16th February 2026
The stark contrast between death on the streets of Gaza and diplomacy in Washington DC has never been more visible. On a single Sunday, Israeli attacks killed at least 11 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip while former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce a staggering $5 billion pledge from his newly formed Board of Peace. The duality captures the bewildering reality of a conflict where ceasefire violations and reconstruction promises now run on parallel tracks.
The latest killings mark yet another breach of the US-brokered “ceasefire” that technically came into effect on October 10, 2025. But on the ground in Gaza, the word “ceasefire” has become painfully hollow.
What Actually Happened on Sunday
Medical sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that Israeli forces conducted multiple attacks across Gaza throughout Sunday. The violence wasn’t concentrated in one area it spread across the territory like wildfire.
Northern Gaza: Jabalia Refugee Camp
In the Jabalia refugee camp, one of Gaza’s most densely populated areas, Israeli forces targeted tents sheltering families who had already been displaced by the ongoing conflict. Hospital sources confirmed at least five people died at that location alone.
These weren’t military targets. These were families huddled in temporary shelters, believing they’d found relative safety.
Southern Gaza: Khan Younis
Meanwhile, in southern Khan Younis, separate attacks killed five additional Palestinians. The strikes appeared coordinated across different zones, hitting both the north and south almost simultaneously.
Gaza City: Targeted Killing
East of Gaza City, in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, sources confirmed that Israeli forces killed Sami al-Dahdouh, a commander with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). Unlike the other attacks targeting civilians, this one had a specific military objective.
| Location | Casualties | Target Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jabalia Refugee Camp | 5 killed | Displaced civilians in tents |
| Khan Younis | 5 killed | Civilian areas |
| Tal al-Hawa | 1 killed | PIJ commander |
The Numbers Tell a Darker Story
Here’s where the situation becomes truly troubling. Since that US-brokered “ceasefire” began on October 10, 2025, Gaza authorities have documented:
- 601 Palestinians killed (as of February 10, 2026)
- 1,607 Palestinians wounded
- At least 1,620 Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement
Israel, for its part, accuses Hamas of violating the agreement and reports that four of its soldiers have been killed during the same period.
Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson, didn’t mince words. He called Sunday’s attacks a “new massacre” and a “criminal escalation.” His statement cut to the heart of the matter: “This is a clear attempt to impose a bloody reality on the ground and send a message that all efforts and bodies concerned with establishing calm in Gaza are meaningless.“
The $5 Billion Board of Peace
Now pivot from the blood-soaked streets of Gaza to Washington DC, where Donald Trump announced the first meeting of his newly created Board of Peace will take place on Thursday.
What Is the Board of Peace?
Initially conceived as a mechanism to end Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza those are the words used in the Al Jazeera report the board has evolved into something much larger. Trump appears to be positioning it as an alternative to the United Nations, a way for the US to bypass traditional international bodies and broker peace deals directly.
Here’s what we know about the funding:
- Total pledged: More than $5 billion for rebuilding Gaza
- Personnel commitment: Thousands of people for an “International Stabilization Force” and local police to “maintain Security and Peace for Gazans“
- Membership fee: Countries reportedly need to pay $1 billion to join
Who’s Actually Joining?
This is where things get interesting. The United Arab Emirates appears to be the first country to step forward with its billion-dollar pledge. Kuwait may also be coming on board. That leaves three other countries whose identities remain unknown.
But here’s the catch several key US allies have reportedly declined to join. The board’s membership, at least publicly, remains thin.
Rosiland Jordan, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Washington DC, noted that “there are reports that the United Arab Emirates has been the first to step forward with this billion-dollar pledge. There are also reports that Kuwait may be coming on board.“
Trump’s Truth Social post made one thing crystal clear: “Hamas must uphold its commitment to Full and Immediate Demilitarization.“
The Contradiction That Defines This Moment
Stand back and look at what’s happening simultaneously:
On one track: Israeli forces continue killing Palestinians across Gaza. Tents housing displaced families are targeted. Children die. The ceasefire agreement is violated more than 1,600 times in four months.
On the other track: A former US president announces billions for reconstruction. Countries are asked to pay $1 billion for a seat at a new peace board. “Thousands of personnel” are promised to maintain security.
Hamas’s Qassem put it directly: The Board of Peace should pressure Israel to stop violating the ceasefire and “compel it to implement what was agreed upon without delay or manipulation.“
FAQs
No. According to Gaza authorities, Israel has committed at least 1,620 violations since October 10, 2025. Sunday’s attacks represent the latest breaches.
The UAE appears to be the first confirmed member with its $1 billion pledge. Kuwait may also join, with three other countries yet to be publicly identified.
The funds are designated for rebuilding war-shattered Gaza and supporting an International Stabilization Force and local police.
At least 601 Palestinians have been killed and 1,607 wounded between October 10, 2025 and February 10, 2026.
The Bottom Line
Here’s what you need to understand: The gap between diplomatic announcements and ground reality in Gaza has never been wider. Reconstruction funding of $5 billion has been pledged, yet funerals continue across affected areas. Meanwhile, a proposed Board of Peace prepares to meet as ceasefire violations keep rising. At the same time, reports suggest some countries may pay up to $1 billion for seats at a new diplomatic table, while families in Jabalia refugee camp continue to bury their loved ones.
Conclusion
The violence on Sunday wasn’t an anomaly it was the latest data point in a pattern that has now continued for four months under a supposed ceasefire. Whether the Board of Peace can bridge this gap, or whether it will become just another diplomatic initiative disconnected from reality, remains to be seen.
Official Source: Al Jazeera Original Report
Disclaimer: The news and information presented on our platform, Thriver Media, are curated from verified and authentic sources, including major news agencies and official channels.
Want more? Subscribe to Thriver Media and never miss a beat.
