On Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, Israeli forces carried out a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that killed at least 11 people, medics reported. The Israeli military said the strikes were in response to a rocket launched by militants that fell short and landed near a Gaza hospital in Gaza City.
In Khan Younis, a strike on a tent in the western area killed at least four people—including children—and wounded three others. Another attack east of the city, near where Israeli troops operate, claimed another life.
Further north, medics said a school sheltering displaced families in Jabalia was hit, killing a man, while a separate strike killed someone in a tent near Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. In Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood, four more people lost their lives.
The military described the targets as Hamas militants, rocket launch pits and "terror infrastructure." A Hamas source said it was reviewing the claim that the rocket misfired.
The violence underscores the fragility of the ceasefire agreed in October 2025, which halted major fighting but stalled on future steps. Under proposed phases of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan, Hamas would disarm, Israel would pull back further, and an internationally backed administration would rebuild Gaza—but little progress has been made.
Since the truce took effect, more than 400 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been reported killed. Nearly all of Gaza's 2 million residents remain in makeshift homes or damaged buildings after Israeli troops withdrew and Hamas reasserted control.
Key issues remain unresolved: Israel is awaiting the handover of the final hostage remains before moving to the next phase, and it has yet to open the Rafah crossing to Egypt, another key condition.
These fresh strikes highlight how quickly tensions can flare, even under a truce that many hoped would bring lasting calm. 🤝🌍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
