In a tragic escalation of violence, Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes killed 18 people, including four children, in Gaza on Wednesday, according to Palestinian officials. The strikes also resulted in the halting of patient crossings through the Rafah border crossing. The deadly attacks have further strained the fragile ceasefire in the region, with hospitals reporting that six children were among those killed in the strikes.
The Israeli military stated that the strikes were launched in response to a gun attack on its troops, which left one soldier critically wounded. The escalating death toll of Palestinians, including women and children, has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters.
The United States, a key ally of Israel, has been involved in brokering peace talks between Israel and Palestine. However, the recent violence threatens to derail these efforts and plunge the region into further turmoil. The indiscriminate nature of the strikes, resulting in civilian casualties, has raised concerns about the proportionality and legality of Israel’s actions.
In a separate development, Israeli prosecutors have indicted 12 suspects, including IDF soldiers, for smuggling goods into Gaza. The charges include “assisting the enemy in wartime” and list items such as cigarettes and iPhones that were smuggled into the besieged Palestinian enclave for profit.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with the international community calling for restraint and a return to dialogue to prevent further loss of life. The ongoing conflict underscores the urgent need for a lasting and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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References:
1. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israeli-strikes-kill-18-in-gaza-patient-crossings-at-rafah-halted-palestinian-officials-say
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqyg0g5r0po?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
3. https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/five-children-among-19-killed-in-israeli-strikes-on-gaza-hospital-officials-say-1861262.html
4. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/feb/4/israel-strikes-gaza-killing-21-including-women-children-saying-hamas/
5. https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260204-israel-indicts-12-suspects-including-idf-soldiers-for-smuggling-goods-into-gaza
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