IDF reservist severely wounded by Hamas ambush in Gaza as gunmen fire on Israeli troops in 'blatant ceasefire violation'

A reserve officer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was seriously wounded by gunfire on Tuesday night during activity on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line in the northern Gaza Strip, the military said Wednesday morning. 

“An IDF reserve officer was severely injured after terrorists opened fire on IDF troops in northern Gaza, during routine operational activity near the Yellow Line,” the military said in a statement.

“The injured officer was evacuated to a hospital and his family has been notified. Upon identifying the fire, IDF armored units and IAF aircraft conducted strikes in the area.” The military called the shooting attack a “blatant ceasefire violation.” 

Hebrew media said the IDF is investigating to determine if the shooting was a sniper attack or if the Palestinian gunmen had crossed into the Israeli-controlled territory. The officer received initial treatment on the ground by military medics and was then evacuated by helicopter to a hospital.

Shortly thereafter, Arab media reported Israeli strikes in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. On Wednesday morning, Palestinian sources reported additional strikes in the Gaza Strip in apparent retaliation for the shooting attack as the IDF hit Hamas targets. 

Humanitarian aid or smuggled terrorist weaponry?

IDF troops uncovered 110 mortar shells, several rockets, and additional weapons hidden inside blankets & UNRWA humanitarian aid bags near the Yellow Line.

Despite the ceasefire, terrorists in Gaza continue to rearm, using… pic.twitter.com/BZipmLMi3e

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 3, 2026

The incident occurred amid continued tensions related to the failure to disarm Hamas. The IDF continues efforts to locate and destroy Hamas tunnels in the Strip. On Tuesday, the military announced that during those search operations, soldiers located about 110 mortar shells, several rockets, and additional combat equipment, which were hidden in blankets and UNRWA humanitarian aid bags. 

Strikes were reported in several areas, including the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, where Hamas commanders have previously been located. Videos on social media showed a large explosion from earlier this morning, while Palestinian media reported 20 people killed in several strikes since Tuesday night. 

🔴 لحظة استهداف طائرات الاحتلال خيمة تؤوي نازحين بمواصي خان يونس جنوب قطاع غزة pic.twitter.com/f4uvuQd9iV

— غزة الآن - Gaza Now (@nowgnna) February 4, 2026

Amid reports among Palestinian social media accounts, claiming that the Rafah Crossing had been closed to patients seeking to cross in response to the shooting attack, on Wednesday morning, the officer of the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) denied the reports, saying the crossing had opened as scheduled. 

“Contrary to reports in the Gazan media, the Rafah Crossing has opened this morning as usual, in accordance with the agreement and Israel's commitment,” it said in a statement. 

📢Rafah Crossing - UPDATE

Contrary to reports in the Gazan media, the Rafah Crossing has opened this morning as usual, in accordance with the agreement and Israel's commitment.

The World Health Organization (@WHO), which is responsible for coordinating the arrival of residents…

— COGAT (@cogatonline) February 4, 2026

COGAT also said that no residents had been able to cross so far, due to the failure of the World Health Organization (WHO) to submit “the required coordination details at this stage for procedural reasons.” It said that once the details are submitted, the crossing of the patients and their companions will be facilitated.