CAIRO/JERUSALEM – August 3, 2026(Nosheen): At least 18 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, Palestinian medical officials said, as renewed attacks continued despite diplomatic efforts to advance a ceasefire agreement. Israeli warplanes carried out strikes from early Sunday on several areas, including Gaza City in the north, Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, and Khan Younis in the south. Palestinian health officials described the attacks as the deadliest in several weeks. The latest escalation came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced progress in efforts to implement a previous ceasefire agreement, including claims that Hamas and other armed groups had agreed to disarm.
However, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, said there was no agreement to stop military operations in Gaza. He expressed skepticism over Hamas disarming and said Israel would seek full control of the enclave if the group refused to dismantle its military capabilities. “In the agreement signed with the United States, our position is that Hamas must be dismantled. This is the first thing that must happen,” Cohen said. A spokesperson for Netanyahu’s office also confirmed that Israel had raised concerns with Washington over the disarmament plan, stressing that no further steps could be taken until Hamas completely disarms.
According to Palestinian officials, Israeli strikes hit residential areas, tents housing displaced families, and other locations. Four people were reportedly killed in attacks on Deir al-Balah, while another strike in the Mawasi area near Khan Younis killed a couple and their 9-year-old son. Additional casualties were reported in Gaza City, Jabalia, and other areas. The Israeli military said some of the strikes targeted Hamas military operatives, including commanders from the group’s elite Nukhba force, and that it was reviewing reports of civilian casualties. Meanwhile, the U.S.-led Board of Peace, which is overseeing ceasefire efforts, issued a 15-point roadmap aimed at implementing the agreement. The board’s Gaza envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said efforts were continuing with mediators and regional partners to reduce tensions and create conditions for implementing the plan.
Gaza health authorities said at least 1,230 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire agreement was reached in October. Israeli authorities reported that four soldiers were killed during the same period. Hamas has maintained that Israel must stop its attacks and withdraw forces from Gaza before it considers handing over weapons to a new Palestinian governing body. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel of escalating attacks to undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. Former senior Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan said U.S. officials were continuing discussions with Israel to halt the attacks and ensure full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. The situation remains tense as international mediators continue efforts to bridge differences between Israel and Hamas and move toward a lasting resolution.