Israeli forces killed two Palestinians on Friday in separate attacks in the northern Gaza Strip, while artillery shelling and large‑scale demolitions continued across the enclave despite the so‑called ceasefire that Israel has violated daily since October.
Medical teams recovered the body of Mohammad Salah Abu Rokba, 33, after Israeli forces shot him outside the “yellow line” in the al‑Waha area north of Gaza.
In a separate incident, the body of Ahmad al‑Qanou‘ was transported from Jabalia town, in northern Gaza, after he was fatally shot by Israeli forces earlier in the day.
The “yellow line” is the Israeli‑imposed buffer zone created under the first phase of the ceasefire, where Palestinians are prohibited from entering while Israeli forces remain entrenched. Attacks in and around this zone have been frequent, with dozens killed and injured in recent weeks.
Renewed Shelling in Khan Younis
Israeli artillery renewed its shelling east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, targeting areas near schools and camps hosting displaced families.
Residents reported heavy explosions throughout the morning as Israeli forces continued to operate around the buffer zone, claiming “security threats” despite the absence of active fighting in the area.
Widespread Demolitions Before Dawn
Before dawn on Friday, Israeli forces carried out large‑scale demolitions of residential buildings in multiple areas across Gaza. Local sources described the detonations as some of the most extensive in weeks, with entire structures leveled in pre‑planned explosions.
These demolitions follow a pattern of systematic destruction documented since October 2023, which has left more than 80 percent of Gaza’s housing stock damaged or destroyed.
Ongoing Violations of the Ceasefire
Friday’s killings bring the number of Palestinians killed since the U.S.-brokered “ceasefire” of October 2025 to 509, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. Despite the declared pause, Israeli forces have continued to carry out lethal attacks, including artillery strikes, live fire in the buffer zone, and large‑scale demolitions across the Strip.
On Thursday, Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in separate incidents, and one person succumbed to wounds sustained earlier. Patients returning through the Rafah crossing also reported harsh treatment and prolonged delays imposed by the Israeli army.
On Wednesday, medical sources reported that 24 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured across Gaza in multiple attacks.
Humanitarian Situation Remains Dire
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Most of Gaza’s population remains displaced, with thousands living in makeshift tents amid winter conditions. Medical facilities are overwhelmed, and evacuations remain severely restricted despite the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing.
Since the declared “ceasefire” on October 11, 2025, Gaza’s hospitals have recorded 577 killed, 1,518 injured, and 717 bodies recovered from under the rubble.
Yesterday, February 5th, The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that at least 71,851 Palestinians have been killed and 171,626 injured since October 7, 2023.
These figures reflect the cumulative and confirmed toll of continuous bombardment, displacement, starvation‑related deaths, and the collapse of Gaza’s medical system. Thousands more remain missing beneath destroyed homes and public buildings, and humanitarian agencies warn that the true toll is likely higher.
