Retaliatory strike highlights fragile truce as Hamas and rival militias clash
Despite a ceasefire meant to ease years of bloodshed, violence in Gaza continues to flare, exposing the fragility of the current truce and the complex power struggle on the ground.
Airstrike in Gaza City
An Israeli airstrike killed at least two Palestinians in Gaza City on Wednesday, Jan 7, according to local health authorities. The strike hit a residential house, wounding several others, though the identities of those killed were not immediately disclosed by medical officials.
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli military said the strike was a retaliatory operation after Hamas militants fired on Israeli soldiers earlier the same day. According to the military, the target was a senior Hamas militant accused of directing attacks against Israeli troops. No Israeli casualties were reported.
Silence From Hamas
There was no immediate response from Hamas regarding the airstrike or the allegations made by Israel. Hamas continues to maintain a strong presence across much of Gaza, where it has been rebuilding its command structure despite heavy losses during the two-year conflict.
Internal Clashes in Rafah
Separately, tensions escalated in southern Gaza when an Israeli-backed Palestinian militia claimed it killed two Hamas members in Rafah. The incident underscores growing internal challenges to Hamas from rival armed groups operating in areas where Israeli forces maintain influence.
Control and Political Stalemate
Nearly all of Gaza’s two million residents live in areas controlled by Hamas, where sources say the group still commands thousands of fighters. Israel, however, retains control over more than half of Gaza. With US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza plan advancing slowly, there is no clear timeline for further Israeli withdrawals.
Ceasefire Under Pressure
Although fighting has significantly decreased since Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in October, violence has not fully stopped. Both sides have accused each other of breaching the truce. Since the ceasefire began, more than 400 Palestinians, mostly civilians according to Gaza health officials, and three Israeli soldiers have been killed, according to Reuters.
The continued violence in Gaza highlights the limits of the current ceasefire and the deep-rooted instability facing the region. For Indonesia, Singapore, and the wider international community, the situation reinforces the need for sustained diplomatic engagement to prevent further civilian suffering and regional spillover.
Sources: Asia One (2026) , Arab News (2026)
Keywords: Gaza Airstrike, Hamas Militants, Israeli Military, Gaza Ceasefire
