Thursday, August 7th, live news on Middle East conflicts. According to The Jerusalem Post, protesters called for a halt to the IDF's expansion of operations in Gaza. They say this would endanger the lives of hostages still held by Hamas.

• 671 days have passed since the conflict in the Middle East began
• This new conflict began after October 7, 2023, in response, by Israel, to the attack of the terrorist group Hamas, which caused almost 1,200 deaths (including about 800 civilians) and the kidnapping of over 200 people
• Since then, the Israeli army, which decimated the leaders and structures of Hamas in the Strip, has killed over 61,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly civilians, almost half of whom were minors and children
• According to UNICEF, between attacks and blockades of humanitarian aid, removed from the management of the UN, an average of 28 children are killed every day

19:51|August 7

Hamas: Netanyahu aims to sacrifice hostages for his own interests

7:50 PM | August 7

Hamas: Israel's aggression will come at a painful price.

"The expansion of the aggression against our people will not be a walk in the park: the price will be high and painful," Hamas declared as the security cabinet is meeting to decide on the plan to conquer Gaza. Ynet reports. Netanyahu's words reveal the true motivations behind his withdrawal from the latest round of negotiations, despite the fact that we were close to a final agreement. His plans to expand the aggression demonstrate his aim to free the hostages and sacrifice them for his own personal interests."The expansion of the aggression against our people will not be a walk in the park," Hamas added.

7:37 PM | August 7

Netanyahu: Current strategy has failed to free hostages

The current strategy has not led to the release of the hostages, and we will not continue on this path. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said this during the ongoing security cabinet meeting, which is evaluating the possibility of a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli Channel 12. Netanyahu, addressing those present, also emphasized that he does not want Hamas to endure forever, but rather wants to defeat it.

7:31 PM | August 7

Lebanon: At least five killed in Israeli attack

Five people were killed in an Israeli attack in eastern Lebanon despite a ceasefire with the militant group Hezbollah, the government announced. The Israeli attack on Masnaa Road has caused a preliminary toll of five dead and ten wounded, the Lebanese Ministry of Health stated. The state news agency ANI reported that the attack hit a vehicle near a border crossing with Syria. The attack occurred while the Lebanese cabinet was meeting to discuss Hezbollah's disarmament.

6:05 PM | August 7

Netanyahu on Fox: We'll hand Gaza over to Arab forces

Israel wants to liberate Gaza from Hamas, not govern it:"We want to create a security perimeter and hand Gaza over to Arab forces who will govern it properly," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox.

Netanyahu's statements: We want to take control of the Gaza Strip but not govern it.

5:53 PM | August 7

Israeli Security Cabinet Meeting Begins

The Political and Security Cabinet is currently meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem to discuss the Gaza conquest plan. Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to request cabinet approval to order the IDF to fully occupy the Strip and for the cabinet to authorize him and Defense Minister Israel Katz to make decisions on the modalities of the occupation.

5:39 PM | August 7

Axios: US Does Not Support Israeli Annexation of Gaza

The Trump administration does not support Israel's annexation of parts of Gaza, Axios journalist Barak Ravid writes in X, citing a U.S. official.

5:32 PM | August 7

Netanyahu: We will not annex Gaza, there will be a civilian government.

Israel will not annex Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made this clear in today's interview with Fox News. We will not annex the Strip, he said. Gaza will be governed by a civilian government that has nothing to do with Hamas.

4:43 PM | August 7

Netanyahu: No to Gaza annexation if Hamas surrenders

Israel will not annex Gaza and will transfer its interim administration to a third party if Hamas surrenders its weapons and returns the hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made this statement to Indian broadcaster CNN18, Ynet reports, following a meeting with New Delhi's Ambassador, J.P. Singh. Netanyahu also emphasized the need to distinguish between innocent civilians and Hamas. The Israeli prime minister and the Indian ambassador, according to a statement, discussed expanding cooperation between the two countries, particularly on security and economic issues.

3:55 PM | August 7

TV: Child dies during aid airdrop on Khan Yunis

A child died in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, while trying to retrieve air-dropped humanitarian aid. Al-Jazeera reported the news, specifying that the news was released by Nasser Hospital. The Qatar-based TV station noted that United Nations agencies have long been warning about the risks associated with airdrops into the Palestinian enclave, calling them ineffective and dangerous. Much of the aid, in fact, ends up in dangerous or inaccessible areas, and people often crowd together to retrieve it.

