Escalation in Gaza: Israeli Strikes Result in 17 Palestinian Deaths

Thu Feb 05 2026 02:21:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israeli military operations in Gaza lead to at least 17 fatalities, including children, following gunfire that wounded a soldier, as tensions rise during a fragile ceasefire.

Recent Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of 17 Palestinians, including six children, following an incident where a soldier was seriously injured by gunfire in northern Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire violations since the truce began three months ago. Hospital reports indicate that many victims were civilians, reviving concerns over the ongoing conflict's escalating violence.

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 strikes were a response to gunfire from 'terrorists' during an operation near the Yellow Line, which demarcates Israeli-controlled territory under the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

The military characterized the airstrikes as necessary countermeasures after what it described as a 'blatant violation' of the truce.

Among those reported killed, six were children, as confirmed by hospital officials in Gaza City and Khan Younis.

Al-Shifa hospital reported receiving the bodies of 13 individuals, including five children, as a result of strikes that hit residential areas in the Zeitoun and Tuffah neighborhoods. Four more individuals, including one child, were taken to Nasser hospital after airstrikes targeted tents in southern Gaza.

Both the Israeli and Hamas factions have accused one another of violating the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports a total of at least 529 Palestinian deaths from Israeli fire since the ceasefire began, while Israel claims four of its soldiers have been killed in Palestinian attacks.

Sources indicate that the ongoing conflict escalated following a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages. Since then, it has been reported that over 71,800 people have died in Gaza due to the conflict.