Developments in Gaza Between 15–20 January 2026
The ceasefire process in Gaza entered its second phase as of 15 January 2026. This development was announced in a press briefing conducted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration via teleconference.
A U.S. official described Türkiye’s role in facilitating the process as follows: “President (Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan, Foreign Minister (Hakan) Fidan, and Intelligence Director (Head of the National Intelligence Organization) Ibrahim Kalın were deeply involved in this process and did an incredible job alongside us. We believe their participation was crucial.” The same official also stated: “President Trump is very grateful on this matter.”
In the statement from the Trump administration, in addition to acknowledging Türkiye’s contribution to the Gaza ceasefire plan, it was emphasized that the process of rebuilding relations between Türkiye and Israel was being supported.
Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East, announced in a written statement on the same day that the process had moved into its second phase and defined this phase as follows: “Today, on behalf of President Trump, we announce the initiation of the second phase of the President’s 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza. This phase includes disarmament, technocratic governance, and reconstruction following the ceasefire.”
Witkoff’s statement indicated that the second phase includes the establishment of a Gaza Administration National Committee (GANC) as a temporary technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, the complete disarmament of Gaza, and the region’s reconstruction.
Following these announcements, the Palestinian government in Gaza released data regarding the first phase of the ceasefire. According to the report issued by the Gaza Government Media Office, Israel committed 1,244 violations during the first phase of the ceasefire between 10 October 2025 and 15 January 2026, resulting in 449 Palestinian deaths, 1,246 injuries, and 50 detentions.
The report further stated that humanitarian aid deliveries were obstructed during the ceasefire process, with only 24,611 of the 57,000 trucks stipulated in the agreement reaching Gaza. While a daily average of 600 trucks was required, the number was limited to 259 trucks, meaning that compliance with the ceasefire reached only 43 percent.
Regarding fuel deliveries, only 601 trucks entered Gaza instead of the planned 4,750 trucks, representing a compliance rate of only 12 percent. As a result, most hospitals, bakeries, and water purification centers in Gaza were rendered non-operational, according to the report.
As winter conditions worsened, it was reported that numerous tents collapsed due to cold weather, more than 127,000 shelters became unusable, and over 1.5 million displaced people were left without minimum shelter conditions.
Formation of a New Governance Structure for Gaza
The details of the local and international governance structure established under the Gaza peace plan were finalized on 17 January 2026. According to diplomatic sources, the configuration process is proceeding on the basis of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, dated 17 November 2025. This resolution endorsed the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on 29 September 2025.
The new governance model has three main organs: Board of Peace, Executive Board of the Board of Peace, and Gaza Administration Council.
Board of Peace
The Board of Peace is defined as the highest political body established for Gaza. U.S. President Donald Trump serves as its chair. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been invited as a founding member responsible for Gaza’s reconstruction and security. Burhanettin Duran, Head of the Presidency Communications Directorate, stated on his social media account: “The United Nations Security Council, through Resolution 2803, has decided to endorse the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. In this framework, the Board of Peace has been established to restore security in Gaza.”
Executive Board of the Board of Peace
The members of the Executive Board, tasked with formulating the strategic vision of the Board of Peace, have been disclosed. The board includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Trump’s Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, former Trump advisor Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, businessman Marc Rowan, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, and U.S. National Security Advisor Robert Gabriel.
Gaza Administration National Committee (GANC)
The chair of the Gaza Administration National Committee (National Committee for the Administration of Gaza – GANC) has been appointed as Dr. Ali Shaas, former Deputy Minister of Transport of Palestine. The committee consists entirely of 15 Palestinian technocrats from Gaza. The structure will operate with the support of Türkiye, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, alongside the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Palestinian Authority, and other Palestinian political entities.
Gaza High Representation and International Stability Force
The High Representation Office, established to coordinate the transition process in Gaza, has been headed by former UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nikolay Mladenov. Mladenov is also a member of the Executive Board of the Board of Peace. The command of the International Stability Force, deployed to ensure security in Gaza, has been assumed by U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers.
Gaza Administration Council
The Gaza Administration Council is responsible for monitoring activities between the High Representation Office and the Gaza Administration National Committee. Its members include Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egyptian General Hassan Rashad, Tony Blair, Marc Rowan, UAE Minister of State Reem Al-Hashimy, Nikolay Mladenov, Yakir Gabay, and UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Sigrid Kaag.
Israel’s Continued Attacks Despite the Ceasefire
On 17 January 2026, the Israeli military launched air and ground attacks on various areas of the Gaza Strip. According to local sources, the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, the Jabaliya Refugee Camp in northern Gaza, and the city of Deir al-Balah in the central region were targeted by Israeli warplanes. Additionally, helicopter and ground fire was directed at the eastern part of Khan Yunis and the northern part of Rafah.