2:29 PM | August 7

IDF Chief: Gaza Conquest Will Plunge Israel Into a Black Hole

During the 6 p.m. Security Cabinet meeting on the Gaza occupation plan, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir is expected to warn of risks, especially without a clear decision on what comes next, warning that the situation risks becoming more complicated. According to rumors in recent days, Zamir told his aides that the conquest of the Strip would drag Israel into a dark hole. The generals' plan calls for the encirclement of Gaza City and the central camps to isolate the territory and contain the fighting. Then: massive fire, targeted troop movements, and avoiding traps.

2:02 PM | August 7

Netanyahu's plan, a 4-5 month operation, 1 million displaced people

Ahead of the Security Cabinet meeting scheduled for 6:00 PM (5:00 PM Italian time) in Jerusalem, where the possible occupation of the Strip will be discussed, details of Netanyahu's plan are leaking from qualified sources. Channel 12 reports that the conquest of the enclave involves a gradual military operation over four to five months: the IDF will begin with the capture of Gaza City. Its inhabitants, approximately one million people (half of the Strip's residents), will be evacuated. This first-level logistical operation will last for weeks, during which temporary infrastructure will be built for the displaced, with the arrival of large amounts of aid.

1:24 PM | August 7

Suleiman Obeid, nicknamed the Palestinian Pele, was killed in Gaza while queuing for food.

(by Salvatore Riggio) Suleiman Obeid has died at the age of 41. He was one of the most talented Palestinian players between the 2000s and 2010s – so much so that he was nicknamed the Palestinian Pelé – and was killed yesterday, Wednesday 6 August. He was considered one of the legends of the team and was shot dead by the Israeli army while trying to recover food in the chaos of humanitarian aid to feed the local population in the Gaza Strip.
According to the
Palestine Football Association, this is the 662nd Palestinian athlete to die since the beginning of the war, while the victims are 321 among members of football associations, players, coaches, managers, referees as well as members of the board of directors of local teams.​

1:13 PM | August 7

IDF Chief, let us express our position without fear.

The culture of dissent is an integral part of the history of the people of Israel and represents a fundamental element in the organizational culture of the IDF.

We will continue to express our position fearlessly, objectively, independently, and professionally. We do not deal with theories, but with human lives and the defense of the state. Only its well-being and security are before our eyes, Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said this at the General Staff forum. It is the first official statement by the Chief of Staff following the disagreements with the political leadership over the Gaza occupation plan.

1:10 PM | August 7

El Al offices in Paris vandalized

The entrance to the Paris offices of Israel's national airline El Al was vandalized overnight with anti-Israel graffiti and red paint. Phrases such as"Free Palestine" and "El Al, a genocidal airline" appeared on the facade and the sidewalk in front. Israel strongly condemned the incident and called on the international community to respond decisively. The airline itself denounced the incident, stating that the incident occurred when the building was empty and none of its employees were at risk."I condemn this barbaric and violent act against El Al. I expect the French authorities to identify the culprits and take firm action," Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev commented on X. She then accused French President Emmanuel Macron of giving gifts to Hamas, referring to the Élysée Palace's announcement of its intention to recognize the State of Palestine.

1:09 PM | August 7

Palestine Action activists charged over demonstration in UK

Three activists have been charged by British authorities for demonstrating in support of Palestine Action, the first time this has happened since the highly controversial decision by Keir Starmer's Labour government to blacklist the solidarity group Pro-Pal. Two women and a man, aged between 53 and 71, Judit Murray, Fiona Maclean, and Jeremy Shippam, were arrested after participating in a protest in London on July 5th. They will now face charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2000. The news is set to spark renewed controversy over the banning of the organization, known for its civil disobedience actions and for, among other things, defacing military aircraft in a recent raid on a British base, but never involved in any acts of violence against individuals. Even more so considering that a new demonstration in support of Palestine Action, committed to denouncing the humanitarian emergency in Gaza blamed on Israel, is planned for Saturday in central London, with organizers expecting over 500 people to attend. Meanwhile, 52 international academics, writers, and activists, including Naomi Klein and Angela Davis, have signed a letter published by the Guardian calling on the British government to revoke the measures against Palestine Action, which they describe as an attack on fundamental freedoms.

12:39 PM | August 7

EU: Truckloads of aid authorized by Israel are not sufficient

The EU has been very clear on Gaza: the killing of civilians is indefensible. The word"genocide" is up to international courts to assess. A Commission spokesperson said this, commenting on Teresa Ribera's comments that what is happening closely resembles genocide. Yesterday, we updated the 27 on Israel's implementation of the aid agreement. There is partial progress, but the situation remains very difficult, the spokesperson added, adding that the number of aid trucks is insufficient and, at the same time, the EU has not been authorized access to Gaza.

