Israeli Airstrikes Hit Gaza on January 31, 2026, Amid Tensions Over Rafah Crossing Reopening

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the Gaza Strip was the target of a series of Israeli airstrikes that reportedly claimed the lives of at least 32 individuals. These military actions occurred at a critical juncture, taking place just hours before the scheduled partial reopening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. The timing of the strikes has significantly intensified the political and humanitarian strain in the region. According to data released by the Gaza Ministry of Health, the day's fatalities brought the total number of deaths since the implementation of the October 10, 2025, truce to over 530 by the end of the day.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officially confirmed the operations, asserting that the strikes were a direct response to alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement by Palestinian factions. As a primary justification for the mission, the IDF cited an incident from the previous Friday, where eight Palestinian fighters were observed emerging from a tunnel in the Rafah sector—an area where Israeli troops are currently positioned in accordance with the October accords. Military spokespersons stated that the operation successfully targeted four commanders and various members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, while also destroying a weapons depot, a production site, and two Hamas-linked rocket launchers in the central portion of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas leadership swiftly condemned the aerial attacks and issued an urgent call for the United States to take immediate action to halt the violence. The group stated that these "persistent violations" serve as clear evidence that the Israeli government is committed to maintaining its "brutal war of genocide" against the enclave. This exchange of accusations further highlights the deep-seated animosity and the precarious nature of the current diplomatic efforts to maintain a cessation of hostilities.

Data provided by Gaza’s Civil Defense indicated that the casualties were predominantly women and children, with the strikes hitting a variety of non-military targets. The bombardment affected residential buildings, temporary tent camps for displaced families, and several police stations across the territory. The strikes were widespread, impacting multiple districts including Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Al-Mawasi. This widespread destruction has added a new layer of hardship for a population already struggling with the consequences of prolonged conflict and displacement.

Specific incidents during the day's military activity were particularly devastating. A strike on a police facility in the Rimal/Sheikh Radwan neighborhood resulted in varying casualty reports; while police sources confirmed seven deaths, local witnesses suggested the toll reached eleven, including several civilians. In another tragic event in Khan Younis, the bombing of a tent camp for internally displaced persons resulted in the deaths of seven members of a single family, including a child. By the end of the day, at least seven minors were among the confirmed deceased, illustrating the heavy toll the violence continues to take on the most vulnerable residents.

The context of the Rafah crossing’s reopening, which was slated for February 1, 2026, gives these events added geopolitical weight. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced a limited resumption of border operations, a decision that was reportedly linked to the return of the remains of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili on January 26. Gvili was noted as the final Israeli hostage to be accounted for. Prior to this development, the Israeli administration had remained firm on its specific security demands, often overlooking repeated requests from the United States to open the crossing for humanitarian purposes.

The events of January 31 have once again brought the fragility of the October truce into sharp focus. The agreement, which was reached through the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, has been under constant pressure. Palestinian officials have frequently accused Israel of breaching the terms; the Gaza Government Media Office claimed that Israel had violated the ceasefire 282 times within the first month of its implementation. Amidst these ongoing clashes, UNICEF previously reported that no fewer than 100 Palestinian children had been killed since the truce began. These latest strikes underscore the instability of the peace process, even as diplomatic channels work toward the second stage of the peace plan initiated by the administration of President Donald Trump.