After Kushner leaves, Israel intensifies Gaza strikes and expands settlements

U.S. envoy Jared Kushner concluded discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on August 17, establishing two working groups but leaving core disputes unresolved, notably Israel's refusal to pull back forces from Gaza and to permit reconstruction materials. Within hours, Israeli airstrikes resumed on densely populated zones, including a café at Gaza City’s port that killed at least seven Palestinians, among them a child, and the former police headquarters that killed at least nine, including senior police leaders and a 13-year-old girl.

Subsequent attacks targeted individuals Israel labeled as Hamas commanders in Nuseirat, Deir el-Balah and other locations. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz declared that any kite, balloon or drone launched from Gaza would be considered an act of war, leading to further civilian deaths, including a four-year-old boy. At the same time, Israel advanced the East 1 settlement project in occupied East Jerusalem by tendering more than 1,200 housing units, a move condemned by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway and several Arab states. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported 1,288 Palestinians killed and 4,290 wounded since the cease-fire, with the overall death toll since October 7 exceeding 73,422.