Israel has confirmed the death of Abu Ubaida, spokesman for Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades, in a Gaza City airstrike on Saturday. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Ubaida was killed alongside at least 11 others, including women and children. Hamas denied the claim, calling it psychological warfare. Abu Ubaida, born Hudaifa al-Khalut, had been a symbolic figure since 2004, gaining prominence after the 2006 Gilad Shalit kidnapping. His last message warned that hostages faced the same risks in any Israeli assault.

Israel has declared Gaza City a “dangerous battlefield” as its forces escalate operations with heavy airstrikes and shelling, particularly in northern and eastern areas. The army ended a temporary humanitarian pause, warning of ongoing offensives against militant groups. UNRWA cautioned that up to one million people risk further displacement, while famine has already taken hold. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 63,000 Palestinians, amid a blockade that has crippled food, medicine, and essential services in Gaza.

At the UN Security Council, 14 of 15 member states—excluding the U.S.—held Israel responsible for Gaza’s famine. Representatives from the UK, France, Russia, and China issued strong statements against Tel Aviv. Heated exchanges broke out between Israel and Algeria’s envoys.
The Algerian delegate showed photos of malnourished Palestinian children and read a letter from slain journalist Mariam Abu Daggar to her son. Britain’s ambassador Barbara Woodward said, “For the first time in modern Middle Eastern history, famine has been recorded—entirely man-made.”
Israel countered that Palestinian child deaths were caused by illness, not malnutrition. U.S. envoy Dorothy Shea acknowledged Gaza’s hunger crisis but dismissed recent IPC reports as inaccurate.

Yemeni armed forces have claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Al-Lidd Airport in the Yaffa region of Israel, carried out with a Palestine-2 ballistic missile in retaliation for the blockade on Gaza.
Military spokesperson General Yahya Saree said the strike disrupted airport operations and forced “hundreds of thousands of occupying Jews” to flee to shelters. Declaring the attack a “religious and moral duty” to support Palestinians, Saree urged the Arab and Islamic world to take stronger action against the “genocide and blockade” in Gaza.
He added, “We stand with Gaza until the siege is lifted and the aggression ends.”

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched missiles at Israel, claiming the attacks are in protest against Israeli aggression in Palestine and in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
The Israeli military said one missile fired from Yemen was intercepted. The Houthis had previously halted attacks during a two-month truce in Gaza but resumed operations after Israel launched new offensives.
In response, Israel has carried out multiple airstrikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi-controlled ports and Sana’a airport. The recent bombardments caused heavy damage and civilian casualties in the capital.

Israel’s Chief of Defense, General Yaal Zamir, announced that a proposed agreement to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza is “on the table.” The matter now rests with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision. On August 19, Israel’s security cabinet submitted a new proposal via mediators, which Hamas has reportedly accepted. Despite this, Netanyahu remains intent on continuing military operations in Gaza. The Israeli government faces growing domestic pressure as families of hostages protest outside ministers’ residences, demanding an end to the war and immediate release of captives.

A group of young Israeli settlers has attempted to establish a new settlement in Syria’s Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, specifically in Quneitra province. This area falls under the 1974 disengagement agreement. Videos shared on social media show the settlers crossing the security barrier and pouring concrete in the village of Bir Ajam. The planned settlement was named “Neve Habashan.” Reports also note that since the Assad regime weakened, Israel has increased military posts and patrols in Quneitra and has carried out attacks across various Syrian provinces.

Israel witnessed nationwide strikes and protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza occupation plan. On Sunday, nearly half a million demonstrators gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, carrying Israeli flags and photos of hostages.

The rally, organized by the October Council, demanded the release of hostages held by Hamas and an immediate halt to Israel’s Gaza offensive. When protesters attempted to march toward Netanyahu’s residence, they were stopped by security forces, leading to at least 40 arrests.

The protests spread beyond Tel Aviv, with demonstrations reported in Jerusalem, Haifa, and nearly 300 other locations across the country.

Israel announced plans to forcibly evacuate Palestinians from Gaza City to the south, declaring the city a battlefield. The move follows its pledge to capture Gaza’s largest urban center. The army said the UN and aid groups would provide tents and shelters through the Kerem Shalom crossing, though the UN has not confirmed its role. Palestinian group Islamic Jihad condemned the plan as a crime against humanity. Recent Israeli air and tank strikes have intensified around Zeitoun and Shujaiya.

A month after Israel’s ‘Rising Lion’ operation against Iran, a Maccabi Healthcare survey finds that half of Israelis are struggling with insomnia, fatigue, fear, and anxiety. Around 16% report severe fatigue, while 30% feel they need mental health support. Children are also affected, with 25% of parents noting behavioral changes. Experts warn that prolonged stress and poor sleep are impacting daily life and physical health, emphasizing the need for monitoring, early intervention, and mental resilience measures.

Illegal Israeli settlers and military forces have forced 30 Palestinian families from the Al-Jahalin Bedouin community to leave their homes in Ain Ayoub, northwest of Ramallah in the West Bank. The settlers reportedly used intimidation, threats, and destruction of property to displace these families. Human rights groups call it systematic forced displacement. Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank have intensified, resulting in numerous casualties and displacements. The International Court of Justice recently declared Israeli settlements illegal.

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night, demanding an immediate halt to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages, in a powerful show of dissent against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to capture Gaza City.

Protesters chanted for peace and carried signs urging an end to the conflict, warning that continued fighting could endanger the lives of those held captive by Hamas.

“This is not just a military decision — it could be a death sentence for our loved ones,” said Lishai Miran Lavi, whose husband, Omri Miran, is among the hostages. She called on former U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene immediately to help broker a ceasefire.

Recent polls suggest a majority of Israelis now believe the war should end as soon as possible to secure the safe return of nearly 50 hostages still in Hamas custody. Opposition to Netanyahu’s plan is also growing among Western allies, not just within Israel.

Rami Dar, a 69-year-old retired resident attending the protest, accused the government of pursuing extremist policies. “The government is acting against the country’s best interests,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plan for a new Gaza military operation has sparked internal and international concern. The proposal to take control of Gaza City could lead to prolonged conflict, displacement of 800,000 residents, and increased Palestinian casualties. Despite warnings from military chiefs and hostages’ families, Netanyahu remains firm. Critics, including Britain’s Prime Minister, call for reconsideration. The ongoing conflict has already killed over 61,000 Palestinians and taken nearly 250 hostages, intensifying calls for a peaceful resolution.

Alon Liel, former Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, warns that Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City will intensify its international isolation. In an Al Jazeera interview, he noted many countries recognize Palestine while Israel moves in the opposite direction by ignoring global calls to end the conflict. Satellite images indicate Israel is amassing troops for a possible large-scale ground offensive near Gaza. Liel urges Israel’s allies to take a firm stand, stressing that international consensus could influence U.S. policy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that India used Israeli-supplied weapons, including the Barak-8 missile system and Harpy drones, during its recent Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The conflict followed a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsous, targeting Indian military sites. The 87-hour clash ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Netanyahu praised the performance of Israeli weapons, while Israel’s Mumbai consul called the Indian operation a defensive move. Arms deliveries to India continue despite the Gaza war.