News roundup for Sunday, August 2, 2026, Day 1,031 since Israel began its 2023 genocide on the Palestinian people.
Compilation of news reports – IAK staff
NEWS & HEADLINES FROM GAZA:
For some basic info on the Palestine-Israel conflict, go here. For more critical context, skim this, this, and this. To read about a remarkable but underreported, 20-month-long peaceful protest in Gaza against Israel, go here.
Israeli forces killed at least 19 Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday, despite US President Trump announcing a “monumental step” towards peace and security in the shattered enclave. Victims include three children, unborn baby.
The Israeli attacks caused the largest daily death toll in weeks.
New statistics on Israel’s actions in Gaza during “ceasefire”:
- Israeli forces have carried out 4,059 recorded violations, including 1,804 airstrikes and shelling attacks, 1,574 live-fire attacks, 170 military incursions, 430 home demolitions, and 81 detentions
- 62,545 trucks have entered Gaza – just 35.3% of the agreed total. Deliveries have averaged 212 trucks per day compared with the agreed 600.
- Fuel deliveries remain at only 15.2% of agreed levels.
- Israel continues providing misleading figures to mediators while refusing independent international monitoring.
Israel’s Smotrich Repeats Call for Netanyahu To Approve Establishment of Three Jewish Settlements in Gaza: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, has also said that Israel will establish three “Nachala outposts,” a type of settlement that starts as a community for IDF soldiers with the goal of establishing a permanent civilian presence.
*NOTE: The 2005 Gaza disengagement was part of a unilateral plan adopted by Israel without Palestinian input, but with the approval of the US. According to the plan, Israel would withdraw all 8,500 settlers from Gaza and 500 from isolated settlements deep inside the West Bank – relocating about 2% of the total number of settlers. Israeli troops left Gaza, while still controlling its coastline, borders, and airspace, and claiming the right to intervene militarily, including preemptively, in “self-defense.” In a sense, this represents a change in the form of military occupation from direct to indirect control.
Dov Weisglass, a close advisor of PM Ariel Sharon, stated in October 2004 that the plan was intended to postpone the creation of a Palestinian state indefinitely, and to relieve pressure on Israel to make further withdrawals from the West Bank.
Today, some Israeli groups are calling for Jews to return to Gaza.
DEATH TOLL – GAZA GENOCIDE (tentative):
- At least 1,250 since “ceasefire” began Oct. 11, 2025 (270 children). Children, women, and the elderly account for 35.3% of those killed and 49.1% of those wounded.
- 5 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began – one by friendly fire, and four others in incidents during the first three weeks of the ceasefire.
- 73,341 killed (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls) since October 2023
- More statistics below
NEWS & HEADLINES FROM THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK/EAST JERUSALEM:
Every day, Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem endure dozens of incidents like the ones below, at the hands of Israeli soldiers and/or settlers. For background on the West Bank, read this and this. For information on the significance of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, read this and this.)
Israeli settler gangs shoot 10-year old Palestinian child in latest West Bank pogrom: The youth was shot in the back. The terror gangs carried out additional attacks targeting Bedouin communities and their grazing areas.
Israeli occupiers hurl stones, spit toward Armenian church in occupied East Jerusalem: Jerusalem governorate published footage showing at least 5 occupiers spitting at church before throwing stones at building.
Israeli occupiers (i.e. settlers) cut power to West Bank town as army arrests 5 Palestinians
Israeli occupiers attack multiple West Bank villages, injure 2 Palestinians
Israeli Forces Shoot a Palestinian Young Man Near Ramallah
DEATH TOLL – WEST BANK/EAST JERUSALEM (tentative):
NEWS & HEADLINES FROM ISRAEL:
Israel is a tiny country, about the size of New Jersey, with a population smaller than the US state of Georgia – about 10 million (of which about 20 percent are Palestinians), yet it is in the news constantly. As has been demonstrated again and again, however, mainstream media rarely covers Israel news accurately. IAK gets the facts – sometimes from Israeli media sites, where we can get a glimpse inside this country that is rife with turmoil and contradictions, and that receives $63 million a day from America.
Palestinian child unconscious, faces possible foot amputation after Israeli detention: NGO: The 16-year-old detainee faced torture and starvation, underwent heart surgery, and now is on a ventilator and risks losing a foot. Despite the severity of his condition, he remained shackled to his bed throughout the period he was held at the hospital.
