A Palestinian man carries the body of Sham Abu Hadaiyd, who was killed in an Israeli strike on a tent in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
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Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Hospitals in Gaza said Israeli strikes killed at least 23 Palestinians Saturday, one of the highest tolls since the October ceasefire aimed at stopping the fighting.
A day after Israel accused Hamas of new ceasefire violations, strikes hit locations throughout Gaza, including lethal ones on an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent camp in Khan Younis, officials at hospitals that received the bodies said. The casualties included two women and six children from two different families. An airstrike also hit a police station in Gaza City, killing at least 11 and wounding others, Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiya said.
The series of strikes also came a day before the Rafah crossing along the border with Egypt is set to open in Gaza’s southernmost city. All of the territory’s border crossings have been closed throughout almost the entire war. Palestinians see Rafah as a lifeline for the tens of thousands in need of treatment outside the territory, where the majority of medical infrastructure has been destroyed.
The crossing’s opening, limited at first, marks the first major step in the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Reopening borders is among the challenging issues on the agenda for the phase now underway, which also include demilitarizing the strip after nearly two decades of Hamas rule and installing a new government to oversee reconstruction.
Still, Saturday’s strikes are a reminder that the death toll in Gaza is still rising even as the ceasefire agreement inches forward.
Nasser Hospital said the strike on the tent camp caused a fire to break out, killing seven, including a father, his three children and three grandchildren. Meanwhile, Shifa Hospital said the Gaza City apartment building strike killed three children, their aunt and grandmother on Saturday morning, while the strike on the police station killed at least 11 — officers, including four policewomen, and inmates held at the station. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said Palestinian civilians were also killed in the strike.
Palestinians survey the damage to an apartment building after an Israeli military strike killed several people in Gaza City Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
Jehad Alshrafi/AP
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Jehad Alshrafi/AP
Hamas called Saturday’s strikes “a renewed flagrant violation” and urged the United States and other mediating countries to push Israel to stop strikes.
A military official, speaking Saturday on the condition of anonymity in line with protocol, could not comment on the specific targets, but said Israel carried out overnight and Saturday strikes in response to what the army said were ceasefire violations the day before.
Israel’s military, which has hit targets on both sides of the ceasefire’s yellow line, has said strikes since October have been in response to violations of the agreement. In a statement Friday, the military said they killed three militants exiting a tunnel in an Israeli-controlled zone in Rafah.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has recorded 509 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the start of the ceasefire on Oct. 10. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.
What prompted the recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations?
Table of Contents
- 1. What prompted the recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations?
- 2. Israeli Strikes in Gaza Amidst Ceasefire Negotiations: Latest Updates
- 3. Details of the Recent Strikes
- 4. The Ceasefire Negotiations: A Complex Landscape
- 5. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Growing Concern
- 6. Past Context: Cycles of Conflict
- 7. The Role of International Actors
- 8. Looking Ahead: Challenges and Potential Pathways
Israeli Strikes in Gaza Amidst Ceasefire Negotiations: Latest Updates
Recent reports indicate a concerning escalation in the Gaza Strip, with Israeli airstrikes resulting in the deaths of 23 Palestinians as delicate ceasefire negotiations progress. These strikes, occurring despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, highlight the fragility of the situation and the continued risk to civilian lives. The events raise critical questions about the path forward for peace and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
Details of the Recent Strikes
The strikes, reported by multiple news agencies including NPR, targeted various locations across Gaza, including residential buildings and areas believed to be associated with hamas infrastructure.
* Rafah: A important number of casualties were reported in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where a large proportion of the displaced Palestinian population has sought refuge.Concerns are mounting over the safety of civilians in this densely populated area.
* Khan younis: Intense fighting continues in Khan younis, with reports of ongoing airstrikes and ground operations. The area has seen widespread destruction and displacement.
* Gaza City: Sporadic strikes were also reported in Gaza City, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
Israeli officials have stated that the strikes were in response to continued rocket fire from Gaza and aimed at targeting Hamas militants. Though,Palestinian authorities and international observers have raised concerns about the proportionality of the response and the impact on civilians.
The Ceasefire Negotiations: A Complex Landscape
negotiations for a ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, egypt, and the United States, are ongoing but face significant hurdles. Key sticking points include:
- Hamas’s Demands: Hamas is reportedly seeking guarantees of a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
- Israel’s Position: Israel insists on the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities and securing the release of all hostages taken during the october 7th attacks.
- International Pressure: International pressure is mounting on both sides to reach an agreement and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United Nations and various aid organizations have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and increased access for humanitarian assistance.
The current situation underscores the difficulty of achieving a lasting peace. Previous ceasefire attempts have repeatedly broken down, and the deep-seated mistrust between both sides remains a major obstacle.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Growing Concern
The ongoing conflict has created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
* Displacement: Over 85% of Gaza’s population has been displaced from their homes, seeking shelter in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.
* food Security: Access to food, water, and medical supplies is severely limited, leading to widespread malnutrition and disease. The UN warns of imminent famine.
* Healthcare System Collapse: Gaza’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse,with hospitals overwhelmed and lacking essential resources.
* Infrastructure Damage: Extensive damage to infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals, has further exacerbated the crisis.
International aid organizations are struggling to deliver assistance due to the ongoing fighting and restrictions on access. The situation demands an immediate and sustained increase in humanitarian aid to prevent further suffering.
Past Context: Cycles of Conflict
The current conflict is part of a long history of violence and instability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Understanding this history is crucial for comprehending the complexities of the current situation.
* the 1948 Arab-israeli War: The establishment of Israel in 1948 led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, creating a lasting refugee crisis.
* The Six-Day War (1967): Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, further fueling the conflict.
* The Oslo Accords (1993): the Oslo Accords offered a glimmer of hope for peace, but ultimately failed to achieve a lasting resolution.
* Recurring Conflicts: Since then,there have been numerous rounds of violence,including the Second Intifada (2000-2005) and previous conflicts in Gaza (2008-2009,2012,2014,2021).
The Role of International Actors
Several international actors are involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, each with their own interests and agendas.
* United States: The United States is a key ally of Israel and has historically played a significant role in mediating peace negotiations.
* European Union: The European Union supports a two-state solution and provides humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
* United Nations: The United Nations has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
* Arab States: Arab states, particularly qatar, Egypt, and Jordan, have played a crucial role in mediating ceasefire agreements.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Potential Pathways
The path forward for peace remains uncertain. Several challenges must be addressed:
* Building Trust: Rebuilding trust between Israelis and Palestinians is essential for any lasting peace agreement.
* Addressing Root Causes: Addressing the root causes of the conflict, including the occupation, the refugee crisis, and the lack of economic possibility, is crucial.
* International Cooperation: Increased international cooperation is needed to support peace negotiations and provide humanitarian assistance.
* Two-State Solution: A two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, remains the most widely supported framework for resolving the conflict.
The recent escalation in Gaza underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to
