The US announcement of a second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza contrasted sharply with ongoing escalated violations on Thursday, deepening humanitarian suffering amid severe weather.
The Israeli military launched artillery fire and airstrikes across several areas of the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning, media reports cited Palestinian sources.
Israeli artillery and aircraft targeted the al-Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza City, while artillery fire also targeted eastern areas of the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.
In southern Gaza, Israeli military vehicles opened fire east of Khan Younis, according to witnesses, the source added.
The attacks occurred in areas of the Gaza Strip, where Israeli forces remain deployed.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli attacks killed two Palestinians and injured three in Khan Younis and Gaza City.
A nurse at Nasser Hospital, was martyred when an Israeli strike targeted him near areas under military control in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Painful farewell to Palestinian man Hatem Abu Saleh, who was shot dead by Israeli forces east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/zF8rndgsqy
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) January 14, 2026
A second Palestinian was martyred by Israeli army fire, also in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis.
Two Palestinians, including a child, were also injured in a drone strike in Khan Younis, Palestinian sources said. A third person was injured by Israeli fire in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood.
US Announces Second Phase
The Israeli violations come as the US announced the start of the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan on Wednesday.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said the second phase of the 20-point-plan would focus on “demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction,” but his statement lacked key details about how to carry out some of the most difficult issues stipulated in the agreement.
“The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage. Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” he said in a post on X.
PHASE 2 of Trump's Gaza Plan BEGINS
— RT (@RT_com) January 14, 2026
Envoy Witkoff hails start of 'FULL demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza'
Warns Hamas to 'comply' or face 'SERIOUS consequences' pic.twitter.com/9qaNKnAoDW
UN Urges Side to Abide by Commitments
Commenting on the US announcement, the UN stressed that significant challenges remain in the Gaza Strip.
Asked about Steve Witkoff’s recent announcement, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a news conference that “we continue to urge all parties to abide by the commitments they made under the agreement.”
“We saw that in the past month, we have been able to do as much as we can to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid,” he said.
Highlighting the challenges despite the ceasefire, Dujarric said: “There remain a lot of hurdles, as we speak to every day on the humanitarian front. And the humanitarian needs continue to be great.”
He urged all sides to “seize” the “opportunity” and “put a credible political path forward, leading, … to a two-state solution.”
Source: Palestinian media (translated and edited by Al-Manar)