Israeli airstrikes killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza on January 8, 2026, according to local medics, escalating tensions following a failed rocket launch by militants. The strikes targeted multiple locations, including residential areas and a school sheltering displaced families, with casualties reported in Khan Younis, Jabalia, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City.
The Israeli military stated the operations were retaliation for a rocket fired from Gaza City that fell short and struck a hospital within the enclave. It accused Hamas of violating the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, which halted major fighting but left key issues unresolved. Hamas officials said they were investigating the incident.
Over 400 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have died since the ceasefire began, with nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million residents now living in damaged infrastructure or makeshift shelters. Israel has conditioned further progress on the return of a hostage’s remains and the opening of the Rafah crossing, as outlined in the U.S.-backed plan proposed by President Donald Trump.
Analysts warn the stalled negotiations risk reigniting large-scale conflict, with humanitarian conditions deteriorating rapidly. International observers urge renewed diplomacy to address Gaza’s reconstruction and lasting security frameworks.
