Israel Conducts Strikes in Gaza and Lebanon Despite Ceasefires

The Israel Defense Forces conducted a series of airstrikes, drone attacks, and building demolitions across the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon between July 5 and July 7, 2026. These operations occurred despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas established in October 2025 and a framework agreement with Lebanon signed on June 26. In Gaza, strikes targeted a married couple in an apartment, fishermen off the coast, and a displacement tent in al-Mawasi. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that ceasefire violations have killed 1,072 Palestinians and injured 3,463 since the truce began.

In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces targeted the Al-Hariq neighborhood and Qantara with artillery and airstrikes. The Lebanese Health Ministry stated that operations since March 2, 2026, have killed 4,304 civilians and injured 12,203. U.S. envoy Nikolay Mladenov stated that both Israel and Hamas have violated the Gaza truce, while indirect talks regarding Hamas disarmament and Israeli military withdrawal remain deadlocked.

Separately, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the detention of physician Hussam Abu Safiya is arbitrary and violates international law. While the Israel Prison Service maintains that all prisoners receive lawful medical care, rights groups report that Abu Safiya is in critical condition after being abused at the Rakefet interrogation facility. The Supreme Court of Israel recently rejected an appeal for his release.