In the West Bank, Israeli forces claimed to have found an explosive device near Nablus. Israeli forces also demolished a Palestinian-owned house and restaurant in Bayt Jala near Bethlehem. 25 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Abu Dis, Nablus, Jenin, and Salfit. In Gaza, 3 rockets were launched toward Israel, causing no damage. Later, Israel struck targets east of Bayt Lahiya allegedly belonging to Hamas; damage was reported but no injuries. Hamas later denied responsibility for the rockets launched. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces opened fired on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from the shore of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/26; PCHR 8/29; WAFA 9/3)
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced via Twitter that 300 new settlement units in the Dolev settlement would be sent for approval to the Planning Committee. Prime Minister Netanyahu also announced that Israel was cutting allowed oil imports to Gaza by 50% after rockets were fired at Israel. (HA, Twitter, WAFA 8/26)
It was reported by the Lebanese state-run media outlet National News Agency that Israel attacked a base for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command with 3 missiles in Qusaya in Northern Lebanon, causing damage to structures but no injuries. Lebanon’s president Michel Aoun also said of the Israeli strike against Hezbollah in Beirut on 8/25 that it was a declaration of war on Lebanon. (AJ, BBC, REU, WAFA 8/26; HA 8/27)
Iraqi president Barham Salih and prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi condemned Israel’s attack on Iraqi groups on 8/25, calling it an “attack on Iraqi sovereignty.” The U.S. Department of Defense issued a statement opposing Israel’s attacks in Iraq, saying that the U.S. supports Iraqi sovereignty and opposes “external actors” operating in Iraq. (HA 8/26; HA 8/27)