Seham Tantesh

Swimming classes have resumed in five makeshift beach pools in Gaza built from sandbags and rubble by swimming coach Amjed Tantesh and volunteer instructors. About 700 children have attended six weeks of free and public classes, gaining respite, confidence and basic water safety amid trauma, displacement, disrupted education and continuing fear. The project especially supports children who lost parents or other relatives in Israeli attacks, while Tantesh also uses it to honour his brother Bahjat, who was killed during the war. He hopes to expand the programme to thousands of children if funding can be found to pay teachers and cover costs.

Journalist and swimming coach Amjed Tantesh has repeatedly rebuilt pools in Gaza to teach children to swim, despite their destruction in Israeli attacks. The latest war destroyed his most treasured pool and killed relatives, fellow coaches and former pupils, but he is now rebuilding five pools on the beach. The episode also examines how years of war and blockade have damaged the childhoods of hundreds of thousands of children across Gaza.

Palestinians in Gaza celebrated Spain’s World Cup victory because of the country’s support for Palestinian rights and the Spanish team’s public solidarity with Palestine. Fans gathered at cafes and outdoor screenings despite the risk of Israeli attacks, while limited electricity and internet access made it difficult for many residents to follow the tournament. Spain’s criticism of Israel and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s defense of Lamine Yamal further strengthened the team’s popularity in Gaza. Celebrations remained subdued because of continuing airstrikes, including a July attack that killed aid worker Mohamed al-Wahidi and three others while he was organizing a match screening.

Eyewitnesses and the Gaza truckers association accuse Israeli soldiers of killing aid driver Ahmad Esleem after his convoy stopped near the Philadelphi corridor. Drivers report being forced out of their vehicles, assaulted, and ordered to strip before Esleem was shot with his hands raised. The IDF confirms the incident but claims the shooting occurred after a driver ran toward troops and was perceived as a threat. The killing follows earlier alleged shootings of Palestinian aid drivers and ongoing dangers for workers transporting humanitarian supplies into Gaza. The truckers association is considering suspending operations amid escalating safety concerns and reports of coercion to smuggle contraband.

An Israeli missile strike in Gaza killed aid worker Mohamed al-Wahidi, who had organised World Cup match screenings, along with two young brothers and another man. The Israeli military said it was targeting a Hamas member and acknowledged civilian casualties were unintended. Witnesses described al-Wahidi’s community role and the circumstances of the attack. Another victim, Ahmed Daghmush, died from shrapnel wounds. The strike occurred amid ongoing Israeli military operations despite a ceasefire, with thousands of Palestinians killed since October 2023 and severe restrictions on reconstruction. A recent UN inquiry reported deliberate targeting of Palestinian children during the conflict.

Hamas announced its readiness to hand over governance of Gaza to the US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, though it refuses unilateral disarmament, a key demand of Israel and the US. The committee has been unable to enter Gaza due to Israeli restrictions, casting doubt on any transition. The move is viewed as an attempt to revive stalled peace efforts and counter Israeli proposals limiting reconstruction and governance to small controlled areas. The Board of Peace responded cautiously, insisting all weapons be consolidated under NCAG control. Analysts note Hamas aims to regain political initiative amid continued Israeli military control and political uncertainty ahead of Israeli elections, while international actors struggle to influence the US to uphold broader reconstruction plans for the entire territory.

Gaza’s national conservatory has resumed operations in makeshift tents after its facilities, instruments and archives were destroyed during the Israeli offensive. Teachers and students, many displaced and grieving losses, continue music education using salvaged or homemade instruments, emphasizing music as psychological relief amid ongoing shortages, restrictions and stalled reconstruction. Demand for lessons is high despite limited resources, and young musicians describe music as a vital refuge from the hardships of life in Gaza.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warns that slow recovery efforts in Gaza are increasing the likelihood that thousands of bodies buried under rubble will never be identified as decomposition accelerates and physical evidence deteriorates. Experts note that the absence of heavy machinery, restrictions on DNA testing materials, and possible displacement of remains by military activity further reduce identification chances. Gaza officials report more than 10,000 people buried beneath debris and more than 650 unidentified bodies stored in a designated cemetery. Families of the missing face psychological trauma and practical hardships due to the absence of confirmed death certificates. Israeli authorities have not approved the entry of equipment that could expedite recovery, leaving thousands still seeking information about missing relatives.

