Escalation in Gaza: 32 Palestinians Killed in Recent Israeli Air Strikes

Sun Feb 01 2026 16:29:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Israeli air strikes in Gaza have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 32 Palestinians, including women and children, leading to widespread condemnation and highlighting the ongoing conflict despite recent ceasefire efforts.

A series of Israeli air strikes in Gaza have killed 32 Palestinians, according to local reports. The strikes, described by witnesses as among the heaviest since a ceasefire began, have provoked strong reactions from Hamas and international observers, highlighting the fragile situation in the region. The Israeli military claims the strikes were a response to a Hamas violation of the ceasefire agreement, while both sides continue to accuse each other of aggression. The violence has drawn condemnation from various international bodies and reignited tensions that were thought to be easing.

At least 32 people have been killed in a wave of Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to local authorities.

The civil defence agency, operated by Hamas, stated that children and women were among the fatalities. Reports suggest that one attack targeted a tent sheltering displaced people in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Many Palestinians have described these strikes as the most severe since the second phase of a ceasefire brokered by US President Trump began earlier this month.

The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, attributing them to what it described as a violation of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas on Friday.

Both parties have accused each other of transgressions since the ceasefire was put in place last year. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that they had identified terrorists associated with Hamas in eastern Rafah and conducted strikes that targeted militants and military infrastructure.

Hamas condemned the strikes, calling for immediate intervention from the US and asserting that these actions confirm the Israeli government's ongoing aggression against Gaza.

Among the victims were members of the same family and multiple children, with reports confirming that a recent hit in Gaza City resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including children and women.

The strikes occurred as the Rafah crossing, Gaza's border with Egypt, is set to reopen, heightening the urgency for peace talks.

Egypt and Qatar have both condemned the strikes, urging restraint from all involved parties. The ongoing violence underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.