Israeli military drones have killed at least four Palestinians, including children, in a strike on a tent sheltering displaced civilians in southern Gaza, marking a severe violation of the ongoing ceasefire. The attack occurred north of Khan Younis on Thursday, 8 January 2026, according to local civil defence officials.
Details of the Deadly Strikes
Gaza's Civil Defence Agency, which operates under Hamas authority, reported that Israeli attacks across the Palestinian territory on Thursday resulted in at least 13 fatalities. Agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal informed AFP that five of those killed were children.
The initial incident saw a drone strike a tent for displaced people in southern Gaza, claiming four lives, including three children. Subsequent violence spread across the strip. In the north, near the Jabalia refugee camp, an 11-year-old girl was killed. A separate strike on a school claimed another life, while a drone attack near Khan Younis killed a man. Two more Palestinians, including a child, died in other incidents.
Later on Thursday evening, the situation escalated further. Bassal confirmed that four more people were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in an eastern area of Gaza City. Rescue operations commenced to search for several individuals reported missing.
Ceasefire Under Strain and Rising Toll
The strikes represent a clear breach of the fragile, US-sponsored truce that has largely halted major fighting since 10 October. Bassal condemned the actions, stating, "The death toll has risen to 13 as a result of Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since this morning in a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement."
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem echoed this, telling AFP that Thursday's violence "confirm[s] the Israeli occupation's renunciation of its commitment to the ceasefire." According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli forces have killed at least 425 Palestinians in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect. 22 November was one of the deadliest days, with at least 21 people killed in Israeli strikes.
Military Claims and Ongoing Tensions
The Israeli military, when contacted by AFP about the initial reports, stated it was "checking" them. It later issued a statement concerning activity earlier on Thursday, claiming a projectile was launched "from the area of Gaza City toward the state of Israel" but fell inside Gaza. "Shortly after, the (military) precisely struck the launch point," the statement read.
The Israeli military also stated that militants have killed three of its soldiers during the same period since the ceasefire began. Both sides have repeatedly accused the other of violating the terms of the truce, leading to a precarious and volatile situation where civilian casualties continue to mount.