A viral video of seven-year-old Ayoub Junaid crying over his broken glasses has highlighted Gaza’s severe shortages in eye care caused by war damage, medical supply restrictions and the shutdown of key facilities. Although he received a replacement pair through donations, he still requires unavailable specialist surgery. Doctors report rising rates of untreated eye conditions amid widespread equipment shortages and dangerous living conditions. Thousands of children urgently need medical evacuation or care that cannot be provided locally. Israeli authorities deny restricting medical equipment entry into Gaza.

A Palestinian doctor, Hussam Abu Safiya, detained by Israeli forces for more than 500 days without charge, has been moved to solitary confinement in a maximum‑security prison. His family and Physicians for Human Rights Israel report severe detention conditions, untreated injuries and lack of due process under the unlawful combatants law. UN experts have called for his immediate release, and his lawyer has appealed, while several other Gaza doctors held without charge report worsening conditions. Israeli authorities declined to comment on his case, citing privacy and gag orders.

Widespread shortages of engine oil, gas and spare parts across Gaza are halting essential services, shutting down hospital operating rooms, crippling emergency response operations, reducing water production and disrupting bakery operations. Vehicle repairs have become nearly impossible, transportation has collapsed and families are increasingly dependent on firewood and waste for cooking. Prices of basic items have soared while Israel’s restrictions on fuel and equipment continue to deepen the humanitarian crisis, compounding the effects of mass displacement and infrastructure destruction.

Israel’s prime minister directed the military to expand control of Gaza to 70%, violating the US‑brokered ceasefire and intensifying an already severe humanitarian crisis. Israeli forces and allied militias have pushed further westward, displacing civilians and tightening restrictions in areas bordering the ceasefire’s demarcation line. Analysts warn the move nullifies the Trump peace framework and risks confining Gaza’s population to an uninhabitable area. UN monitoring reports detail continued military incursions and militia operations, while political actors signal the ceasefire framework has collapsed and alternative strategies are emerging for managing divided territories and future reconstruction.

Israeli strikes on water infrastructure and humanitarian workers in Gaza have intensified already severe shortages of clean water, contributing to rising disease and deteriorating sanitation. Restrictions on hygiene supplies, fuel and spare parts have hindered repairs to damaged facilities, leaving many families with only a few litres of water per day and forcing them to prioritise drinking over washing. Aid groups report escalating health problems linked to contamination, lack of sanitation and overcrowded shelters, while Israel denies imposing limits on equipment or water deliveries. Growing summer heat and failing sewage systems risk worsening the humanitarian crisis without substantial increases in aid and repair materials.

Israeli forces have steadily advanced the Gaza yellow line established under a US‑brokered ceasefire, expanding their zone of control beyond the original truce boundaries and creating new risks for civilians. The movement of concrete markers, construction of berms and fortified outposts, and the existence of an unmarked orange buffer zone have placed more Palestinian homes and UN facilities within areas treated as potential threat zones. UN officials and residents report increasing gunfire, demolitions and restrictions, with many civilian deaths occurring near the shifting demarcation. Israeli authorities defend the measures as necessary for security, while critics argue the changes entrench de facto annexation and intensify civilian danger.

Palestinians in Gaza continue to face severe hardship months after a ceasefire, with ongoing Israeli airstrikes, shortages of food, water and fuel, and worsening health conditions. Residents describe escalating prices and restricted access to essential supplies as attention shifts to the conflict involving Iran. Medical facilities lack basic diagnostic tools, and thousands of patients await treatment abroad. Aid agencies warn of failing infrastructure and limited entry points for supplies as fatalities and displacement continue to rise.

Israeli authorities closed the al-Aqsa mosque complex during Eid for the first time since 1967, citing security concerns related to the war with Iran. Palestinians condemned the closure as part of a broader strategy to tighten control over the holy site, with increased arrests, restrictions and settler incursions heightening tensions in Jerusalem. International bodies, including the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, denounced the move as a violation of religious rights and international law. In Gaza, Eid unfolded amid ongoing destruction, displacement and limited humanitarian access, with residents expressing grief, constrained joy and continued fear despite a partial ceasefire.

