Israel carries out strikes across Gaza despite October ceasefire deal

2026-01-28 - 09:30

The Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes and artillery bombardments across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, marking another day of reported violations of the ceasefire that halted a major two-year conflict. Strikes and ground operations were reported in northern, central, and southern areas of the besieged Palestinian territory. Reports of Widespread Strikes from North to South According to local sources and eyewitness accounts, Israeli military activity was widespread. In the northern Gaza town of Jabalia, powerful explosions were heard as Israeli forces reportedly conducted demolition operations within areas they still occupy. Further south, Israeli artillery shelled eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City, with military vehicles in the area opening machine-gun fire. In central Gaza, fighter jets targeted three empty homes east of Deir al-Balah, while in the south, airstrikes hit areas east of Khan Younis, accompanied by artillery shelling and helicopter fire. No immediate casualties were reported from Wednesday's specific incidents. The Toll of Ceasefire Violations The current, fragile truce officially took effect on October 10, 2025, ending a prolonged and devastating war. However, Palestinian health authorities report that periodic Israeli military actions since the ceasefire began have resulted in significant casualties. They state that these repeated violations have killed 486 Palestinians and wounded 1,341 others in the months following the formal halt to major hostilities. These ongoing incidents underscore the precarious nature of the truce and the continued risk to civilians in Gaza. Context of the Preceding War and Destruction The ceasefire brought to an end a large-scale Israeli military offensive that began on October 8, 2023. According to figures cited by Palestinian sources, that two-year war resulted in over 71,000 Palestinian deaths and 171,000 injuries. The United Nations has estimated that approximately 90% of Gaza's civilian infrastructure was damaged or destroyed, with reconstruction costs projected to be around $70 billion. The recent strikes, occurring in this context of near-total devastation, highlight the challenges of maintaining stability and the severe humanitarian situation that persists despite the formal cessation of full-scale war.