Israeli strikes in Gaza on January 21, 2026, killed 11, including children and journalists, in deadliest day since October ceasefire, sparking violation accusations.
Ceasefire in the Name Only:
Deadly Gaza Strikes Kill Children and Journalists:
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip-In one of the bloodiest days since a U.S.-mediated ceasefire halted major fighting in October, Israeli forces killed at least 11 Palestinians on Wednesday, including two 13-year-old boys-one shot while gathering firewood-and three journalists documenting humanitarian work. The strikes, spread across central and southern Gaza, have intensified scrutiny on the truce’s stability, with accusations of violations mounting as the death toll since the agreement surpasses 460. As global calls for accountability grow, the incident underscores the persistent dangers for civilians and media in the war-torn territory, where reconstruction efforts remain stalled amid ongoing restrictions.
Media Carnage in Central Gaza: Israeli Strike Kills Three Journalists at Aid Site:
Three Palestinian journalists-Abdul Raouf Shaat, Mohamed Qeshta, and Anas Ghneim-were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their vehicle in the Zahra area of central Gaza, near the Netzarim Corridor.
They were documenting a newly established displacement camp run by the Egyptian Relief Committee, with the vehicle clearly marked and known to Israeli forces. Video footage showed the charred wreckage smoking by the roadside, a stark symbol of the risks faced by media workers.
A fourth person in the vehicle was also killed, according to some reports. Shaat, a regular contributor to Agence France-Presse, was remembered by colleagues as a “kind-hearted” professional. The strike occurred about 5 kilometers from Israeli-controlled territory, in an area where journalists were coordinating with aid groups.
Tragic Losses: Boys Killed Amid Daily Struggles:
In separate incidents, two 13-year-old boys lost their lives, highlighting the human cost for Gaza’s youngest residents. Moatsem al-Sharafy was shot by Israeli troops in the eastern town of Bani Suheila while collecting firewood to help his mother cook, amid severe shortages caused by aid restrictions. His mother, Safaa al-Sharafy, recounted: “He went out in the morning, hungry. He told me he’d go quickly and come back.” Footage captured his father weeping over his body at Nasser Hospital.
The second boy was killed alongside his father and a 22-year-old man in a drone strike on the eastern edge of Bureij refugee camp. Their bodies arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. In another central Gaza attack, tank shelling killed three family members, including a 10-year-old boy.
A 32-year-old woman was shot in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis, an area not under direct Israeli control. Additional killings were reported in northern Gaza, bringing the day’s toll to 11. Funerals unfolded at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where mourners carried body bags amid grief and calls for justice.
Ceasefire Under Strain: Rising Civilian and Journalist Deaths Deepen Gaza Crisis:
The strikes come amid a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025, ending two years of intense conflict triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages. Israel’s response devastated Gaza, killing over 71,000 Palestinians, per local health authorities.
The truce’s first phase involved hostage releases and partial Israeli withdrawals, but phase two-aiming for Hamas disarmament, further pullbacks, and reconstruction-has stalled. Israel controls key areas like the “Yellow Line,” dividing Gaza, and has been accused of over 1,300 violations, including shootings near borders. Aid restrictions exacerbate hardships, forcing civilians like Moatsem to scavenge for basics.
Journalists face extreme peril: Over 206 have been killed since the war began, the deadliest conflict for media on record, per the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Israel bars international reporters, relying on local teams. This incident marks the third journalist death during the ceasefire.