Deadly Strikes Rock Gaza
Israeli airstrikes on Saturday, January 31, 2026, killed at least 30 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, according to hospital officials. This marked one of the highest death tolls since a ceasefire agreement was established in October. The Gaza civil defense agency later updated the death toll to 32, stating that most of the victims were children and women.
The strikes targeted multiple locations, including an apartment building in Gaza City, a tent camp in Khan Younis, and a police station.
- In Gaza City, an apartment building strike reportedly killed three children, their aunt, and grandmother.
- A tent camp in Khan Younis was hit, causing a fire that killed seven people, including a father, his three children, and three grandchildren.
- An airstrike on a police station in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City killed at least 14 people, including officers and inmates, according to Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiya. Other reports indicated 10 officers and detainees, or up to 16 fatalities at the police station, including four policewomen.
Accusations of Truce Violations
The Israeli military stated that the strikes were a response to what it described as new ceasefire violations by Hamas a day earlier. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that its forces killed four (or three) terrorists emerging from a tunnel in an Israeli-controlled area of Rafah. The IDF further stated it targeted four commanders and additional terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, along with weapons depots and manufacturing sites.
Conversely, Hamas condemned the Israeli actions as a 'renewed flagrant violation' of the ceasefire and urged international mediators to intervene. Hamas denied any connection to the incident cited by Israel as a violation.
Ceasefire Under Strain
The recent escalation comes as a fragile ceasefire, brokered in October, continues to face challenges. The strikes represent one of the deadliest days in Gaza since the truce began. The Rafah crossing, a crucial gateway for movement between Gaza and Egypt, was scheduled to reopen the day after the strikes as part of the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.
International reactions included condemnations from Egypt and Qatar, both mediators in the ceasefire. They warned that the Israeli strikes threatened the political course of the truce and risked dangerous escalation.
6 Comments
Noir Black
Israel has every right to defend its citizens. Hamas brought this upon themselves by breaking the truce.
Loubianka
Hamas uses civilians as shields. The blame for civilian casualties lies squarely with them.
Katchuka
A tent camp? A police station? This isn't self-defense; it's collective punishment and pure aggression.
KittyKat
The Israeli military's actions are a blatant violation of the ceasefire and international law. Shameful.
Eugene Alta
It's tragic to see so many lives lost, especially children, but both sides claiming truce violations make lasting peace incredibly difficult. There needs to be independent verification and accountability.
Raphael
This escalation is heartbreaking, demonstrating how precarious the ceasefire truly is. International mediators must exert stronger pressure to prevent further loss of life and ensure compliance from all sides.