Gaza death toll hits 1,593 since US-brokered ceasefire as Israeli strikes continue

Key points

• At least four Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on November 2, 2026, with a fifth person dying from wounds sustained in a previous assault, according to medical sources and Wafa news agency.
• The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that 1,593 Palestinians have been killed and 5,748 wounded since the US-brokered ceasefire took effect in October 2025.
• Israeli forces conducted strikes in southern Khan Younis, central al-Musaddar, and northern Gaza City, with the military stating it targeted Palestinian fighters in three of the incidents.
• Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative of the US-established Board of Peace, arrived in Israel on November 2 to seek permission to bring in tents and accelerate reconstruction efforts.
• The UN migration agency reported that nearly two million people in Gaza require shelter assistance, with half of the existing tents and makeshift shelters needing replacement before winter.

Background

The ongoing violence in Gaza follows a US-brokered ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, which was intended to halt hostilities but has not prevented continued Israeli strikes. The conflict is part of a broader pattern of violence in the region, including recent incidents in the West Bank, such as the Hebron shooting and settler attacks on Palestinian homes, which have heightened tensions and drawn international condemnation. The current situation also occurs amid Israeli elections, where peace and diplomatic settlements have been largely absent from the debate, reflecting a focus on domestic security and personal blame rather than conflict resolution.

How outlets are covering it

Al Jazeera and BBC both report on the recent Israeli strikes in Gaza, but they differ in the number of casualties and the details of the attacks. Al Jazeera reports four deaths on November 2, with a fifth dying from earlier wounds, while BBC reports eight deaths, including a child, in a missile attack on a group of civilians in Gaza City. Al Jazeera cites medical sources and Wafa news agency, while BBC cites hospitals and the Hamas-run ministry of interior. The Israeli military, as reported by both outlets, claims to have targeted fighters but provides no further details or evidence. Al Jazeera emphasizes the humanitarian crisis and the efforts to provide winter shelter, while BBC highlights the ongoing nature of the war and the lack of a true ceasefire.

Why it matters

The continued violence in Gaza, despite a US-brokered ceasefire, underscores the fragility of peace efforts and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The high death toll and the need for winter shelter highlight the severe impact of the conflict on the civilian population. The involvement of international figures, such as Nickolay Mladenov, and the UN's reports on shelter needs indicate the scale of the humanitarian response required. The situation also reflects broader regional tensions and the lack of progress in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

What to watch

The focus will likely remain on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with efforts to provide winter shelter and accelerate reconstruction. The role of international figures, such as Nickolay Mladenov, and the UN's reports on shelter needs will be closely watched. The ongoing violence and the lack of a true ceasefire may lead to further international condemnation and diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict. The situation in Gaza will also be influenced by the broader regional tensions and the outcomes of Israeli elections, which have so far ignored peace and diplomatic settlements.