Israel strikes continue in Gaza

What's happened

Israeli forces have carried out repeated air and drone strikes across Gaza since mid-July, killing dozens of Palestinians, including families and children, and striking hospitals and tent camps. Gaza health authorities have reported more than 1,150 deaths since the October ceasefire; the UN rights office has warned civilians remain at acute risk and accused Israel of intensifying attacks.

What's behind the headline?

What is happening

• Israeli strikes have killed civilians across Gaza in recent weeks, including whole families and children, and have hit hospitals, tent camps and residential buildings. Reporters and Gaza health officials have recorded sustained casualties since mid-July.

Who is acting and why

• The Israeli military is carrying out targeted strikes it says aim at Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives implicated in the October 2023 attacks. Gaza health authorities and UN monitors are documenting civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure.

Strategic consequences

• The strikes will deepen Gaza's humanitarian crisis by reducing medical capacity and blocking reconstruction. Repeated attacks on hospitals and aid routes will force international agencies to scale back operations and will increase civilian mortality from treatable wounds and disease.

Political consequences

• The continued operations will increase pressure on mediators pushing the next phase of the US-backed plan, which requires Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. Failure to make visible progress will further stall negotiations and entrench Israeli control over larger parts of Gaza.

What happens next

• Expect further targeted strikes and more restrictions on aid access while diplomatic talks remain stalled. International criticism will grow, and humanitarian indicators will worsen, increasing calls for accountability and for third-party protection measures.

How we got here

A US-brokered ceasefire has been in force since October but has failed to stop near-daily Israeli strikes. Israel says it is targeting militants tied to the Oct 7, 2023 attacks; Gaza authorities report rising civilian casualties and expanding Israeli control inside the Strip.

Our analysis

Major outlets report the same pattern of strikes and civilian casualties but emphasise different details. Al Jazeera has repeatedly given on-the-ground casualty counts and named individual victims, for example describing strikes that killed a high school student in Khan Younis and reporting that a medic and a policeman have also died (Al Jazeera, 25–26 Jul). The BBC and The Times of Israel highlighted the July 21 apartment strike that killed five members of the al-Masri family; the BBC quoted a family member and noted the UN rights office condemnation, while The Times of Israel reproduced UN spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan saying “nowhere is safe for Palestinians in Gaza.” Independent and AP focused on strikes that hit funeral gatherings and tents sheltering displaced people, noting that the Israeli military has said it targeted militants and is investigating results. Several outlets cite Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry figures — more than 1,100 deaths since the October ceasefire — and the UN rights office’s verification of hundreds of deaths. Where sources diverge is in tone and emphasis: Israeli statements reported by outlets stress militant targets and occasional confirmations of strikes on weapons sites, while Gaza-based and UN-linked sources emphasise civilian harm and damage to health infrastructure. Direct quotes used include Al Jazeera’s reporting of relatives saying the family “were unable to save our grandchildren and children from the flames,” and the UN rights office warning that the killings "raise concerns of continuing violations of international humanitarian law," as quoted by the BBC and The Times of Israel.

Go deeper

• What has the UN rights office verified about specific strikes?
• How is aid access changing after recent attacks?
• Which hospitals remain operational in northern Gaza?

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