Israel in January 2026: the most important developments in security
Israel's security agenda in January 2026 included the demolition of the UN refugee agency UNRWA's headquarters compound in East Jerusalem on 20 January. Israeli crews used bulldozers under a new law banning the agency's activities in Jerusalem, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir took part. UNRWA called it an unprecedented attack on its facilities, and the UN condemned the demolition. Fires were reported at the razed site on 25 and 26 January.
In Gaza, Israeli strikes and ground operations continued during the ceasefire that began in October. A strike on 15 January killed at least 10 people, including senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad figures. On 21 January a strike in central Gaza killed 11 people, including three journalists; the military said it targeted suspects piloting a drone for Hamas. Strikes on 31 January killed between 23 and 37 people, described as among the deadliest since October. On 26 January the military recovered the body of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in Gaza, and Israel said the Rafah crossing would reopen on 1 February. Israel acknowledged a Gaza death toll of about 70,000, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said reconstruction would not begin until Hamas disarms.
Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on 5, 6, 9, 11, 15, 19 and 30 January, saying it was responding to ceasefire violations. On 8 January the Lebanese army said it had disarmed Hezbollah in the south, which Israel called encouraging but insufficient, and on 18 January the military said it had completed its mission against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The UN peacekeeping mission reported Israeli tank fire near its personnel, and Lebanon's president accused Israel of systematic aggression.
In the West Bank, the military reported a 78% drop in Palestinian attacks in 2025 and a 27% rise in settler violence, and launched a multi-day operation in Hebron. Israel stayed on high alert over a possible US strike on Iran, while Iran threatened to strike Tel Aviv. The US approved a $5.7 billion sale of armored vehicles and helicopters to Israel.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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