Deadly Israeli Strikes Persist in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Violations

Attacks continue in violation of the October agreement, with more than 1,100 Palestinians killed since then.

Published On 16 Jul 202616 Jul 2026

At least five Palestinians have been killed in strikes throughout the blockaded Gaza Strip, underscoring Israel’s frequent breaches of the October ceasefire.

Palestinian health officials reported multiple air and artillery strikes across the enclave on Thursday, among them an Israeli airstrike in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City that resulted in two deaths.

A tent encampment for displaced Palestinians in western Gaza City was bombed, killing one person and injuring several others. Additionally, an Israeli tank strike in eastern Gaza City killed another individual, and a separate attack in Khan Younis resulted in the death of a fifth person.

These incidents underscore the limited compliance with the declared ceasefire.

Since Israel and Hamas signed a U.S.-brokered agreement to end hostilities, implementation has been minimal, casting doubt on its credibility. Israeli strikes have persisted, claiming over 1,100 Palestinian lives since the truce began. Humanitarian conditions remain dire, exacerbated by Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries, further breaching the ceasefire.

Jibril Khattab, who lost a relative during the truce, told Reuters that the cessation of hostilities constitutes an illusion.

‘No day or moment in Gaza has been free from conflict. This ceasefire is an illusion,’ Khattab asserted.

‘No location in Gaza is safe,’ he added.

Netanyahu’s fight for survival

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has stalled reconstruction efforts in Gaza despite the ceasefire. With elections scheduled for October 27, Netanyahu, the nation’s longest‑serving premier, faces the prospect of losing power. Analysts worry he may intensify attacks on Gaza to bolster his political standing.

Israel’s global reputation has been severely damaged during Netanyahu’s tenure, as allegations of war crimes in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran continue to mount.

Although Israel has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, Netanyahu has not succeeded in dismantling Hamas. Moreover, the conflict with Iran — reportedly drawing U.S. President Donald Trump into the fight — has precipitated worldwide economic difficulties.

Numerous analysts contend that the war has strategically strengthened Tehran rather than weakened it, while simultaneously highlighting growing divisions between the United States and Israel.

Rebuilding Gaza is projected to require at least a decade and over $70 billion. Reconstruction is unlikely to commence before Israel’s elections, and even after, it may be postponed by the next administration, given the absence of top Israeli political support for an independent Palestinian state or a concrete roadmap.

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