Civilians grew weary of the grinding war in Gaza, where dwindling stocks of food, shelter and medicine made a humanitarian crisis even bleaker.
“The year 2024 was the most difficult year,” Wafaa Hajjaj told AFP from Deir el-Balah, where masses of displaced residents now cram into crowded tents.
“I lost many loved ones, including my father and close friends, starting from the beginning of the year,” she said.
“May security and safety return, and may the war finally come to an end.”
There was hope and trepidation as the new year approached in Syria, which is still reeling after Islamist rebels toppled longtime ruler Assad.
“We were hesitant to go out this year because of the security situation, but we decided to overcome our fears and not change our habits,” lawyer Maram Ayoub, 34, told AFP from the capital Damascus.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine inches towards its grim three-year anniversary in February.
Outgunned on its eastern flank, Ukraine must now contend with a Trump administration seemingly intent on winding back crucial military aid.
On the streets of Kyiv, teacher Kateryna Chemeryz wanted “peace to finally be obtained for Ukraine” and for “people to stop dying”.
Comebacks, football, festivals
With AI advances on the horizon and rampant inflation tipped to slow, there is still plenty to look forward to in 2025.
Britpop bad boys Oasis will make a long-awaited reunion, while K-pop megastars BTS return to the stage after military service in South Korea.
Football aficionados will be treated to a revamped 32-team Club World Cup hosted in the United States.
