At least 32 people have been martyred in a series of intensive airstrikes launched by Zionist forces across the Gaza Strip. This escalation marks one of the deadliest attacks since the implementation of a nominal ceasefire agreement reached last October between the Zionist entity and Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza.
The strikes targeted residential homes, displacement camps, and a police station. In Gaza City, an attack on the Sheikh Radwan police station resulted in 13 fatalities, including five police officers. Further strikes were directed at tents housing displaced families in Khan Younis and several residential buildings in Gaza City. Among the victims of these targeted raids were three young sisters from a single family.
Despite the existence of a formal cessation of hostilities agreement, Zionist forces have repeatedly violated its terms by launching persistent attacks on the besieged enclave. Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, the total number of martyrs in Gaza has reached 71,654. Notably, more than 500 people have been martyred since the ceasefire agreement was purportedly put into effect.
This latest wave of aggression comes just ahead of the scheduled reopening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza on February 1st, under the second phase of the agreement. COGAT, a unit of the Zionist defense ministry, stated that the crossing would reopen under strict regulations solely for civilian use. The movement of goods through this terminal remains prohibited. Furthermore, any individual wishing to use the Rafah crossing must obtain prior security clearance from the Zionist authorities. The coordination of crossings will be managed jointly by the Zionist entity and Egypt, with European Union border control agents overseeing the operations—a protocol similar to the one implemented during the temporary reopening in January 2025.
Zionist authorities clarified that only those who fled Gaza during the ongoing war would be permitted to return via Egypt and the Rafah crossing. Those who left the territory prior to the current conflict will not be granted entry. Even for eligible returnees, entry is contingent upon obtaining Zionist security clearance and undergoing additional identification and screening processes, over which the Zionist entity maintains absolute control.
The Zionist entity continues to block the adequate flow of humanitarian aid and essential goods into Gaza. As residents face the hardships of winter, the lack of basic necessities has further exacerbated the dire humanitarian crisis. International organizations, including the United Nations, continue to call on the Zionist authorities to open all routes for the unhindered delivery of life-saving aid to the people of Gaza.