Israel’s closure of all Gaza crossings after launching attacks on Iran has sharply worsened food shortages, driving up prices and depleting aid stocks. Humanitarian groups warn that supplies may run out within days, with community kitchens and bakeries already struggling. Palestinians, recalling last year’s famine, rush to buy what little is available, though many lack the means. Aid organisations stress Israel’s legal obligation to ensure food flows into Gaza, while Cogat cites security concerns but promises limited reopening of one crossing. With no strategic reserves and disrupted supply chains, Gaza faces a renewed risk of widespread hunger as residents brace for further shortages.

Gaza faces severe unemployment of around 80 percent as the economy collapses following years of conflict, with residents struggling to afford basic necessities despite increased humanitarian aid. Fresh goods are available but unaffordable, and many displaced people rely on limited daily meals from aid groups. Former workers, including fishers and traders, describe mounting debt and despair as job opportunities vanish. Reconstruction promised under a ceasefire agreement has stalled due to political obstacles involving Israel, Hamas, and unresolved governance issues. Continued violence and rising prices leave families uncertain about their future and unable to secure steady income.

Australia plans to restore damaged graves of more than 250 Australian soldiers in Gaza after satellite images showed the Israel Defense Forces had bulldozed parts of the Commonwealth War Cemetery during military operations. The Australian government and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission expressed concern but noted repairs may take years due to ongoing conflict and lack of access. Witnesses described extensive bulldozing in 2025, while the IDF said defensive measures were required due to militant activity near the site. Australian veterans’ groups and historians highlighted the symbolic importance of the cemetery and called for eventual restoration once conditions allow.

Satellite images and witness accounts indicate that Israeli forces bulldozed sections of the Gaza war cemetery containing graves of British, Australian and other allied soldiers from the world wars. The Israel Defense Forces state the damage occurred during defensive operations in an active combat zone and that underground militant infrastructure was present in the area. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Royal British Legion acknowledge extensive destruction, including razed grave sections and damaged memorials. Local caretaker Essam Jaradah and military historian Peter Stanley describe the cultural and emotional significance of the site and highlight the impact of the conflict on the preservation of war graves.

Thousands of cancer patients in Gaza remain unable to access life‑saving treatment due to the Israeli blockade, the closure of evacuation routes, and the destruction of Gaza’s only cancer hospital. Patients and doctors describe extreme shortages of painkillers, diagnostic tools and chemotherapy drugs, while humanitarian organisations report that Israel continues to obstruct medical evacuations despite legal obligations. Individual cases, including young children and adults with advanced cancers, illustrate the deadly consequences of delayed or denied treatment. A rare court‑ordered evacuation of one patient offers limited hope amid widespread suffering, as families continue to endure displacement, bombardment and deteriorating health conditions.

An assessment by shelter specialists in Gaza found that thousands of tents supplied by China, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are not waterproof and fail to withstand winter storms, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians exposed. Only a fraction of tents entering Gaza since the ceasefire meet UN standards, with most aid bypassing international agencies under Israeli policy. Harsh weather has caused widespread damage, while Israeli restrictions on equipment hinder efforts to reinforce flood defences. Civilians describe severe living conditions, continued displacement, and lack of adequate shelter amid stalled progress toward the second phase of the US‑brokered ceasefire and ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli strikes and restrictive measures continue despite a declared ceasefire, resulting in ongoing civilian deaths and worsening humanitarian conditions for Palestinians confined to a reduced portion of Gaza. The Israeli‑imposed “yellow line” has solidified into a de facto partition, while reconstruction remains stalled and proposed international stabilisation plans lack clarity or political feasibility. Aid levels have increased but remain insufficient, with most Palestinians displaced, living in tents and facing severe sanitation risks. Critics warn that current international coordination risks entrenching an inhumane status quo, as residents continue to experience violence, deprivation and uncertainty with no signs of normal life returning.