According to ministry data, between October 2023 and 17 January 2026, 71,548 Palestinians were killed and 171,353 were injured in these attacks. It was also announced that 92 newly confirmed deaths have been added to the total by the government-affiliated Martyr Accreditation Committee.
A 27-day-old baby living in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza died due to extreme cold. Health sources reported that with this death, the number of children killed by the cold since the start of winter has risen to eight.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, in a post on the U.S.-based X platform, referenced satellite images from The New York Times showing over 2,500 buildings destroyed in Gaza despite the ceasefire, and stated: “I congratulate Israeli soldiers for their operations.” Katz added in his statement: “Israel will continue to ensure its security against all immediate and distant threats.”
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem, in a written statement, described Katz’s boasting about the destruction in Gaza as “an unprecedented level of audacity against international law and humanitarian norms.” Qassem stated: “What is happening in Gaza is a genocide war and ethnic cleansing.”
On 19 January 2026, the Israeli military launched further air and artillery attacks on various areas of the Gaza Strip. According to local sources, parts of eastern Khan Yunis, the city of Deir al-Balah, and the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City were targeted by artillery fire. Additionally, indiscriminate firing occurred in the Jabaliya area.
Health sources reported that three Palestinians were killed in the attacks on this date. In the Mevasi area of Rafah, a child named Hussein Ziya Abu Armana died; in Khan Yunis, 17-year-old Hussein Tawfiq Abu Sible was killed by a drone strike; and in the Sheikh Nasir region, 20-year-old Shahir Adem Abu Hadid lost his life.
On 19 January, 7-month-old Sheza Abu Jarrad, a resident of Gaza City, died due to extreme cold. With this death, the number of children who have died from the cold during the winter months has risen to nine
According to data released by the Gaza Ministry of Health on 20 January 2026, the number of Palestinians killed in attacks since October 2023 has risen to 71,551, and the number of injured to 171,372. The ministry also reported that 466 people were killed and 1,294 injured since the ceasefire came into effect on 10 October 2025. It was further stated that thousands of bodies remain buried under rubble in the Gaza Strip.
Developments in Gaza Between 21–31 January 2026
Ceasefire Violations and Renewed Intensification of Attacks
On 21 January 2026, the Israeli military targeted Gaza City in northern Gaza and Deir al-Balah in the central region with aerial attacks, despite the ceasefire that came into effect on 10 October 2025. It also destroyed remaining buildings and facilities in the northern city of Sheikh Zayid. Explosions were felt in Gaza City and northern areas. Israeli naval vessels fired machine guns toward the shoreline of Gaza City, and eastern districts of the city were targeted both from air and ground. In southern Khan Yunis, eastern areas were struck by intense fire from military vehicles.
According to hospital sources, on the same day, the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza was targeted by artillery fire, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinians, including one child. Three Palestinians were killed in a bombardment targeting the southern part of Gaza City. Munir al-Bursh, Director General of the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health, stated that “the three Palestinians killed in the bombardment of southern Gaza City were journalists”. It was announced that the total number of journalists killed had reached 260 with these deaths.
In a statement on 22 January, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 11 Palestinians were killed and 7 injured in the last 48 hours. The statement noted that “since the ceasefire came into effect, 477 people have been killed and 1,301 injured in Israeli attacks.” It further recorded that “the number of Palestinians killed since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023 has risen to 71,562, and the number of injured to 171,379.”
On 24 January 2026, the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health announced that, since the start of winter, 10 children have died due to cold weather caused by Israel’s obstruction of fuel and humanitarian aid deliveries. The statement included: “Three-month-old Ali Abu Zur died of extreme cold at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.” It was also stated that 6-month-old Yusuf Omar Abu Hamala, who lived in the Mevasi area of Khan Yunis, also died due to cold weather. The number of children unable to be protected from the cold since winter began has reached 10.
On the same day, the Israeli military bombed the Jabaliya area in northern Gaza despite the ceasefire, injuring many Palestinians in an attack targeting Gaza Street. Additionally, Palestinian Mecdi Ibrahim Belavi was injured by gunfire in the Salatin area of Beit Lahiya, and Palestinian Muayyid Abu Muammer was injured in southern Khan Yunis.
Eyewitnesses reported that an explosion occurred near the Ammara Casir intersection in central Khan Yunis due to fire from a drone. Aerial attacks were launched against areas in the southeast of Khan Yunis, and Israeli naval vessels targeted the city’s coastal strip. On the same day, artillery fire was directed at the eastern side of the Meghazi Refugee Camp, and eastern areas of Gaza were struck.
