After failed rocket launch, IDF launches new strikes in Gaza as Hamas twice violates ceasefire, attempts to attack Israeli troops

The Israel Defense Forces launched a wave of airstrikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip overnight, after the terror group broke the ceasefire and launched two attacks against Israeli troops over the past two days. 

The IDF said it “precisely struck Hamas terrorists and terror infrastructure in the southern and northern Gaza Strip,” including “launch pits, and additional terror infrastructure.” 

This followed a failed launch of a rocket toward Israel that landed near a hospital in Gaza on Thursday. The Israeli military stressed that this “constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement.” 

According to Army Radio, it was the first rocket launch from Gaza since the second anniversary of the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, 2025. 

‼️ 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

On Wednesday, the IDF struck a Hamas battalion commander in response to terrorists opening fire at Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza, near an area where Hamas and Red Cross representatives had renewed the searches for the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili earlier that day. 

The IDF and the Shin Bet emphasized that they “condemn any violation of the agreement and will continue to operate to thwart any attempt by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to execute terrorist attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians.” 

Hamas’ civilian authorities in Gaza claimed that the Israeli strikes on Thursday killed 13 people, including several children. Hamas spokesman, Hazem Qassem, told the French press agency AFP that the strikes “confirm the Israeli occupation’s renunciation of its commitment to the ceasefire.” 

Hamas claims that Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed over 400 Palestinians since the ceasefire began in October. Hamas’ statistics have often proven inflated or outright wrong. 

⭕️DISMANTLED: 2km of Hamas Underground Tunnel Routes in Northern Gaza.

IDF troops have been operating along the Yellow Line in northern Gaza in order to dismantle terrorist infrastructure sites, both above and below ground. pic.twitter.com/64nSctEZYV

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 4, 2026

In addition, the IDF has published numerous updates about its troops shooting at Gazans who crossed the Yellow Line demarcating the IDF-held part of the Strip. IDF soldiers told Israeli media that terrorists often try to probe their defenses in the area. 

According to Ynet News, Israeli forces stationed on the Yellow Line have been trained to respond to surprise attacks, including simultaneous raids by dozens of terrorists at several points. 

Sources in the Gaza Division told the outlet that the IDF estimates that attempts to cross the line are happening on a near-daily basis and are intended to probe the soldiers’ speed and the severity of response. 

On Thursday, The Times of Israel reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to soon transition to the second phase of the Gaza peace deal and expects to announce the composition of the Board of Peace as early as next week. 

This would entail further withdrawals by the Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip.