Compilation of news reports – IAK staff
(While a “ceasefire” is ostensibly in place, Israel has continued its assault on Gaza without interruption. If Americans Knew considers the war to be ongoing, and in its 831st day.)
Since the “ceasefire” began on October 11, Israel has killed at least 477 Palestinians. At least 1,301 have been injured. Death toll figures are tentative.
At least 25 Palestinians in Gaza have died due to the extreme cold, including 21 children, since the start of Israel’s genocidal war in October 2023. At least 9 Palestinian children have died of extreme cold this winter.
Israel has so far violated the 11 October ceasefire deal in Gaza at least 1,300 times (as of Jan. 15, 2026). More statistics below.
GAZA NEWS & HEADLINES:
(For some basic info on the Palestine-Israel conflict, go here. For more critical context, skim this, this, and this. To read about a remarkable but underreported, 20-month-long peaceful protest in Gaza against Israel, go here.
Three journalists among 11 Palestinians killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza
Anas Ghunaim, Abdul Ra’ouf Shaath and Mohammad Qeshta were documenting developments on the ground in central Gaza near the so-called Netzarim Corridor when they were reportedly hit in an Israeli strike. A fourth person was also killed in the attack.
In a separate attack in central Gaza, three other Palestinians from a single family – including a child – were killed in eastern Deir el-Balah.
In southern Gaza, a 13-year-old was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers while collecting firewood.
A 32-year-old woman was shot and killed in a separate attack in the vicinity of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, an Al Jazeera team reported.
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In Gaza, We’re Struggling to Reintroduce Foods to Bodies Adjusted to Starvation
Death in Gaza isn’t limited only to drones, gunfire, artillery shelling, infectious diseases, or the grinding famine. It can come, too, from the very act of eating, after a prolonged period of starvation. Malnutrition has already claimed hundreds of lives, yet in Gaza, even food can kill.
Since October’s ceasefire, Israel has allowed some — but not nearly enough — aid trucks to enter our besieged Strip. People in Gaza have desperately been eating, whenever possible, what they had been deprived of previously. Yet, as a result, many have developed “refeeding syndrome,” which is a serious medical condition. It is treatable, but it is fatal if not properly managed. Refeeding syndrome occurs when food is suddenly reintroduced after a prolonged period of starvation — and Israel has subjected those of us in Gaza to such periods on multiple occasions (continue reading here).
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Israel Drops Leaflets in Gaza Ordering Families to Evacuate – First Since Ceasefire
In the past two years, Israel would drop leaflets over areas before raiding or bombing them. This has led to the vast majority of the population being displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.
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Plans Call for “New Rafah” Built in Israel’s Image — Without Palestinians
Project Sunrise outlines a “smart city” with AI grids. It’s only possible with the continued dispossession of Palestinians.
UN says 70% of Gaza’s water production disrupted as Israel blocks ‘dual-use’ repair item
‘Our partners are looking at alternative water sources and scaling up water trucking to ensure continued access to safe water,’ says spokesperson.
GAZA “BOARD OF PEACE” NEWS & HEADLINES:
The so-called “Board of Peace” for Gaza is stacked with wealthy and powerful Israel supporters. Political strategist Ashish Prashar said, “It appears the only qualification for joining the Gaza ‘peace board’ is to have a strong track record of endorsing (and arming) Israel’s project of genocide, apartheid and ethnic cleansing, and criminalizing those who oppose it.”
Among the world leaders invited to be on the Board of Peace is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an indicted war criminal– but zero Palestinians. (Read more here.)
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Wednesday that he had agreed to join a US-backed “board of peace” proposed by Donald Trump, despite his office having earlier criticized the composition of its executive committee.
The body, chaired by the US president, was initially presented as a limited forum of world leaders tasked with overseeing a ceasefire in Gaza. More recently, however, the Trump camp extended invitations to dozens of countries and suggested the board could evolve into a vehicle for brokering conflicts far beyond the Middle East.
When asked by a reporter on Tuesday if the board should replace the UN, Trump said: “It might” (continue reading here).
Nine other countries have announced plans to join United States President Donald Trump’s so-called “board of peace” in the Gaza Strip, stressing the need to secure a “permanent ceasefire” in the bombarded Palestinian enclave: the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar said they would be joining the Trump-led board in a joint statement on Wednesday. Israel has also agreed to join.
