Israel Steps Up Gaza Strikes 35% as Military Warns Hamas Is Rearming
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 13
Israel Steps Up Gaza Strikes 35% as Military Warns Hamas Is Rearming
4 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 13
120 Palestinians, including eight women and 13 children, have been killed in Gaza since the Iran war pause on April 8, a 20% increase from the previous five weeks.
ACLED said Israeli attacks in Gaza rose 35% in April from March, while four Israeli defence officials told Reuters the military had warned the government that Hamas was rebuilding forces, weapons and control.
Israeli forces still occupy more than half of Gaza, and an officer said the ceasefire allows action against imminent threats; the military has drafted broader battle plans but has not been ordered to resume full fighting.
850 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have been killed since the October ceasefire, underscoring how efforts to turn the truce into a permanent settlement and reconstruction plan have stalled.
After the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, why is Hamas strengthening its grip on a devastated Gaza?
With 80% of buildings destroyed, can Gaza ever be rebuilt under military occupation and political deadlock?
With Trump's peace plan stalled and Gaza facing famine, is a permanent state of war now inevitable?
Gaza 2026: Humanitarian Emergency, Political Stalemate, and the Risks of Renewed Conflict
Overview
In April and May 2026, the Gaza Strip faced a sharp escalation of violence, with Israeli strikes, shelling, and gunfire hitting residential areas. These attacks caused civilian casualties and disrupted essential services, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. Many strikes targeted Hamas-controlled zones, but fighting near the armistice line also harmed both militants and civilians, including women and children. As a result, most of Gaza’s population remains displaced and exposed to poor living conditions, while movement and access to basic needs are severely restricted. This ongoing conflict has deepened the crisis and made daily life even more difficult for Gazans.