Palestine in August 2026: the most important developments in politics
In the Palestinian territories in August 2026, the main development was the US-backed Gaza plan under the Board of Peace, announced on August 1, under which Hamas would disarm and Israel would withdraw. On August 5 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a withdrawal proposal until Hamas disarms, and between August 9 and 10 Israel rejected a 15-point plan that Hamas had accepted. US envoy Jared Kushner held rare direct talks with Hamas in Egypt and then met Netanyahu in Jerusalem on August 17; both agreed Hamas must disarm before an Israeli withdrawal, with a US general overseeing the transfer of weapons. Kushner said disarmament could begin within 30 days and that reconstruction would wait for it. On August 26 the Board of Peace said Hamas had agreed to disarm and give up governance, while its chief envoy warned of a "point of no return" if the truce collapses.
Israel faced international criticism over Gaza. On August 19 the Israeli military opened criminal investigations into the killings of six-year-old Hind Rajab and Palestinian rescue workers, admitting for the first time that its soldiers fired at her car. It cleared soldiers over the strike that killed Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom, and Australia summoned Israel's envoy. Qatar, Egypt and Turkey condemned Israeli strikes on August 4 and 20, saying they endanger the ceasefire.
In the West Bank, Israel opened tenders for housing in the E1 area, and the UK summoned Israel's envoy; six European leaders condemned the plan on August 21. Netanyahu vowed on August 26 a major expansion of settlements, and on August 29 called settler attacks on Palestinian villages criminal acts of violence. Washington and France condemned the siege of Palestinian homes in Qusra.
Palestinians prepared for their first elections in two decades, due in November. Hamas said on August 23 it would skip them.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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