Israeli Strike Kills 2 in Sheikh Ajlin, Gaza City — Weekend Toll Reaches 26

An Israeli airstrike hit the Sheikh Ajlin neighborhood of Gaza City on August 3, 2026, killing two people — the first strike in nearly 24 hours, ending a brief lull that had prompted speculation about ceasefire progress. Separately, an Israeli missile struck a vehicle near a mosque southwest of Gaza City, killing two more Palestinian civilians. UN OCHA said dozens of children and civilians were killed in Israeli attacks over the August 1–2 weekend, bringing the two-day toll to 26 people including women and children. Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov, meeting Prime Minister Netanyahu the same day, said the strikes were undermining the disarmament framework; the Board's public position on IDF withdrawal also hardened, with a spokesperson saying withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line 'will take place only once decommissioning is complete' — a shift from earlier language describing withdrawal moving 'in lockstep' with Hamas disarmament.