politics
February 18, 2026
Israel’s Gaza ‘Ceasefire’ Death Toll Tops 600
More than 600 have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza despite a US backed ceasefire, Palestinian health officials have said
TL;DR
- Over 600 Palestinians killed and more than 1,600 injured in Gaza since a US-backed ceasefire started on October 11.
- Palestinian health officials report that many bodies remain unrecovered due to safety concerns.
- Israeli military states airstrikes are responses to Hamas ceasefire violations, carried out in accordance with international law.
- Most post-ceasefire killings occur along the 'Yellow Line', a designated no-go zone criticized by rights groups.
- Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace', designed to oversee Gaza's reconstruction and governance, is scheduled for its inaugural meeting.
- Hamas is willing to cede governance to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) but will not disarm without full Israeli withdrawal.
- Israel has accepted an invitation to join the Board of Peace, while several European nations have declined, and Russia is reviewing the proposal.
- The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas attack on Israel, leading to an Israeli military operation in Gaza.