A rocket was fired again from the Gaza City area toward Israel on Thursday. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the projectile did not reach Israeli territory but landed inside the Gaza Strip – in close proximity to a hospital. The area is under Hamas control.
‼️ For the second time in the past 24 hours, Hamas has violated the ceasefire agreement.
A projectile was identified from Gaza City toward Israel. The projectile launch failed and fell within Gaza, close to a hospital. Shortly after, the IDF precisely struck the launch point. pic.twitter.com/DIXfZrMJRD
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 8, 2026
The military stated that it responded immediately and carried out a targeted strike on the launch site. Military sources emphasized that any attempt by terrorist organizations to attack Israeli soldiers or civilians is regarded as a serious violation of the current agreements.
צה״ל זיהה שיגור כושל שבוצע ממרחב העיר עזה לעבר שטח מדינת ישראל
לפני זמן קצר, זוהה שיגור ממרחב העיר עזה לעבר שטח מדינת ישראל.
השיגור נפל בתוך שטח רצועת עזה, בסמוך לבית חולים.בסגירת מעגל מהירה, צה״ל תקף באופן ממוקד את נקודת השיגור.
צה״ל רואה בחומרה רבה כל ניסיון של ארגוני… pic.twitter.com/HpAb20OEhO
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 8, 2026
This incident marks the second breach of the ceasefire in 24 hours. On Wednesday, armed Hamas members fired at an area where Israeli troops are operating in northern Gaza. In a joint statement from the military and the domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet, it was confirmed that a key Hamas activist involved in planning further attacks was killed in the response. This attack was also classified as a clear disregard for the ceasefire.
Earlier in the week, the military neutralized another Hamas terrorist in southern Gaza, who, according to security assessments, was preparing an imminent attack on Israeli soldiers. Since the ceasefire – brokered by the US and implemented in October – went into effect, there have been repeated armed incidents along the so-called Yellow Line, to which Israel has responded militarily.
Parallel to these security tensions, indications of new diplomatic initiatives are intensifying. According to reports, US President Donald Trump plans to announce next week the establishment of an international body for the future of the Gaza Strip. The so-called “Gaza Board of Peace” (or “Gaza Peace Council”) is expected to consist of around 15 heads of state and government and will oversee both reconstruction and the formation of a technocratic Palestinian administration.
Participating countries are reportedly to include, among others, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. The first meeting could take place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The former UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov is slated to serve as the representative on the ground; he is currently in Israel for discussions.
According to media reports, it was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval to advance to the next phase of the ceasefire that paved the way for this announcement. However, it remains uncertain whether diplomatic initiatives will be sufficient to end the repeated violations of the truce, given the situation on the ground.
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