RELATED: The Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ Is Dividing the Globe
OCCUPIED WEST BANK/EAST JERUSALEM NEWS & HEADLINES:
(Every day, Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem endure dozens of incidents like the ones below, at the hands of Israeli soldiers and/or settlers. For background on the West Bank, read this and this. For information on the significance of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, read this and this.)
Israeli official urges assassination and expulsion of UNRWA* employees from Jerusalem
Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Aryeh King called for the killing and expulsion of all staff of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), following the demolition of the agency’s headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem, which he described as a victory against an “enemy.” King went further by explicitly calling for the destruction and elimination of all UNRWA personnel.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the calls to assassinate UN staff signal a dangerous escalation, describing them as evidence of a “loss of moral compass” and the emergence of “a new era of barbarity.”
*NOTE: UNRWA, the United Nations body with a mandate to help Palestinian refugees, has been serving the refugees in exile in Gaza for decades as they wait for their internationally recognized right of return to be activated. After a years-long campaign to dismantle UNRWA, Israel outlawed the organization following an unsubstantiated accusation that 12 employees (out of a staff of 13,000) were part of the October 2023 attack. Israel’s brief dossier, allegedly proving their guilt, offered no compelling evidence. As of July 2025, Israel has still failed to provide evidence to back up its accusations against UNRWA.
To read about the indispensable work that UNRWA has done for Palestinian refugees, read this. UNRWA serves approximately 5.9 million registered Palestine refugees.
To learn the real reason why UNRWA was banned from Gaza and the West Bank, read this.
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ISRAELI OCCUPATION ON WEDNESDAY: ALL IN A DAY’S WORK:
Israeli restrictions force shutdown of dozens of educational institutions in southern Hebron
Third Day of Invasions, Abductions, and Siege in Hebron
One Year On: Jenin Marks a Devastating Military Offensive
Israeli Colonizers Burn Heavy Equipment in Urif
Israeli Soldiers Demolish Four‑Story Home in Shuqba
ISRAEL NEWS & HEADLINES:
(Israel is a tiny country, about the size of New Jersey, with a population smaller than the US state of Georgia – about 10 million (of which about 20 percent are Palestinians), yet it is in the news constantly. As has been demonstrated again and again, however, mainstream media rarely covers Israel accurately. IAK passes along only factual reporting.)
Israeli agricultural exports face ‘collapse’ as boycott* over Gaza genocide deepens
Israel’s once-lucrative agricultural export industry is facing an existential crisis, with farmers warning of a looming “collapse” as the country becomes increasingly isolated in global markets. The sharp downturn comes in the wake of growing international opposition to Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.
*NOTE: BDS, the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions movement, is a is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS call urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law.
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Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved on Wednesday the addition of 18 settlements in the occupied West Bank to the list of communities eligible for personal gun licenses, as part of his ongoing “weapons reform” policy.
Ben-Gvir said the expansion of gun licenses has proven effective, claiming that armed civilians have helped thwart attacks and prevent infiltrations. He added that settlers have a “moral right” to defend themselves and their families, and urged eligible residents to apply for firearms.
Official figures released by the ministry indicate that more than 240,000 settlers have obtained personal gun licenses since the launch of the reform, compared with about 8,000 licenses issued in the previous year.
*NOTE: Israeli media, as well as international media and human rights groups, have reported record levels of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in recent months.
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Israeli military-grade bullets found in bodies of children killed during Iran riots
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TASS reported on 21 January that Israeli military-grade bullets were found in the body of an 8-year-old girl killed during unrest in Iran, citing a source within Iranian security structures.… pic.twitter.com/9RkGm5B8TZ— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) January 21, 2026
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The Israeli Knesset approved a law on Wednesday evening that bans the employment of anyone holding an academic degree from a Palestinian higher education institution in Israel’s education system.
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Israeli strikes kill 2, wound 19 in southern Lebanon* despite ceasefire
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli air raids on Qanariyat injured 19, including journalists, as drone strikes killed 2 in separate vehicle attacks.
*NOTE: Although Israel signed a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon in November 2024, Israel has attacked Lebanon almost every day since, committing over 10,000 air and ground violations, and killing over 300.
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Israel holding Syrians* in harsh conditions as families desperately seek answers
Syrians, some of them teenagers, are being held in harsh conditions in Israeli prisons alongside Palestinians, as Israel continues its attacks and incursions in southwestern Syria. Detainees face legal limbo, denial of contact with their families and a lack of visits, amid limited efforts by rights groups to obtain information about their whereabouts and conditions.
*NOTE: Although Israel is not at war with Syria, the Israeli army has carried out over 1,000 airstrikes and 400 cross-border raids on Syria since December 2024.