Ha’aretz reports that Mohammed was arrested in February on suspicion of throwing objects at Israeli security forces and was held at Ofer Military Prison ever since.
RELATED: Palestinian detainees face hunger, medical neglect at Israel’s Megiddo Prison
ISRAELI MEDIA: A Palestinian Doctor Held in an Israeli Prison Describes Medical Neglect, Beatings and Humiliation: Dr. Mazen Rantisi, 71, who is held in an incarceration facility for security detainees, described violence by guards, severe overcrowding, squalid hygiene conditions and food unfit to eat. The Prison Service: ‘The claims are untrue.’
Israeli authorities approve demolition of 14 buildings* in Palestinian village inside Israel**: Israeli authorities have reactivated demolition orders for 14 buildings in the Palestinian village of Deir Al-Asad in the Galilee, citing building permit violations. The demolition will affect dozens of families from the Arab minority.
*NOTE: Most home demolitions ordered by Israel are due to Palestinians’ “building without a permit.” Israel admits that its construction permit system is highly discriminatory. This is just one of many examples of Israel’s apartheid framework, which extends in various forms across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and inside Israel. Multiple human rights organizations have documented and reported that Israel is indeed practicing apartheid, including: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Israeli human rights groups B’Tselem and Yesh Din, and others.
**NOTE: This is just one of many examples of Israel’s apartheid framework, which extends in various forms across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, About 21 percent of Israel’s population is Palestinian, totaling some two million people. All are citizens of Israel. The Israeli government refers to them as “Arabs” or “Israeli Arabs,” but most members of this community self-identify as “Palestinian citizens of Israel.” Dozens of laws indirectly or directly discriminate against Palestinian citizens of Israel” (Palestinians living in East Jerusalem are not citizens, and have even fewer rights). Statistics show that they continue to face structural disadvantages. Read more about this population here.
Court freezes transfer of crocodiles to prison moat, putting Ben Gvir’s plan on hold: Following petition from animal rights group* against move to surround Ketziot Prison with Nile crocodiles, Jerusalem District Court gives state until Wednesday to respond.
*NOTE that the freeze was initiated in the interest of the crocodiles, not the Palestinian prisoners.
IRAN, LEBANON, & SYRIA – NEWS & HEADLINES:
It can not be overemphasized that Israel is the impetus behind US policies and actions vis-a-vis Iran. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing the US to attack Iran for decades, using lies and deception. Under President Trump, he got his wish.
Israel has invaded Lebanon seven times in the last half century. Between 1978 and 2000, Israel maintained an 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon — Hezbollah was formed to fight that occupation.
Although Israel is not at war with Syria, the Israeli army has reportedly carried out over 1,600 violations inside Syrian territory since August 2025, and demanded the demilitarization of southern Syria – but also vowed to permanently occupy some areas.
IRAN
NYT: Visuals Suggest U.S. Dropped 2,000-Pound Bomb on Home in Iran, Killing 3: The weapon, one of the largest in the U.S.’s arsenal, struck a house in a heavily populated area. The strike hit a densely populated neighborhood, and there was no indication of a military site in the area.
Trump again backs down from bombing Iran, claiming progress toward deal: Trump claimed that Iran had agreed to “the perimeters of a deal” that included the “Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT.” However, a source close to Iran’s negotiating team denied the reports.
Trump says US-Iran talks to begin Monday after shelving planned strike
Israel ‘left in dark’ on joint Iran attack, knew Trump’s decision to call off strike from social media: Report: ‘President Trump left us in the fog. Senior officers were updated about what was happening from Trump’s social media,’ senior Israeli official says.
LEBANON
Israel Claims Three Hezbollah Killed in Attack as Lebanon Destruction Continues
SYRIA
Israel Steps Up Southwest Syria Operations, Establishes New Checkpoints: Israeli forces entered the Quneitra Governorate again on Sunday, set up a new military checkpoint, and stopped and searched civilians and their vehicles. Israel reportedly conducted 64 ground infiltrations in the month of July – a figure that does not include the scores of drone overflights reported in the area as well.
DEATH TOLL – WARS ON IRAN & LEBANON (tentative):
- United States: 18 since Feb. 28, 2026
- Iran: at least 3,636 (1,701 civilians) since Feb. 28, 2026 (another source puts the number at 3,499)
- Lebanon: at least 4,333 people since March 2, 2026
- Arab states: at least 154 (including Palestine, excluding Lebanon)
- Israel: at least 60 people (Iran killed 20 civilians; Hezbollah killed 36 soldiers, 4 civilians)
MORE NEWS & HEADLINES:
How much has AIPAC spent against Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed? Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show that PACs have spent more than $54 million to help Stevens. AIPAC’s election arm, United Democracy Project (UDP), has spent north of $30M on the race as of Saturday evening.
