Palestine in February 2026: the most important developments in security
In Palestine in February 2026, security was dominated by Israeli strikes in Gaza that continued despite the ceasefire. Health officials reported at least 20 to 24 Palestinians killed on February 4, including in displacement camps in Rafah and Khan Younis. Further strikes reportedly killed more than a dozen people around February 15, nine on February 16, and at least seven on February 27. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas fighters, including men emerging from a tunnel, and announced it had concluded an operation in Rafah. The Rafah crossing reopened on February 2 for limited civilian movement under Israeli security control, after nearly two years, and Israel closed it again on February 28.
The dispute over Hamas weapons sharpened. On February 16 Israel gave Hamas 60 days to disarm or face a renewed military operation, and Hamas rejected the ultimatum. An Israeli minister said Israel would occupy the entire Gaza Strip if Hamas refused. A reported US plan would let Hamas keep some small arms, and a senior Hamas official said no formal proposal had been received. Indonesia said it was readying up to 8,000 troops, and on February 19 several countries pledged troops and training for Gaza security forces.
On February 28 Israel and the United States carried out strikes on Iranian targets. Iran targeted Israel and US bases in the region, with intercepted missile debris landing in Hebron and explosions reported in Jerusalem. Israel sealed off Gaza.
Smuggling into Gaza was a separate story. Bezalel Zini, brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini, was indicted for assisting the enemy in wartime over a cigarette smuggling ring, and twelve people in all were charged. A Shin Bet official was later charged with smuggling. Israeli forces also said they found more than 100 mortar shells and rockets in UNRWA bags.
In the West Bank, settlers set fire to at least two mosques and shot several Palestinians, while the Shin Bet said police were not assigning forces against Jewish terrorism. More than 100 Palestinians were detained after Ramadan began.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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