NEWS & HEADLINES FROM ISRAELI MEDIA:
(You can learn a lot about a country from its headlines. Get a glimpse inside this country that is rife with turmoil and contradictions that receives $63 million a day from America.)
B’Tselem Report: Testimonies Describe ‘Pattern of Sexual Violence’ Against Palestinian Prisoners
The report of the Israeli-Palestinian rights group presents a series of testimonies describing severe abuse of detainees, including starvation and the denial of access to water and medical care; one prisoner said soldiers poured hydrochloric acid on him during his interrogation and burned his back (read a summary of the report here; find the full report here).
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Trump in Board of Peace Launch: Gaza Will Be ‘Beautifully Rebuilt’ and Demilitarized*
U.S. President Donald Trump said Hamas ‘were literally born with weapons in their hands – they have to give up weapons. If they won’t do it, it will be the end of them.’
*NOTE: Critically, Hamas has made clear that it will not surrender its weapons as long as the occupation remains in place (part of the ceasefire agreement) – a fact that Netanyahu and Trump seem to be ignoring.
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Donald Trump says he told Netanyahu Iron Dome is ‘US tech’ in Davos speech
At Davos, Trump told Netanyahu to stop taking credit for Iron Dome, declaring it “entirely American” while revealing plans for a revolutionary “Golden Dome” defense system.
OTHER NEWS & HEADLINES:
Anthony Albanese and Tony Burke say the laws are needed to protect Australians – particularly the Jewish community.
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France’s Law Committee adopts controversial bill to combat ‘renewed forms of antisemitism’
Critics of the bill have argued that it could criminalize ambiguous statements, irony, slogans, or political framing, and that it blurs the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel.
ICYMI, A SELECTION OF YESTERDAY’S HEADLINES:
Palestinian baby dies from cold in Gaza as winter death toll rises to 9
Sources: Trump to lead Gaza peace board post-presidency, may supplant UN
New B’Tselem report: Living Hell: the Israeli prison system as a network of torture camps
(Read yesterday’s daily update here.)
STATISTICS OCTOBER 7, 2023 – JANUARY 21, 2026*:
- At least 72,669 Palestinians killed, 182,379 injured – including:
- At least 71,562 killed in Gaza (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls)
- At least 1,107 killed in the West Bank (~230 children)
- At least 171,379 injured in Gaza
- About 11,000 injured in the West Bank
*NOTE: Thousands of those killed in Gaza have yet to be identified, and an estimated 10,000 more are still buried under rubble. Additionally, the numbers of injured and starved are very conservative estimates. Only the dead who are brought to hospitals are included in the official fatality count.
Reported Israeli death toll from October 7, 2023 – January 21, 2026: ~1,661 – including ~1,139** on October 7, 2023 (~36 children), 471 military forces since the ground invasion began in Gaza, about 52 military and civilians (by one count, there have been 59 victims) in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel.
By one count, Israeli attacks have killed approximately 275 Palestinian journalists and media workers; Palestinians have killed 4 Israeli journalists (other groups have tallied between 215 and 328 Palestinian journalists killed – depending on the criteria used).
**NOTE: It is unknown at this time how many of the deaths and injuries of Israelis on October 7 were caused by Israeli soldiers.
- Human rights reports on Israel-Palestine (regularly updated)
- Brutal Beatings, Arson, and Impunity: A Palestinian Plant Nursery Becomes a Target for Settler Pogroms
- On Iran’s protests, Israeli hypocrisy knows no limits
- A Cease-fire for Israelis and a War for Palestinians
- ‘When will Baba come back?’ Gaza’s widows and orphans struggle to survive
- Genocide research institute levels accusations against Germany for denying Israel’s genocide against Palestinians
- How an Israeli Firm Spreads Lies and Chaos Around the World
- ADL ‘Helping’ Ted Cruz and Ben Shapiro ‘Take Down’ Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, CEO Suggests
- Israel is Destroying Hope for the Future: Reproductive Violence in Gaza
- J Street is the new AIPAC in the Democratic Party
- The fate of Gaza’s disappeared remains unknown
- The U.S. has announced ‘Phase 2’ of the Gaza ceasefire. Here’s why it doesn’t matter for Palestinians.
- ‘My leg went to heaven before me’: Israeli war extinguishes Gaza childhoods
- Founders of deadly GHF ‘shaping’ new US-backed administration for Gaza: Report
- Genocide isn’t a mistake. Which is why the media can’t tell you the truth about Gaza
