Daily Peace and Crisis Report

Compiled Friday, June 5, 2026

Summary

Middle East

Gaza Strip

Israeli strikes continued across the Gaza Strip on 4 June 2026, killing at least nine Palestinians overnight, according to local hospitals. Al Jazeera reported that strikes hit residential buildings in Gaza City, setting homes ablaze. Separately, Israeli forces killed a family of five and four others in additional strikes across the Strip on 5 June, according to local health officials. AFP

According to UNRWA Situation Report #224 (covering 26 May–2 June 2026), the cumulative death toll in Gaza since 7 October 2023 stands at 72,939 killed and 172,927 injured, per the Gaza Ministry of Health as reported by the Health Cluster. UNRWA has recorded 391 of its own colleagues killed in Gaza since the start of the war. The Israeli government has instructed its forces to expand military control to up to 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip; current control is estimated at approximately 65 per cent, including the so-called "Orange Area." UNRWA warned that further expansion would trigger large-scale displacement and severely constrain humanitarian access, with 126 UNRWA facilities already located within the Israeli-militarised zone.

Severe shortages of engine oil, tyres, and spare parts are placing life-saving humanitarian operations at risk. Approximately 25 per cent of UNRWA vehicles and 25 per cent of UNRWA generators are already out of service. A cyber-attack targeting the World Food Programme has exposed sensitive personal information belonging to approximately 600,000 Gaza households, according to The New Humanitarian.

Since the October 2025 ceasefire, Israeli military strikes have escalated, pushing the death toll since that ceasefire to nearly 900, according to the Gaza Health Ministry as cited by the New York Times. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment on reports that Israeli forces have seized approximately 70 per cent of Gaza when pressed at a Senate hearing. AP

West Bank

According to UNRWA, between 7 October 2023 and 18 May 2026, 1,098 Palestinians — at least 240 of them children — were killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. A Palestinian man was shot and killed by Israeli forces on 31 May near the West Bank Barrier at Ar Ram while attempting to enter East Jerusalem. Military closure orders against Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps were reportedly renewed until 31 July as part of operation "Iron Wall," ongoing since January 2025; more than 33,000 Palestine Refugees remain forcibly displaced from those camps and Jenin Camp. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for 2,162 new homes in the occupied West Bank. Al Jazeera

Lebanon

On 3–4 June, the United States announced a new ceasefire framework between Israel and Lebanon, agreed after a fourth round of US-mediated trilateral talks at the State Department. The agreement calls for a "complete cessation" of Hezbollah fire, the evacuation of Hezbollah operatives from south of the Litani River, and the creation of "pilot zones" under exclusive Lebanese Armed Forces control. PBS NewsHour / AP

However, the agreement's viability is immediately in doubt. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the deal, calling it "surrender and defeat," and Israel's Defence Minister stated that military operations in Lebanon would continue regardless. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the ceasefire would come into force within 24 hours of approval by all parties, but Hezbollah was not party to the talks. Al Jazeera

Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon continued on 4 June, targeting Kafra, al-Mansouri, Sohmor (one killed, four wounded), Tell al-Aqareb, Haddatha, Tibnin, Haris, Harin, and other towns and villages. More than 3,000 people have been killed and more than one million displaced since Israel renewed its assault on Lebanon in early March 2026. The previous April 16 ceasefire agreement has been widely regarded as having failed to halt Israeli attacks. Al Jazeera

Iran–US Diplomatic Situation and Gulf Tensions

The United States and Iran exchanged missile and drone attacks on 3 June as their fragile ceasefire — in place since the end of a conflict that began in late February 2026 — came under severe strain. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) struck Kuwait International Airport, killing at least one person and injuring 63, and forcing the airport's closure. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks as "blatant acts of aggression" that "violate international law." US CENTCOM intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones across the region, and conducted retaliatory "self-defence strikes" against an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. RFE/RL

Peace negotiations between the US and Iran, now entering their third month, have not produced a concrete agreement. The latest draft agreement, reported by US media, would extend the ceasefire by 60 days, call for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and establish a framework for renewed nuclear negotiations. However, President Trump has reportedly requested changes to the proposed terms, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the disposal of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi acknowledged talks were ongoing but warned against "speculation." RFE/RL

On 4 June, Iran indicated there had been no recent progress in talks with the US. Hezbollah's rejection of the Lebanon ceasefire framework further complicates the diplomatic picture, as Iran has made a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon a condition for any broader agreement. Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a proposal on Iran's nuclear programme, suggesting that Iran's highly enriched uranium be placed under IAEA control. Sky News

Eastern Europe

Russia–Ukraine Conflict

Russian forces killed at least 12 people and injured dozens across Ukraine in strikes on 4 June 2026. At least five were killed and 11 injured in Donetsk region, three killed and 21 injured in Kharkiv region, two killed and four injured in Sumy region, one killed and five injured in Dnipropetrovsk region, and one killed in Kherson region. The attacks destroyed or damaged 42 civilian objects, including 16 residential buildings, a medical institution, and an ambulance. Al Jazeera

The strikes came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published an open letter of more than 1,800 words to Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing a face-to-face meeting and a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations. Zelensky called for the meeting to take place in a neutral country such as Switzerland or Turkey. He argued that Ukraine was "ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations" and that "an attempt to establish real silence is the best way to begin talking to one another." He also warned Putin that if he did not "personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war," Ukraine would continue fighting. BBC

Putin, speaking to foreign journalists at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, said he was "certainly prepared and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine" but insisted on unspecified "compromises." He also raised his longstanding challenge to Zelensky's legitimacy, noting that Zelensky's presidential mandate expired in May 2024. The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the letter and said Putin would be briefed on it. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov subsequently stated that "Zelenskyy can come at any time to Moscow." BBC; RT (Rus)

