Kathmandu— In the wake of United States envoy Jared Kushner’s departure from talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel intensified attacks on the Gaza Strip and moved forward with expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, drawing international condemnation but limited concrete consequences. The escalation began within hours of Kushner leaving on August 17th, as Israeli strikes once again targeted residential areas in Gaza, with officials soon describing a return to pre-ceasefire engagement rules; meanwhile, plans for a large settlement project in East Jerusalem advanced despite widespread warnings about its impact on the possibility of a two-state solution. Hamas has accused Israel of violating agreements reached during Kushner’s visit, while Israeli authorities have defended their actions as necessary security measures.

Return to Hostilities in Gaza

Following Kushner's talks, which established working groups on disarmament and humanitarian issues but failed to resolve core disagreements over withdrawal and aid access, Israel resumed strikes on Gaza. A strike on a crowded cafe at the Gaza City port killed at least seven Palestinians, including a child, while another attack on a former police headquarters in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of nine people, including senior police officials and a 13-year-old girl. Hamas sources claim those killed in the latter strike were preparing for a weapons handover as part of President Trump’s peace plan.

The campaign continued throughout the week with drone strikes targeting alleged Hamas commanders in Deir el-Balah and Nuseirat. A particularly contentious incident involved Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordering the military to treat any kite, balloon, or drone launched from Gaza as “an act of war,” threatening further attacks and displacement after several landed in an Israeli border community.

West Bank Settlement Expansion

Alongside the escalation in Gaza, Israel has continued to advance its settlement project in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. On August 18th, a tender was issued for 1,234 units in the southern section of the E1 plan in occupied East Jerusalem, a long-frozen project that would effectively sever East Jerusalem from the West Bank. The move has drawn condemnation from several European nations, who warned of legal and reputational consequences for participants.

The United States, while reiterating its opposition to Israeli annexation of the West Bank, did not specifically name the E1 project in its response. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, however, publicly condemned settler violence and threatened sanctions against those besieging Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, even labeling some settlers as “terrorists.”

Escalating Violence Against Palestinians

Reports indicate a surge in violence perpetrated by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. Human Rights Watch reported that more Palestinians were displaced by settler attacks and demolitions in the first four months of 2026 than in all of 2025, accusing Israeli authorities of providing support and impunity to settlers. In al-Mughayyir, settlers overturned vehicles carrying families, injuring five people, and sealed the village’s only entrance.

Further incidents included attacks on homes in Sa’ir and Khallet al-Farra, resulting in deaths and injuries. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese described these attacks as “pogroms against defenceless civilians,” a characterization supported by experts who note their increasing alignment with the definition of pogroms. Israeli forces also killed two Palestinians during raids in Jenin and Askar al-Jadid refugee camp.

Humanitarian Concerns and Investigations

As of Monday, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported 1,288 casualties since the October “ceasefire,” with a cumulative toll of at least 73,422 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023. Israel announced investigations into the killings of five-year-old Hind Rajab and 15 medics in Rafah, but closed cases related to the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers.

The Hind Rajab Foundation expressed skepticism about the impartiality of Israel’s investigations, while the UK, Australia, and Canada called the WCK investigation closure “shameful.” Water pipelines supplying Bedouin communities in the Jordan Valley were also cut, placing hundreds at risk of displacement.

The situation remains volatile with ongoing violence and limited prospects for a lasting resolution. International pressure continues to mount on Israel regarding its actions in both Gaza and the West Bank, but concrete steps towards de-escalation remain elusive.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.