Deadly Escalation in Gaza: Israeli Strikes Claim 17 Lives

Thu Feb 05 2026 04:26:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israeli air strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, including six children, following an incident in which a soldier was seriously injured due to gunfire from the Gaza Strip.

In a significant escalation of violence, Israeli air strikes killed at least 17 Palestinians in Gaza, following an incident where a soldier was wounded by gunfire. The military described the strikes as a response to a violation of a ceasefire agreement. The casualties included numerous children, and both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations since its inception in October. Israeli forces are conducting operations near the borders, and the ongoing conflict has resulted in a high number of deaths on both sides since the war began.

At least 17 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes in the north and south of Gaza, hospitals say.

Israel's military stated that the operations occurred after terrorists opened fire in the northern region of the Strip, seriously wounding a soldier during an operation near the Yellow Line, which designates territory controlled by Israel under the three-month-old ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

The military reported that armored units and aircraft conducted precise strikes in retaliation for what it deemed a blatant violation of the truce.

Hospital officials indicated that among those killed were six children from Gaza City and Khan Younis.

Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City reported receiving the bodies of 13 individuals, including five children, caused by strikes on homes and tents in the eastern Zeitoun and Tuffah neighborhoods. Nasser hospital in Khan Younis received four dead, including one child, after strikes targeted southern Qizan Rashwan.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, both Israel and Hamas have continually accused each other of violations.

According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, over 529 people have died due to Israeli fire, while the Israeli military reports that four of its soldiers have been killed in Palestinian attacks.

The current conflict escalated after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages taken, prompting Israel to initiate a military campaign in Gaza that has led to over 71,800 casualties, based on figures from Gaza's health ministry.