Israel Continues Operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria Amid Ongoing War
As of Saturday, September 5, 2026, marking the 1065th day of the "War of Revival" (also known as "Swords of Iron"), Israel's military, the IDF, continues operations across multiple fronts. In the West Bank, IDF forces are active in Arab towns, including areas south of Tubas and near Ramallah, as well as in Jenin. In Gaza, a formal ceasefire is in effect, though the IDF maintains control over a buffer zone encompassing over 60% of the territory and conducts strikes against militants who violate the truce. The IDF also maintains a buffer zone in southern Lebanon and southwestern Syria, periodically striking targets and operating within those countries.
The "Swords of Iron" war began on October 7, 2023, with a large-scale Hamas attack from Gaza that involved rocket barrages and the infiltration of Israeli territory by thousands of militants. This attack resulted in the deaths of over a thousand civilians and hundreds of security personnel, with hundreds taken hostage. The conflict expanded to include Hezbollah launching rockets from Lebanon. The initial attack targeted a music festival near the Gaza border and several Israeli communities, leading to widespread casualties and hostage-taking.
Since the war's inception, Israel has experienced significant losses, with over 2,000 Israelis killed in the initial attacks and subsequent fighting. The IDF reports approximately 970 soldiers killed in action. In Gaza, an estimated 20,000 militants have been eliminated or captured, while around 10,000 Hezbollah militants have been killed in Lebanon. The conflict has also seen the elimination of key terrorist leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and Yahya Sinwar. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis were displaced from their homes in the north and south.
Humanitarian aid has been supplied to Gaza since October 2023, though Hamas is reported to have intercepted a significant portion. The Gaza Ministry of Health claims over 73,000 deaths and 174,000 injuries, though a Henry Jackson Society report questioned the accuracy of these figures, suggesting Hamas inflated casualty numbers. Approximately 1.7 million Gaza residents have been displaced, with many residing in shelters.
Earlier in 2026, from February 28 to April 8, a joint Israeli-American military operation targeted Iran. Concurrently, the IDF engaged Hezbollah in Lebanon, followed by a formal ceasefire, though regional hostilities persisted. The article notes ongoing diplomatic efforts, including a US, Qatar, and Egypt-mediated agreement in January 2025 for a hostage and prisoner exchange and ceasefire, which was later violated, leading to renewed IDF operations in Gaza. The conflict has also involved exchanges of fire with Iran and actions against Houthi targets in Yemen.