12:38 PM | August 7

FAO: Only 1.5% of Gaza's agricultural land remains cultivable

Only 1.5% of Gaza's agricultural land is available for cultivation. In April, it was still 4%. The FAO reports this on its website. According to the UN food and agriculture agency, land available for cultivation is that which is accessible and undamaged. The FAO writes that as of July 28, 2025, 8.6% (1,301 hectares) of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip is still accessible, but only 1.5% (232 hectares) is accessible and undamaged. Another 12.4% of agricultural land (1,858 hectares) is undamaged, but is currently inaccessible, the FAO writes. 86.1% (12,962 hectares) of total agricultural land is damaged, the agency concludes. Land in Rafah, North Gaza, and almost all of the land in the Gaza Governorate is inaccessible.

11:36 AM | August 7

Israel, hostages' families head south by sea from Ashkelon

A flotilla led by the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons of Israel has departed from the port of Ashkelon in central Israel and is heading south, Israeli broadcaster i24 News reported, without providing further details.

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​This morning, the Forum of Families of Israeli Hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7, 2023, also called on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to continue opposing the plan to occupy the Gaza Strip."Do not allow our loved ones to be put in danger," the Forum said in an appeal to Zamir. The families of the hostages have called on IDF commanders at all levels to refrain from acting in a way that would endanger the hostages' lives and block the possibility of their bodies being returned. Israel's security cabinet is expected to meet this evening to decide on the occupation plan, which would aim to bring most of the Strip under IDF control, dismantling Hamas, and pressuring the hostages' return, following the collapse of settlement talks last month. The IDF has warned that such a move would endanger the hostages' lives.

10:48 AM | August 7

At least 22 Palestinians killed in Israeli air raids

The Palestinian news agency Wafa reports that at least 22 people were killed in the Gaza Strip overnight in several airstrikes carried out by Israeli forces across the territory. The airstrikes took place near the Nuseirat camp, in the center of the enclave, and in Khan Younis, in the south.

9:58 AM | August 7

IDF: Hamas looted humanitarian aid

The terrorist group in power in the Gaza Strip, Hamas, has looted humanitarian aid and opened fire on civilians trying to access it. This was stated by Major A., commander of the support company in the Shimshon battalion of the Kfir brigade of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), to the daily Walla. The officer added that his soldiers treated civilians wounded by Hamas gunfire. Given the shortcomings in aid distribution since management was handed over to the GHF (promoted by Israel and the US and strongly criticized by the UN), the international community has been given the green light for a few days to airdrop bags of food and other aid into Gaza. The GHF has been controlling the distribution since May 26th : since then, according to reports from the UN (which has been removed from management of the distribution), over a thousand Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire near the distribution centers.

8:57 AM | August 7

Israel's Gaza expansion plan would last 4-5 months

Israel could approve its plan to expand into vast new areas of the Gaza Strip this evening, potentially within five months, Israeli media reported. The move would displace approximately one million Palestinians and ignore warnings from senior military officials that it would endanger the lives of hostages held in those areas. The Times of Israel reportedly said the plan was aimed at destroying what remains of Hamas and pressuring it to release the 50 hostages still being held, about 20 of whom are alive, after recent settlement talks collapsed. The plan would begin with the capture of Gaza City and the camps in the central Strip, pushing about half of the enclave's population south, toward the Mawasi humanitarian zone. Despite some ministers potentially opposing the plan, several reports say that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at a meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. today, is likely to secure a majority within the high-level security cabinet to support the plan. The plan will reportedly initially focus on capturing Gaza City and expanding aid distribution centers in coordination with the United States.

8:44 AM | August 7

Media: 17 Palestinians killed by IDF in early hours today

The Israeli army killed at least 17 Palestinians in attacks in the early hours of today, Al Jazeera reported, citing medical sources in the besieged enclave. Specifically, an Israeli airstrike on an apartment in the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, killed at least four people, including a minor. In the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, north of Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike on an apartment killed at least three people, the Qatari broadcaster reported. A drone strike on a tent housing displaced Palestinians west of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, killed at least two women. An Israeli plane attacked a group of Palestinians in al-Ma'askar, west of Khan Younis, wounding several people.

