Israeli airstrikes kill at least 13-17 Palestinians in Gaza despite Trump's announced ceasefire breakthrough

Aug 2, 2026

Israeli airstrikes killed between 13 and 17 Palestinians in Gaza on August 2, 2026, representing the largest daily death toll in weeks. The attacks occurred immediately after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough ceasefire roadmap. While Hamas agreed to disarm conditionally, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir rejected any halt to military operations, insisting on full disarmament and the continuation of targeted assassinations.

Gaza airstrikes amid ceasefire

▪The Israeli military stated that its airstrikes in Deir al-Balah targeted two commanders of Hamas' elite Nukhba force.
▪Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza for a second consecutive day on August 2, 2026, targeting Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis.

Palestinian civilian casualties

▪A strike on a house in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis killed a father, mother, and their nine-year-old son.
▪At least 1,230 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since a ceasefire agreement went into effect in October.
▪Israeli airstrikes on August 2, 2026, killed between 13 and 17 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip.

Trump ceasefire announcement

▪The U.S.-led Board of Peace published a 15-point roadmap on July 31, 2026, outlining final steps for implementing the ceasefire.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 30, 2026, a breakthrough in efforts to implement last year's Gaza ceasefire agreement.
▪Hamas agreed to disarm under the new U.S. initiative but maintains it will hand over weapons only after Israel halts military operations and withdraws.

Israeli targeting of residences

▪An Israeli airstrike on Al-Sousi Tower in western Gaza City killed Abdullah Abu Taif, his pregnant wife Abeer Anan, and their five-year-old son.
▪Israeli warplanes struck multiple residential buildings, apartments, and civilian gatherings over a 48-hour period without issuing prior warnings to residents.

Medical warehouse destruction

▪An Israeli airstrike on August 1, 2026, hit and destroyed medicine warehouses attached to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
▪Gaza Health Ministry Director-General Munir al-Bursh stated that the destruction of the medical warehouses damaged two facilities and completely destroyed two others.

Israel ceasefire non-compliance

▪Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir rejected the U.S. proposal and stated that Israel should continue assassinating Hamas leaders.
▪Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated on August 2, 2026, that there was no deal to halt attacks on Gaza.