Health sources reported that in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahiya, 14-year-old Selman Zakaria and 15-year-old Muhammad Yusuf were killed when a bomb exploded near Kemal Advan Hospital. Eyewitnesses stated that a bomb was dropped from an Israeli drone onto the location where children were present. It was also recorded that the Kiz el-Neccar area in southern Khan Yunis was targeted in a bombardment, resulting in the death of one Palestinian.
In a written statement issued by the Gaza Ministry of Health as of 24 January, it was reported that “four Palestinians were killed and 12 injured in the last 48 hours.” The statement noted that “since the ceasefire came into effect, 481 people have been killed and 1,313 injured in Israeli attacks.” Total fatalities have risen to 71,654 and injuries to 171,391.
On 25 January, the Israeli military launched aerial attacks and artillery fire on various areas of the Gaza Strip from early morning. In the eastern part of Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, particularly around El-Battish Cemetery, numerous buildings were destroyed by explosives. Demolition activities occurred simultaneously with aerial bombardments.
On the same day, the eastern side of the Jabaliya Refugee Camp in northern Gaza and the Beni Suheyla village in eastern Khan Yunis were targeted by artillery fire. In the Khan Yunis area, fire was opened against Palestinian fishermen, with no casualties reported. Health sources reported that in Israeli attacks violating the ceasefire, three Palestinians were killed and six injured.
On 26 January, the Gaza Ministry of Health stated in its statement that “in the last 24 hours, the bodies of three Palestinians, one of whom was recovered from under rubble, and 20 injured were brought to hospitals.” The statement noted that “since the ceasefire came into effect, 486 people have been killed and 1,341 injured.” Total fatalities have reached 71,660.
Board of Peace for Gaza and Davos Statements
On 21 January, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement. The statement read: “The ministers announce their countries’ joint decision to join the Board of Peace. Each country, including Egypt, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, which have already announced their participation, will sign the relevant documentation in accordance with their own legal and other necessary procedures.” The statement further indicated that this mission aims to “strengthen a lasting ceasefire, support the reconstruction of Gaza, and enable the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and statehood under international law.”
On 22 January, at the “Board of Peace Charter for Gaza” signing ceremony held in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. President Donald Trump stated in his speech: “We have carefully maintained the ceasefire in Gaza and will continue to do so.” In the same speech, Trump announced that “59 countries are participating in the Gaza Peace Board” and added: “Fifty-nine countries have joined the peace process in the Middle East. Most are not from the Middle East but from nearby regions, not within it.”
Recovery of the Body of the Israeli Hostage
On 26 January 2026, the Israeli military announced that it had located the body of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili during a search in a cemetery in eastern Gaza City. The statement read: “During a search in eastern Gaza City, the body of the Israeli hostage was found and identified through testing.” It was reported that the remains would be transported back to Israel.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “We recovered the body of the last hostage in Gaza. Thus, we have retrieved all 20 living hostages and all deceased ones! An incredible job. Most people thought this was impossible.”
Hamas, in its written statement on the matter, said: “In accordance with our commitment to the ceasefire that came into effect in October and our national obligations, we made efforts to locate the body of the last Israeli hostage.” The statement added: “Thus, as Palestinian resistance fighters, we have fulfilled our commitment to the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.”
Hamas also called on Israel to “fully implement all provisions of the ceasefire agreement” and demanded the opening of the Rafah Crossing in both directions. The statement said: “Since the issue of the Israeli hostage’s body has been resolved, we demand full implementation of all provisions Israel has failed to fulfill.”
Rafah Attacks and Aid Access Debates
On 27 January 2026, the Israeli military targeted eastern Khan Yunis, western Rafah, and the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza. On the same day, helicopters fired on areas around the Bureyc Refugee Camp in central Gaza, and a series of explosions occurred in parts of Rafah city.
Gaza Ministry of Health, in its written statement, reported that “in the last 48 hours, eight Palestinians were killed, two of them children, and 19 injured.” The statement noted that “since the ceasefire came into effect, 494 people have been killed and 1,377 injured in Israeli attacks.” Total fatalities have risen to 71,662, and injuries to 171,410.
On the same day, the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza, the western side of the Jabaliya Refugee Camp, and eastern areas of Khan Yunis were targeted by artillery fire. Eyewitnesses reported that tents housing displaced civilians in northern Rafah were also hit. Civilian casualties occurred in Israeli attacks, with children among the dead.
In another statement on the same date, the Gaza Ministry of Health announced that “the number of children who have died from the cold during winter in Gaza has risen to 11”. The statement noted that “a 12-day-old baby died due to lack of fuel and heating materials”. The ministry also reported that “more than 20,000 patients are waiting for treatment abroad and 1,268 patients have died while awaiting permission to leave”.
On 28 January, the Israeli military conducted intense aerial attacks around Jabaliya in northern Gaza, Deir al-Balah in the central region, and Khan Yunis in the south. The Bureyc and Meghazi refugee camps were also subjected to bombardment.
