Palestine in May 2026: the most important developments in security
In May 2026, Israeli strikes on Hamas's military leadership in Gaza were the most reported security development in the Palestinian territories. On 16 May Israel said it had killed Ezzedin al-Haddad, head of Hamas's armed wing and a key architect of the 7 October attacks; a Hamas official later said the military chief had died. On 27 May Israel killed his newly appointed successor, Mohammed Awda, and Hamas confirmed his death. An Israeli strike the next day killed 10 people, including four children, according to local officials.
The fighting continued under a ceasefire that was fraying. Israel threatened to resume the war to force Hamas to disarm, and disarmament talks were reported stalled. On 17 May Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel held 60% of Gaza, and on 29 May he said he had directed the army to raise its control to 70%. Reports counted 890 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire began.
The Gaza aid flotilla was the second major story. Israel intercepted boats at the start of the month and again from 18 to 20 May off Cyprus, detaining hundreds of activists, and organizers said 41 vessels were stopped. A video posted by minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showed detainees kneeling with their hands bound and drew international condemnation. Israel deported hundreds of activists to Istanbul on 21 May. Freed activists from several countries alleged beatings and sexual abuse, and Israel said the interceptions were needed to keep supplies from Hamas. A land convoy to Gaza was dissolved in Libya on 30 May, with activists arrested at Sirte.
In the West Bank, the UN and other reports described intensified settler attacks on Palestinians and Israeli raids that killed several people. Two Israeli teenagers were wounded in a ramming attack on 31 May. A 300-page report published on 12 May documented widespread sexual violence by Hamas during the 7 October attack, and an independent commission issued a report on 28 May on the same attack.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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