New attacks and competing disarmament demands threaten fragile US-backed efforts to advance Gaza peace.
Fresh violence in Gaza is testing an already fragile ceasefire just as Washington attempts to revive negotiations. Deadly Israeli strikes came shortly after US negotiator Jared Kushner met Israeli and Hamas leaders, exposing how far the parties remain from implementing a lasting settlement.
Deadly Strikes Hit Gaza
At least 10 people were killed in two Israeli strikes on August 19, according to local hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Israel said one strike near Nuseirat targeted a Hamas commander involved in the October 7, 2023 attack, while another in Gaza City’s Tuffah area targeted four Hamas militants allegedly preparing attacks against Israeli troops. Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry said the latter strike killed eight police officers and a 13-year-old girl.
Attacks Follow Kushner’s Diplomatic Mission
The strikes came just two days after Kushner held lengthy talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of renewed US efforts to move the ceasefire forward. Kushner had also met Hamas political leader Khalil Al-Hayya in Egypt, but his diplomatic mission ended without a breakthrough as both Israel and Hamas maintained their core demands.
Disarmament and Withdrawal Remain Major Obstacles
The central dispute remains the sequencing of Hamas’ disarmament and Israel’s military withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas has said disarmament should proceed if Israel stops its strikes and withdraws, with heavy weapons tied to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu has insisted Israeli forces will not withdraw from their current positions until Hamas is completely disarmed.
Ceasefire Has Failed to End Fatalities
Although the ceasefire introduced in October significantly reduced large-scale fighting, violence has continued. Gaza health officials say Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,273 people since the ceasefire, while the broader war has killed more than 73,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 people being abducted.
Renewed Violence Threatens Wider Peace Effort
The latest attacks underscore how vulnerable the US-backed process remains despite continued diplomacy. For Indonesians, developments in Gaza remain significant given Jakarta’s longstanding support for Palestinian statehood and humanitarian relief, while Singapore has repeatedly emphasized humanitarian assistance and a negotiated two-state solution. Continued instability also carries wider consequences for Southeast Asia through energy markets, shipping routes, diplomatic relations, and regional security concerns.
The latest Gaza strikes show that diplomatic activity alone has yet to resolve the fundamental disagreements blocking a durable settlement. Unless Israel and Hamas can bridge their competing demands over disarmament, withdrawal, and Gaza’s political future, renewed violence could continue undermining the ceasefire. For Indonesia and Singapore, meaningful progress remains important not only for humanitarian reasons but also for broader international and regional stability.
Sources: Asia One (2026) , Mainichi (2026)
Keywords: Gaza Ceasefire, Israel Gaza Strikes, Jared Kushner, Hamas Disarmament, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza Peace Talks