The previous day, Ukrainian drones struck an oil complex and naval base in St Petersburg, Russia. Putin acknowledged the strikes, saying Russia must "improve" and "strengthen" its air defences. Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its forces had taken control of the village of Komsomolskoye in Zaporizhia region. In Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukrainian attacks killed four people in Simferopol, according to Moscow-backed officials, while Ukraine said it struck a fuel depot. Al Jazeera; Reuters

Zelensky also commemorated International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, stating that at least 707 Ukrainian children have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with thousands more wounded, abducted, or missing. Al Jazeera

According to the OHCHR Protection of Civilians report for April 2026 (the most recent monthly period), at least 238 civilians were killed and 1,404 injured in Ukraine in April 2026 — the highest monthly toll since July 2025. In the first four months of 2026, civilian casualties (815 killed; 4,174 injured) were 21 per cent higher than in the same period of 2025. The vast majority (96 per cent) of verified civilian casualties occurred in Government-controlled areas. OHCHR / ReliefWeb

Russia Matters reports that, as of May 2026, the Russian government claims 8,012 "peaceful residents" have been killed by Ukrainian strikes. The UN has verified 15,578 Ukrainian civilians killed since the start of the full-scale invasion. Russia Matters

Africa

Sudan

The conflict in Sudan has entered its fourth year, increasingly resembling a war of attrition between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with front lines largely hardened into a de facto territorial division. Hostilities have intensified in Kordofan and Darfur, with both sides making growing use of drones and other sophisticated weaponry. Security Council Report

MSF reported on 4 June 2026 that drone strikes attributed to the RSF near Tina, Sudan, close to the Chadian border, have intensified since early May. Since the beginning of May, 116 people wounded in these strikes were treated at Tiné Hospital in Chad, supported by MSF. Between 17 and 26 May alone, 69 wounded patients were admitted. On 24 May, a strike hit a busy cafeteria in Tina market, resulting in 35 wounded in a single day. Three people were declared dead on arrival, while several others reportedly died at the scene. Women and children were among the casualties. MSF described injuries as "extremely severe, including serious burns, blast-related trauma and multiple injuries." MSF

According to an IPC Acute Food Insecurity analysis published on 3 June 2026, approximately 19.5 million people (41 per cent of Sudan's population) face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) through May 2026. This includes around 135,000 people in catastrophic conditions (IPC Phase 5) characterised by extreme food shortages, critical levels of acute malnutrition, and an elevated risk of death. The IPC warned that for June–September 2026, the population in IPC Phase 5 is expected to increase from 135,000 to approximately 200,000 people in North and South Darfur. Fourteen areas across Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan remain at risk of famine. ReliefWeb / IPC

The UN Security Council is expected to receive a regular 120-day briefing on Sudan during June. Diplomatic efforts by the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, have continued across the region, but prospects for a breakthrough remain remote. OHCHR has warned that drone strikes accounted for at least 880 civilian deaths in Sudan between January and April 2026, representing more than 80 per cent of all conflict-related civilian fatalities recorded in that period. Security Council Report

Democratic Republic of Congo — Ebola Outbreak

As of 2 June 2026, the WHO reports 321 confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC and 116 suspected cases, with 48 confirmed deaths and more than 240 suspected deaths. Uganda has reported 9 cases and 1 death. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain, for which no approved vaccine exists. The US State Department confirmed on 3 June that it is providing $350 million through OCHA pooled funds to the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda for humanitarian assistance. ReliefWeb / WHO; US State Department

Asia

Myanmar

A major military offensive by more than 1,000 junta troops has triggered mass displacement along the border of Chin and Magway regions, with over 14,000 civilians forced to flee. The offensive is accompanied by a crippling aid blockade targeting the area. Mizzima (Myanmar opposition)

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing returned to Naypyidaw on 3 June following a five-day official state visit to India, where he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit drew sharp criticism from pro-democracy advocates and analysts, who described India's engagement as a "pragmatic embrace" that provides the junta with a diplomatic lifeline. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited "tremendous" Chinese influence in Myanmar during a congressional hearing on 4 June, while analysts note that both India and China are tightening their strategic grip on the country as the civil war continues. Mizzima (Myanmar opposition); The Irrawaddy

The junta continued aerial bombing in Sagaing Region, with a fighter jet strike on Thaminchan Village in Kani Township killing an 18-year-old man. In a separate incident, three migrants from Myanmar were killed and two others wounded after a drone linked to the civil war exploded in neighbouring Thailand. Mizzima (Myanmar opposition)

The International Crisis Group published a briefing on 2 June 2026 titled "Myanmar's New Administration: Military Consolidation, Not Transition," noting that five years after the coup, Min Aung Hlaing has overseen tightly staged elections transitioning him from junta leader to nominal president, without any genuine democratic transition. Beijing-brokered ceasefires with major armed groups in the north have eased pressure on the military, allowing redeployment to other theatres. Crisis Group

A separate explosion at a rebel-controlled warehouse in Namhkam, Northern Shan State, has left dozens of families struggling to recover. The explosion, which killed dozens, occurred when explosives stored by one of Myanmar's armed resistance groups detonated. Families displaced by the blast continue to face long-term recovery challenges. Reuters

Statistics

Table 1 — Casualties (Killed / Wounded)

* OHCHR access is denied to Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine; figures for civilians in occupied territory cannot be independently verified. The vast majority (96%) of verified civilian casualties occur in Government-controlled areas.

Table 2 — Numbers (non-casualty figures)