Israel builds earthen barrier inside Gaza as airstrikes kill civilians and Hamas commanders

In late July 2026, Israel began building a miles-long earthen barrier inside the Gaza Strip, according to satellite images and confirmation from the Israeli military. The IDF says the sand barrier is meant to divide the area it controls, entrenching a separation within Gaza.

Around the same time, Israeli airstrikes killed a family of six — parents and their four children — in Gaza, medics reported. Separately, the IDF and Shin Bet said they killed two Hamas commanders involved in the October 7 attacks who had held hostages. Gaza civil defense reported 12 total deaths from the strikes, including the family.