Israel Strikes Gaza Desalination Plant Despite Ceasefire Agreement

The Israeli Defense Forces conducted airstrikes and ground operations across the Gaza Strip on August 24 and 25, 2026, destroying a recently built water desalination plant in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City. The military issued three separate evacuation orders for residential areas, including a block in the Al-Bureij refugee camp and a neighborhood north of the Al-Shati refugee camp.

These operations resulted in several Palestinian deaths, including two brothers in Deir al-Balah and a 10-year-old child in Khan Younis. The strikes also caused extensive damage to tents housing displaced civilians. These actions occurred despite a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10, 2025. The Gaza Government Media Office reports that Israel has committed 4,379 ceasefire violations, leading to more than 1,200 deaths.

The escalation follows threats from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and War Minister Israel Katz to conduct assassinations and evacuate neighborhoods. Reports suggest these threats were prompted by Palestinian children flying paper kites. In response to the violence, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Israel should not be striking in Gaza.