In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stab and injure a Palestinian herder in Khirbet Ibziq. Israeli settlers also assault Palestinians and vandalize their property during a raid in al-‘Awja. Israeli forces continue raids in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the 36th day in a row, blocking Palestinians from entering the camp. Israeli forces also raid Tulkarm, Tulkarm refugee camp, and Nur Shams refugee camp for the 30th day in a row. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raid Nablus, shooting and killing a Palestinian man, injuring 11 with live ammunition and several others with tear gas, and entering the Imam Ali Mosque, destroying doors and confiscating surveillance footage. Israeli forces also demolish a home in Kafr ad-Dik. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seize a bulldozer in Qibya. Israeli forces also arrest 10 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Tubas, Halhul, Fawwar refugee camp, Zababdeh, Yatma, and Jerusalem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 mobile homes in al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan. The mobile homes were inhabited by Palestinians whose homes were demolished 3 months ago. Israeli forces also demolish a home and agricultural structures and uproot trees in Isawiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolish a home in Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, 6 Palestinian children die due to cold weather. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb the Bekaa Valley, killing 2 people and injuring 2 others. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Kisweh and Deraa, targeting Syrian military bases and reportedly killing 2 people. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 2/25; AJ, AP, AP 2/26; UNOCHA 2/27)
More than 48,348 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,881 children and 12,749 women, and around 111,761 have been injured since 10/7/2023. In addition, 14,222 Palestinians who have been missing are presumed dead. 919 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 186 children. More than 6,500 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 408 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,579 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. 92% of all housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged since 10/7/2023. (AJ, UNOCHA 2/25)
Hamas says it has reached a deal to free the 620 Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to have been released on 2/22. The deal, which was made after a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya met with Egyptian officials in Cairo, will see the 620 Palestinians released in addition to the release of more women and children on 2/27 as Hamas hands over the bodies of 4 Israeli captives. (AJ, HA, REU 2/25; AJ, AP, HA 2/26)
The PA warns that Israel is planning to only allow 10,000 Palestinians a day to pray at the Haram al-Sharif compound during the month of Ramadan. (WAFA, WAFA 2/25)
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz orders the confiscation of PA funds that Israel alleges are used for payments to Palestinian prisoners, transferring the $131.5 million to Israeli “victims of terrorism and their families.” (HA 2/25)
At the UN Security Council, PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour says “Israel’s plan is clear in Gaza, in East Jerusalem, and in the rest of the West Bank. Get rid of Palestinian demography to seize Palestinian geography,” adding “it will never happen.” U.S. acting deputy ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea says, “any plan for reconstruing in Gaza must ensure Hamas is fully removed from power and held accountable for its October 7 terrorist massacre.” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says Israel must allow temporary shelters to enter Gaza, citing the deaths of 6 Palestinian children from hypothermia. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA 2/25; WAFA 2/26)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells AIPAC that Israel is fighting a war “between civilization and barbarism,” saying his goal is “total victory.” Netanyahu also says Israeli forces will remain in West Bank refugee camps “as long as necessary.” (HA 2/25)
Syrian community leaders meet to discuss the future of Syria with new government officials. A communique from the meeting says Israel must immediately withdraw from Syria. Israeli defense minister Katz says the attacks on Syria today are part of Israel’s new policy to demilitarize southern Syria. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT 2/25)
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid says Egypt should take responsibility for managing Gaza for 8-15 years in exchange for debt relief. (AJ, AP, HA 2/25)
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff says in a speech to the American Jewish Committee that the U.S. will host a summit with real estate developers to discuss the future of Gaza. Witkoff also says that Syria and Lebanon could normalize ties with Israel. Wifkoff announces that he will delay his visit to Israel scheduled for 2/26, saying he may travel to the Middle East on 3/2 depending on how the second stage ceasefire negotiations are going. (AJ, HA, HA 2/26)
U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee chairperson Brian Mast instructs committee staff to refer to the West Bank as “Judea and Samaria” in all official correspondence, communications, and documentation. (AX, HA 2/26)