Violence continues in Gaza, Lebanon, northern Israel and Kuwait despite U.S.-arranged ceasefires
Residents in multiple regions faced airstrikes, rockets and other attacks this week even as three U.S.-brokered truces remained in place. Israeli forces conducted strikes in Gaza and Lebanon while Hezbollah and Iranian forces also launched attacks.
jpost.comResidents of Gaza, south Lebanon, northern Israel and Kuwait came under fire this week even though U.S.-arranged ceasefires were reported to be in force. Israeli airstrikes hit targets in Gaza and Lebanon, where Israeli forces remained deployed. Hezbollah rockets struck northern Israel, and Iranian attacks targeted Kuwait's international airport.
The continued violence prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to comment on Wednesday that ceasefires in the Middle East involved "shooting in a more moderate manner" rather than a total halt in fighting.
Gaza ceasefire status The United States brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on October 10, 2025, ending major warfare. The agreement called for a halt to all fighting, the release of remaining hostages, the freeing of Palestinian prisoners, a phased Israeli withdrawal, increased aid and the opening of a crossing into Egypt.
All hostages were released, but the two sides dispute how much aid Israel has allowed in. Hamas has not agreed to disarm, no significant reconstruction has begun, and Israel says it wants to expand the territory it controls in Gaza. Israeli air strikes on Gaza have continued, killing more than 900 Palestinians since the truce including nine on Thursday.
Sporadic Palestinian militant attacks have killed four Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
Lebanon ceasefire status A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah was only partially implemented after fighting in 2024, with both sides accusing the other of violations. Open warfare resumed in March after war against Iran erupted, with Hezbollah firing into Israel and Israeli forces seizing areas of southern Lebanon.
U.S. officials announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon on April 16. Since then, Israeli strikes have killed hundreds of people, bringing the total toll to more than 3,500 since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities. Israel says 26 of its soldiers and four civilians have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since March.
On Wednesday, U.S. officials announced that Lebanon and Israel had agreed to implement a new ceasefire contingent on Hezbollah leaving southern areas. The group has rejected that plan and fighting has continued.
U.S.-Iran ceasefire status The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, seeking to destroy its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The United States announced a ceasefire with Iran in early April, with talks to follow on a lasting end to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the end of a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and a pathway to negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme.
Despite repeated rounds of indirect talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, there has been no fuller agreement yet. Meanwhile, the sides have repeatedly exchanged fire, with Iran also targeting Gulf states including Kuwait this week.
Factors affecting ceasefire durability All three deals have come unstuck in their first phase, with interim arrangements failing to move towards more lasting ceasefires. Combatants have been unwilling to accept concessions required to move beyond the first phase of transitional ceasefires.
" The diminishing influence of international bodies like the United Nations and the growing assertiveness of regional powers have also made it harder for long-term agreements to stick, he said.