ISRAELI MEDIA: Mamdani is antisemite* hiding behind fake smile, Israeli Consul-General Ofir Akunis says: “He is saying, I will ensure the security of the Jewish community in New York. How will you do it if you are saying that Israel is responsible for a genocide in Gaza?” Akunis said. “This is a disgusting lie, Mr. mayor. You know that there is no genocide in the Gaza Strip.”
*NOTE: Thanks to a yearslong program of indoctrination by pro-Israel organizations, the word “antisemitism” has taken on a new, distorted meaning that can include nearly all criticism of Israel – in other words, disapproval of the self-proclaimed “Jewish State” may be incorrectly labeled antisemitic. Actual antisemitism is not as prevalent as Israel partisans would like us to think.
Israel partisans are quick to label speakers of inconvenient truths antisemites – then dismiss those truths. When a human rights org publishes a report stating that Israel is committing genocide or apartheid, for example, or that Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal (as Mayor Mamdani did), Israel partisans generally accuse them of spreading disinformation, being antisemitic, or using a blood libel. What the accusers do not do is engage with the facts in the report to show mistakes or lies – because the reports are legitimate and documented.
This indoctrination and unfair labeling has been a major factor in Israel’s achievement of almost total impunity in the global community. Palestinians and supporters of Palestinian rights have been exposing this folly for years.
Why theater workers are boycotting the play ‘Birthright’: An explainer on why Theater Workers for a Ceasefire is calling for a boycott of the MCC Theater’s production of the play “Birthright” and the role of the arts in Israel’s ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people.
Comparing Israel to Nazi regime is not a criminal offense, German court rules: After Instagram user compared Israel’s actions to methods of Nazi regime, a higher court acquitted her of any wrongdoing, citing her right to freedom of speech.
ICYMI, A SELECTION OF YESTERDAY’S HEADLINES:
Israeli airstrike destroys medical warehouses near hospital in central Gaza
Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza has delivered anything but
ISRAELI MEDIA: They Fought Back Against Violent Settlers. Now They’re Branded as Terrorists
Israeli lawyer threatens to kill all Palestinians in occupied West Bank
U.S. general warns Pentagon he lacks sufficient forces to protect Israel
(Read yesterday’s daily update here.)
STATISTICS OCTOBER 7, 2023 – August 2, 2026*:
- At least 74,526 Palestinians killed, 187,009 injured – including:
- Gaza: at least 73,341 killed (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls), 174,086 injured. Children, women, and the elderly account for 35.3% of those killed and 49.1% of those wounded during the “ceasefire”
- West Bank/East Jerusalem: at least 1,185 killed (~251 children) since Oct. 7, 2023, 13,000 injured
*NOTE: Thousands of remains in Gaza have yet to be identified, and thousands more are still buried under rubble; others are reportedly missing.
Reported Israeli death toll from October 7, 2023 – August 2, 2026: ~1,663 – including ~1,139** on October 7, 2023 (~36 children), 472 military forces since the ground invasion began in Gaza, about 52 military and civilians (by one count, there have been 59 victims) in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel (these numbers do not include deaths from the conflicts with Lebanon or Iran).
**NOTE: It is unknown at this time how many of the deaths and injuries of Israelis on October 7 were caused by Israeli soldiers.
- Human rights reports on Israel-Palestine (regularly updated)
- Eliyahu, son of the Hebron massacre perpetrator, leads West Bank settlement expansion
- After Israel killed her three sons, she found hope in a newborn. Then he was killed too
- Israeli army detonates 700 tons of explosives near Lebanon’s historic Beaufort Castle
- Barry Goldwater Exposed the Power of the Israel Lobby in 1988
- Understanding Section 219
- Settler violence is state violence in the West Bank
- The Satanic Hazing Rituals of the IDF
- Israel Is Paying Millions to Train AI Chatbots How to Talk About Gaza. It’s Working.
- The Killing of Awdah Hathaleen: Beyond a Settler Crime
- Republican Voters are Turning against the Iran War
- Haley Stevens Is an Enemy of International Law
- Were the first Zionists Christian? A review.
- Ben Gvir’s crocodiles are the latest weapon in Israel’s animal warfare on Palestinians
