Gaza, Palestinian territories. Israel has escalated attacks in Gaza in the five weeks since halting joint bombing with the United States in Iran, redirecting its fire back to the enclave as Israeli officials say Hamas is tightening its grip. Data from Gaza’s Health Ministry and ACLED indicate an increase in deaths and strikes compared with the prior five weeks.
Casualties and reported rise in attacks
The Gaza Health Ministry said 120 Palestinians, including eight women and 13 children, were killed in Gaza since the Iran war was paused on April 8, a 20% increase from the five weeks prior.
ACLED, which tracks Israeli attacks in Gaza, said in a monthly report for April that Israel carried out 35% more attacks in April than in March.
Stalled progress on a wider plan
The increase in Israeli strikes has been cited as a sign of stalled progress under U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to halt the war in Gaza and begin reconstruction.
Lafi Al-Najjar, 36, a blind Palestinian whose son was killed on April 28 in an Israeli attack, said the war had not stopped in practice. Najjar said his family has been living in a tented camp in the ruins of Khan Younis, once Gaza’s second-largest city.
Israeli military position and officials’ assessments
The Israeli military did not immediately provide comment on the reasons for the stepped-up strikes in Gaza.
Four Israeli defence officials told Reuters that the military had warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in recent weeks that Hamas has been tightening its grip, rebuilding its forces and making weapons.
Another Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Gaza ceasefire allows Israel to act against imminent threats. The official said the military was prepared for any scenario, including having drawn up wider battle plans for a resumption of fighting in Gaza, though no order had yet been given.
Ceasefire terms and current control of territory
An agreement reached last October halted major fighting in Gaza after two years of war between Israel and Hamas. However, efforts have faltered to reach a permanent settlement that would withdraw Israeli troops, disarm militants and allow reconstruction.
Israeli forces still occupy more than half of Gaza’s territory, where they have demolished most remaining buildings and ordered all residents out.
What do you think would be required for steps toward a permanent settlement to resume?