Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran: Israel’s tense security landscape

Despite the October ceasefire, violence is continuing in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and through Iran’s regional networks, underscoring how fragile and incomplete the truce remains.

While negotiations over Gaza’s “day after” are stalled, armed clashes, targeted assassinations and regional political manoeuvring have shaped a tense and volatile landscape.

Although a ceasefire formally took effect in early October, clashes between the IDF and Hamas have persisted, and humanitarian conditions remain dire. UNICEF reported on Friday that 280 Palestinians, including at least 67 children, have been killed by Israeli strikes since the truce began, mostly near the Yellow Linedividing Israeli-controlled eastern Gaza from the western area where Hamas is reasserting control. More than 4,000 children require urgent medical evacuation, according to the agency.

Over the past week, the fighting intensified. Heavy tank and armoured fire was reported east of Khan Younis, alongside at least ten airstrikes in the city’s southeast. In eastern Rafah, the IDF conducted a series of operations, including a major strike on Wednesday that killed six militants emerging from a tunnel, followed by ground forces eliminating four more inside a nearby building. Two suspects were arrested. The IDF says it is pushing deeper into Rafah’s tunnel network; over the past week alone, more than 20 militants were killed and eight arrested as they attempted to flee underground infrastructure. Additional cells were caught emerging from shafts on Tuesday and over the weekend.

The ongoing clashes prompted mixed messages from Hamas. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported that Hamas warned US envoy Steve Witkoff that the ceasefire “was over” unless fully mutual, declaring “Gaza will not become another Lebanon.” Hours later, Hamas denied issuing any such threat. A US official told Walla that Hamas “has not given up yet” but cannot absorb further Israeli attacks.