Escalating Violence: Israeli Strikes Claim 17 Lives in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

Thu Feb 05 2026 00:58:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have led to the death of at least 17 Palestinians, including six children, following a gunfire incident that wounded an Israeli soldier.

In a severe escalation of violence, Israeli military airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians including six children, in the Gaza Strip. The strikes were reportedly a response to gunfire from 'terrorists' that wounded an Israeli soldier. The ongoing hostilities are a blatant violation of the three-month ceasefire agreement with Hamas, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis as both sides accuse each other of ceasefire violations since its inception.

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

Israel's military stated that these actions occurred after terrorists opened fire in northern Gaza, seriously wounding a soldier during an operation near the Yellow Line, which marks territory controlled by Israel under an existing ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

The military reports that armoured units and aircraft conducted precise strikes in response to what they deemed a blatant violation of the truce.

Among the fatalities, hospital officials confirmed that six children were included in the casualties from Gaza City and Khan Younis.

Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City reported receiving the bodies of 13 people, including five children, who were killed when airstrikes hit tents and homes in the Zeitoun and Tuffah neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Nasser hospital in Khan Younis reported four deaths, including one child, following strikes on tents in the southern Qizan Rashwan area.

Since the ceasefire commenced on October 10, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ongoing violations. Gaza's health ministry claims that over 529 Palestinians have died due to Israeli fire, while the Israeli military has attributed four soldier fatalities to Palestinian attacks.

The current conflict was ignited by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the kidnapping of 251 individuals. In retaliation, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza that has reportedly led to over 71,800 Palestinian deaths, as communicated by the territory's health ministry.