings. Early reports suggest that some coastal areas were inundated with waves exceeding one meter in height.

The tumultuous start to 2024 underscores the persistence of armed conflicts that show no signs of abating in the near future. Nevertheless, amidst the chaos, iconic cities such as Sydney, Paris, and New York welcomed the new year with elaborate celebrations, attended by millions who clung to the hope of better times ahead.

The question looms: What does 2024 hold for a world seemingly evenly divided between war and revelry? As leaders and citizens across various global divides ponder this, the upcoming year promises to present consequential choices with far-reaching implications.