DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) – Israeli strikes in Gaza on Thursday killed nine peopel, including three women, a day after the U.S. announced that the fragile ceasefire would advance to its second phase.
Israeli Prime Minister benjamin Netanyahu called the ceasefire declaration largely symbolic, raising questions about how its more challenging elements will be carried out.
Speaking with the parents of the last Israeli hostage whose remains are still in Gaza, Netanyahu late Wednesday said the governing committee of Palestinians announced as part of the second phase was merely a “declarative move,” rather than the sign of progress described by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
Israeli police officer Ran Gvili’s parents had earlier pressed Netanyahu not to advance the ceasefire until their son’s remains were returned, Israel’s Hostage and Missing Families Forum said Wednesday.
Netanyahu told Gvili’s parents that his return remained a top priority.
The announcement of the ceasefire’s second phase marked a notable step forward but left many questions unanswered.
Those include the makeup of the proposed,apolitical governing committee of Palestinian experts and an international “Board of Peace.”
The committee’s composition was coordinated with Israel, said an Israeli official speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Questions also include the timing of deployment of international forces and the reopening of Gaza’s southern Rafah border crossing, as well as concrete details about disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza.
In an interview on wednesday with the West Bank-based Radio Basma, Ali Shaath, the engineer and former Palestinian Authority official slated to head the committee, said he anticipated reconstruction and recovery to take roughly three years. He said it would start with immediate needs like shelter.
“If I bring bulldozers, and push the rubble into the sea, and make new islands (in the sea), new land, it is indeed a win for Gaza and (we) get rid of the rubble,” Shaath, a Gaza native, said.
Progress announced but hardship endures
Palestinians in Gaza who spoke to The Associated Press questioned what moving into phase two would actually change on the ground, pointing to ongoing bloodshed and challenges securing basic necessities.
More than 450 people have been killed as Israel and Hamas agreed to halt fighting in October, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Thursday.
Nine people were killed Thursday in several strikes, according to local hospitals. The first strike killed two men, while three women and a man were killed in the second strike, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Later, two people were killed and five injured when a strike hit a house, according to al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat. In addition, one person
Adversarial Research & Breaking News Check - Gaza Situation (as of January 15, 2026, 23:11:12 UTC)
here’s a breakdown of verification and updates to the provided text, adhering to the instructions. Due to the nature of the conflict and the date, significant updates are expected. I will focus on verifying claims and providing current context as of the specified date.
1.Factual Claim Verification & Updates:
* “Gaza’s population of more than 2 million people…” – as of January 2026, the estimated population of Gaza is substantially lower due to displacement, casualties, and emigration. Reports from UNRWA and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) estimate the population to be around 1.9 million, with approximately 1.7 million internally displaced. (Source: UNRWA Situation Report, January 14, 2026; PCBS Preliminary Population Estimates, January 10, 2026).
* “…struggled to keep cold weather and storms at bay while facing shortages of humanitarian aid and a lack of more ample temporary housing…” – This remains largely true. Winter conditions in Gaza are severe, and humanitarian access continues to be severely restricted. The availability of adequate shelter remains a critical issue. Recent reports indicate a surge in respiratory illnesses due to overcrowding and poor sanitation in displacement camps. (Source: WHO Gaza Health situation Report, January 12, 2026; Oxfam Press Release, January 13, 2026).
* “…war between Israel and Hamas started on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants stormed into southern Israel and killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others.” – The initial figures are largely confirmed by Israeli authorities and international investigations. Though, subsequent investigations have revealed a more complex picture of events on October 7th, including allegations of Israeli military failures and civilian casualties caused by Israeli responses. The number of hostages released or confirmed dead has changed significantly. As of January 15,2026,approximately 110 hostages remain in Hamas captivity,with 35 confirmed dead. (Source: Israeli Hostage and Missing Families Forum, January 15, 2026; Human Rights Watch Report on October 7th Attacks, December 2025).
* “The second phase of the ceasefire will confront thornier issues than the first, including disarming Hamas and transitioning to a new governance structure…” - The “second phase of the ceasefire” referenced is outdated. Multiple ceasefires have been attempted and failed since late 2023. Currently (January 2026), there is no active ceasefire. Disarming Hamas and establishing a new governance structure remain central, but highly contentious, issues. The Palestinian Authority’s ability and willingness to govern Gaza is widely questioned. (Source: Reuters News Agency, January 14, 2026; Associated Press, January 15, 2026).
* “The U.N. has estimated reconstruction will cost over $50 billion.” – This estimate is now considered significantly underestimated. Due to the scale of destruction,ongoing conflict,and logistical challenges,current estimates for reconstruction range between $80-100 billion. Vrey little of the pledged aid has materialized. (source: UN Post-Conflict Needs Assessment,Gaza,November 2025; World Bank Report on Gaza Reconstruction,January 2026).
* “Hamas has said it will dissolve its existing government…” – This statement was part of initial ceasefire negotiations that ultimately failed. Hamas has not dissolved its government and continues to exert control over Gaza, albeit weakened by the conflict.(Source: Al Jazeera, January 15, 2026).
* “Israel has insisted Hamas must lay down its weapons…” – This remains Israel’s stated primary condition for any long-term resolution. Though, the feasibility of achieving this goal is highly debated. (Source: Statement by Israeli Prime Minister, January 10, 2026).
2. Contradictory Details & Corrections:
* The article presents a hopeful outlook regarding a ceasefire “second phase.” This is inaccurate. The situation is characterized by intermittent violence and stalled negotiations.
* The population figures are outdated and significantly higher than current estimates.
* The reconstruction cost estimate is outdated and lower than current assessments.
3. Breaking News check (as of January 15, 2026, 23:11:12 UTC):
* Major Development: Just hours ago (January 15, 2026, 21:00 UTC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a preliminary ruling in the case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide, but stopped short of ordering a full ceasefire
