Israel escalates Gaza attacks and expands military control to 60 percent of enclave
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Apr 26
Israel escalates Gaza attacks and expands military control to 60 percent of enclave
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Apr 26
At least 25 Palestinians were killed in the past week, including four in the last 24 hours, as Israeli forces advanced further into western Gaza and intensified strikes on police officers.
The escalation coincides with the paralysis of the US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which has been sidelined and isolated in Cairo, undermining reconstruction and governance efforts.
Aid deliveries remain far below agreed levels, and analysts argue Israel is using disarmament demands to justify ongoing occupation, leaving prospects for independent Palestinian administration and stability increasingly remote.
With a 'ghost government' in Cairo, is Israel's true goal to render Gaza permanently unlivable?
As targeted killings erase local leaders, what does 'disarmament' truly mean for Palestinian security?
Are 'beachfront skyscrapers' the face of a new 'disaster capitalism' project unfolding in Gaza?
Is the US-led 'Board of Peace' a blueprint for reconstruction or a new form of indefinite occupation?
Can Gaza build a sovereign economy while its finances are controlled by an outside board?
Why is the World Bank funding a plan that bypasses both Palestinian authorities and international law?
Gaza’s Humanitarian Catastrophe in 2026: Aid Blockade, Health System Collapse, and Political Deadlock
Overview
By mid-April 2026, Israel has established military control over nearly 60% of Gaza, enforcing a 37-kilometer 'yellow line' that divides the territory and restricts Palestinian movement. This has led to over 370 Palestinians killed for crossing the line and more than 2,400 ceasefire violations causing nearly 1,000 deaths and widespread injuries. The blockade severely limits aid, with only a fraction of needed supplies entering Gaza, fueling a fuel crisis that paralyzes essential services and triggers a public health disaster marked by disease outbreaks and malnutrition. Political deadlock, driven by Israeli opposition to Hamas's role and movement restrictions, stalls governance and reconstruction. Meanwhile, regional tensions and energy blockades heighten risks of broader conflict, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated international action.