On 29 January, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported in its statement that “71,667 people have been killed and 171,458 injured”. According to the statement, since the ceasefire came into effect on 10 October 2025, 499 Palestinians have been killed and 1,393 injured.
On the same day, the Zeytun neighborhood in eastern Gaza, the Rimal area, Shu’aiyya, and the Esda neighborhood in western Khan Yunis were hit by aerial attacks. Israeli artillery units targeted Beit Hanun and its surroundings in northern Gaza. The wounded and dead from these attacks were transported to Shifa, Nasir, and Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospitals in Gaza.
On the same day, European Union officials issued a statement regarding the Rafah Crossing. El Anouni, speaking on behalf of the EU Rafah Aid Mission (EUBAM Rafah), said: “We are ready to move immediately as soon as the crossing opens.”
New Aerial Attacks and Rising Casualties
On 30 January 2026, the Israeli military, in attacks targeting the eastern side of the Meghazi Refugee Camp in central Gaza, reported the deaths of 21-year-old Yasir Muhammad Abu Shahadeh and 20-year-old Walid Hasan Darwish. According to eyewitnesses, the attack was carried out by a drone near the Abu Namus Intersection. On the same day, three Palestinians were killed in another aerial attack in Rafah city.
On the same date, two Palestinian children, aged 15 and 16 respectively, were injured in the El-Celezon Refugee Camp in northern Ramallah due to Israeli gunfire. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Israeli forces conducted raids on the camp area and carried out operations in several villages around Ramallah.
On the morning of 31 January 2026, the Gaza Civil Defense Directorate announced that 37 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks launched from early morning across various areas of the Gaza Strip. The statement indicated that children and women were among the dead. The deaths of 32 people were confirmed in the initial hours, and the total number rose to 37 in subsequent hours.
The Israeli military targeted a tent housing displaced civilians in the Esda area of Khan Yunis with a drone. Health officials from Nasir Hospital reported that “seven members of the same family were killed and six injured in the attack.” On the same day, an apartment building in the Rimal neighborhood in western Gaza City was targeted, killing five people, including three children and two women.
One person was killed in Israeli attacks in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, and the police station in the Sheikh Rizwan neighborhood was also targeted. Thirteen people were killed in the attack on the police station, with many others injured.
In a bombing targeting an apartment in the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, several Palestinians were injured. The central street of Gaza City, Cela Street, and the eastern side of the El-Bureyc Refugee Camp were also targeted in aerial attacks. Injured individuals from these areas were taken to hospitals.
In its statement as of 31 January, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that “in the last 48 hours, 28 bodies and 49 injured were brought to hospitals, 12 of the dead being from today.” The statement noted that “since the ceasefire came into effect on 10 October 2025, 509 people have been killed and 1,405 injured”. Total fatalities have risen to 71,769, and injuries have exceeded 171,480.
In its written statement regarding the attacks, the Israeli military claimed that “Hamas has violated the ceasefire.” On the same day, the eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City—Tuffah, Rimal, Zeytun, and Nasir—and the western areas of Khan Yunis—Esda—and the surrounding areas of Rafah were subjected to successive bombardments.
The bodies of those killed in the attacks were transported to Shifa and Nasir hospitals. Palestinian sources reported that women and children were among the dead.
Among the bodies brought to hospitals after the attacks were those of seven members of the same family from the Rimal and Esda areas. Health officials reported that the occupancy rate of Nasir Hospital in Khan Yunis had reached 140 percent and that morgues had exceeded their capacity.
International Condemnations
European Union (EU) officially condemned Israel on 1 February 2026 for repeatedly violating the ceasefire in Gaza. EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib stated on her account on the U.S.-based X platform: “We condemn the repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians were killed and injured over the weekend due to Israeli attacks.”
Lahbib further emphasized that “international humanitarian law must be respected and civilians must be protected everywhere and at all times.”
On the same day, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations that have resulted in over a thousand Palestinian deaths and injuries.
The statement further noted: “These actions risk undermining the efforts of regional and international actors who are working together to advance the second phase of the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, thereby escalating tensions and weakening the consolidation of calm and the restoration of stability.”
The statement emphasized that these repeated violations directly threaten the political process and obstruct ongoing efforts to create a conducive environment for transitioning to a more stable phase in terms of both security and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip. It stressed that full adherence to Trump’s Peace Plan is essential for its second phase to succeed.
The statement added: “The ministers further call on all parties to fully fulfill their responsibilities and exercise maximum restraint during this critical period, in order to preserve and sustain the ceasefire, avoid any action that could undermine the current process, and create favorable conditions to advance early recovery and reconstruction, in line with international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative, toward the promotion of a just and lasting peace based on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood.”