8:35 AM | August 7

US Ambassador: GHF centers will operate day and night

Humanitarian aid centers in Gaza run by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) (h1), which has been heavily criticized by the UN, intend to begin operating around the clock as the operation aims to expand, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said today. The immediate plan is to increase the number of centers to 16 and begin operating them 24 hours a day to get more food to more people more efficiently, Huckabee told Fox News. The GHF centers, which replaced the UN ones, reducing the amount of available aid by about 90 percent, currently number four, which are difficult to access and operate only a few hours a day. They have been operating since the end of May, after more than two months of a total aid blockade imposed by Israel. The UN has certified that since they have been operational, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire near the centers, while they were waiting to receive humanitarian aid.

8:18 AM | August 7

Ribera (European Commission): The situation in Gaza is close to genocide; the EU cannot remain paralyzed.

What is happening in the Gaza Strip is very close to genocide. European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera said this in an interview with the European edition of Politico, in one of the strongest condemnations by a senior EU official since the start of the war in Gaza. Ribera stated that if it isn't genocide, it closely matches the definition used to describe it. The Spanish Socialist politician, currently the second-highest ranking figure in the Commission, spoke of a population targeted, murdered, forced to starve, without access to food, water, or medicine, underlining the absence of any humanity. Ribera proposed a way to overcome the impasse among member states, suggesting that countries opposed to measures against Israel could express their dissent by abstaining rather than vetoing. This approach, according to the vice-president, would allow the majority to proceed with measures such as suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement. We are faced with urgent humanitarian needs. We cannot remain paralyzed, Ribera said, advocating a formula of constructive non-objection to reach shared decisions. The vice president also questioned the actual improvement in humanitarian conditions in Gaza, as expressed by some German government officials: If we want to stop this famine, we have to flood Gaza with aid. I don't have the impression that we've reached that point.

6:02 AM | August 7

MSF: GHF centers in Gaza are sites of orchestrated killings

The food distribution centers of the US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) are sites of orchestrated murder and dehumanization and should be closed. This is according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which today published the results of a new investigation using medical data and testimonies from patients and professionals collected at two MSF clinics in the Gaza Strip. In the report, the organization highlights the selective and indiscriminate violence by Israeli forces and private American contractors against starving Palestinians in the centers operated by this group, authorized by Israel to distribute food in the Strip. MSF therefore calls for an end to this system of aid sharing, for the return of management to the United Nations, and calls on governments around the world, particularly the United States, to cease funding and supporting the GHF.

Aerial footage of Gaza: the devastation seen from above

6:01 AM | August 7

Hostage families march to say no to the occupation of Gaza

Hundreds of protesters, including the families of hostages still held in Gaza, marched through Tel Aviv to protest Israel's plan to expand the war by completely taking control of the Strip. According to The Jerusalem Post, protesters demanded a halt to the IDF's expansion of operations in Gaza, which they said would endanger the lives of hostages still held by Hamas. Clashes erupted during the demonstration with Israeli police, who forcibly removed Michel Illouz, the father of hostage Guy Illouz. Former hostages Yocheved Lifshitz and Ohad Ben-Ami also joined the protest, calling for continued negotiations for a comprehensive settlement for the hostages. The occupation of the Strip could lead to the loss of our loved ones' lives, they warned. Danny Miran, father of hostage Omri Miran, spoke at the protest and said,"I appeal to the cabinet members: the decision to occupy the Strip will mean certain death for my son." For her part, Ella Ben Ami, whose parents were both kidnapped and returned from captivity in a previous hostage deal, said,"Today the cabinet ministers will make a decision for the hostages who are still there. We saw Evyatar and Rom; they don't have another day. If the cabinet decides to sacrifice their lives, we will go mad," she said, referring to videos released by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad of the two hostages, who appeared visibly emaciated and severely affected by their long detention.

5:59 AM | August 7

Media: Attorney General invited to cabinet meeting on Gaza

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has been invited to attend today's key security cabinet meeting, which will discuss a plan for a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reports. Baharav-Miara was dismissed from the government last Monday, but the High Court immediately suspended implementation of the decision, specifying that her powers will remain in effect until a final ruling.

5:58 AM | August 6

The IDF claims to have carried out airstrikes against a number of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Wednesday evening. According to the army, the targets included weapons depots, rocket launchers, and sites used to store construction vehicles, which the terrorist group uses to restore its infrastructure. The terrorist organization Hezbollah continues its attempts to restore terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon, endangering Lebanese civilians and using them as human shields, the IDF states, adding that Hezbollah's presence of weapons and activity in the area constitute a violation of agreements between Israel and Lebanon.