Israeli strike reported to kill at least six in Gaza City

On 18 August 2026, an Israeli strike hit a cafe near the port in Gaza City and killed at least six people, including a child, according to medics and Gaza health officials. The Israeli military said it hit a meeting of elite Hamas commanders near the Gaza port. Other reports gave different figures: Al Arabiya reported nine dead in a strike on a police headquarters, El Universal reported seven dead, and WION reported five.

The strike came a day after a meeting between Kushner and Netanyahu, Reuters reported. Al Arabiya reported that Israel asked Kushner to begin disarming Hamas in specific areas. Smotrich called on Netanyahu to conquer Gaza under military rule and re-establish settlements. Footage showed the first members of the International Stabilization Force arriving in Gaza, and El Universal reported that Israel controls more than 65% of the Gaza Strip.