Gaza Ceasefire Under Strain as Violence Resurges
Weeks after a US-brokered truce aimed to bring a sustained pause to fighting, violence has flared anew in the Gaza Strip, raising serious questions about the ceasefire’s viability. Recent Israeli airstrikes have resulted in a mounting Palestinian death toll, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
On Sunday, February 16, 2026, at least 12 Palestinians were killed and several injured in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to reports from the Guardian and Reuters. The Israeli military stated the strikes were a response to ceasefire violations by Hamas. The Gaza civil defence agency reported five deaths in Jabaliya, northern Gaza, after a strike hit a tent sheltering displaced people. Another five were killed in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, and one each in Gaza City and Beit Lahia.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused Israel of a “massacre” against displaced Palestinians, calling the strikes a serious breach of the ceasefire agreement. This accusation comes just days before the scheduled first meeting of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, adding another layer of complexity to the already fragile situation.
The escalating violence follows a period of limited progress, including the reopening of the Rafah border crossing for restricted movement of people. However, even this step forward has been hampered by delays, interrogations, and uncertainty regarding who would be permitted to cross, as noted in recent reports.
The recent strikes represent some of the highest death tolls since the ceasefire began in October. On February 4, 2026, a strike in Khan Younis resulted in the deaths of a father and his three children, along with three grandchildren, according to Nasser Hospital officials. Another strike on Saturday, February 7, 2026, killed three children, their aunt, and grandmother in Gaza City, according to Shifa Hospital director Mahamed Abu Selmiya. A separate strike on a police station in Gaza City on the same day killed at least 14 people, including officers and inmates.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) defended the strikes, stating they were carried out in response to Hamas activity and asserting that Hamas “systematically violate[s] international law, brutally exploiting civilian infrastructure and the Gazan population as human shields for terrorist activities.” The IDF added it would continue to act against any perceived violations of the ceasefire.
The violence is occurring despite the second phase of the US-brokered truce being in effect for several weeks. The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides trading accusations and the prospect of further escalation looming. Medical evacuees continue to be transported to a UAE-funded floating field hospital in El-Arish, Egypt, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian needs within Gaza.
As of February 17, 2026, the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain. The recent surge in violence underscores the deep-seated tensions and the challenges in achieving a lasting peace in the region. The international community is watching closely, hoping to prevent a further deterioration of the situation and a return to full-scale conflict.
