Gaza Strip

Israeli soldier St.-Sgt. Ofri Yafe killed by friendly fire in southern Gaza, IDF says

According to Israeli media, Yafe was hit by friendly fire during a nighttime operation by paratrooper forces in Khan Yunis on Tuesday night.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
St.-Sgt. Ofri Yafe.
AJ EDELMAN reacts after his second heat run in the 2-man bobsleigh event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

Israel condemns Swiss commentator's attempt to 'humiliate' athletes at Winter Olympics

The commentary noted that AJ Edelman had defined himself as a Zionist...adding that "one can therefore question his presence in Cortina during these Games."

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Finance Minister and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 16, 2026.

Smotrich announces intention to abolish Oslo Accords, dismantle PA during next term

Smotritch suggested the dismantling of the PA in favor of creating a new military administration to govern the area, with the ultimate aim of applying full Israeli sovereignty over the region.

|ByAVRAHAM BLOCH, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Palestinian woman shops as she prepares for the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026.

Israeli suppliers empty out inventories selling sweets, soft drinks to Gaza for Ramadan

A, a large candy manufacturer in Israel, told Walla on Monday that he had never seen such an influx of demand for his products as he is seeing now in the Gaza market. 

|ByLIAT RON

Hind Rajab Foundation asks US Justice Dept. to probe IDF veteran over alleged Gaza war crimes

The IDF veteran served as a combat engineer during the Israel-Hamas War and is due to speak at Boston University on Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByYOAV ETIEL
IDF combat engineer veteran holding a public event at Boston University. The Hind Rajab Foundation seek a criminal investigation, accusing him of war crimes in Gaza. Pictured in February 2026.

IDF confirms killing of top Islamic Jihad Gaza commander

Also on Wednesday, the IDF and Shin Bet announced the killing of Muhammad Issam Hassan al-Habil, who murdered IDF Cpl. Noa Marciano. 

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Profile of the terrorist Ali Raziana, who served as the Commander of the Northern Gaza Brigade in the Islamic Jihad terror organization.

Cost of cigarettes in Gaza skyrockets to NIS 100 amid smuggling operation scandal - report

"Sometimes the cost reaches thousands of shekels," a source told Walla, explaining that the skyrocketing cost is due to decreased supply and high demand. 

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
CIGARETTES ON display at a convenience store in Safed carry warnings that smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke and other harm to smokers and their children.

Human Rights researchers resign over ‘pulled’ report accusing Israel of 'crimes against humanity'

HRW said they concluded “aspects of the research and the factual basis for our legal conclusions needed to be strengthened to meet Human Rights Watch’s high standards.”

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
A Human Rights Watch flag is pictured on the Mont-Blanc bridge in Geneva, Switzerland, November 7, 2024.

IDF admits civilians likely killed in retaliatory strike on Hamas commander after soldier wounded

"The strike targeted the terrorist Bilal Abu Assi, a Hamas Nukhba Platoon Commander who led the infiltration into Kibbutz Nir Oz on the brutal October 7th massacre," the IDF stated.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Smoke rises from the Gath shelter, housing displaced Palestinians, after an Israeli air strike in the west of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip on January 31, 2026.

Palestinian women describe harsh questioning, 'journey of horror’ crossing back into Gaza

Of the 50 people waiting to leave Gaza, mostly for medical treatment, only five patients with seven relatives escorting them managed to cross into Egypt on Monday.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByREUTERS
A woman carrying a child boards a bus as Palestinians get ready to leave Gaza for treatment abroad through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, February 2, 2026.

Israelis divided on joining US pre-emptive strike on Iran, ending US military aid - IDI poll

Israelis are divided on Iran, US military aid, and Netanyahu’s role in Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace, according to a new Israel Democracy Institute survey.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Damage in the aftermath of an Iranian ballistic missile hitting a building in Bat Yam, June 29, 2025; illustrative.

Brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini suspected of smuggling cigarettes into Gaza

David Zini's father, Rabbi Yosef Zini, claimed that authorities' true target is not brother Bezalel, but the Shin Bet chief himself: "Most of the public understands this well."

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, SARAH BEN-NUN
Bezalel Zini, brother of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief David Zini, suspected of smuggling cigarettes into Gaza, February 3, 2026.

UNIFIL denounces IDF over chemical substance drops near Blue Line, despite military pre-warning

Meanwhile, the IDF carried out several airstrikes on Hezbollah terrorists and terror infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJAMES GENN
UNIFIL soldiers conducting operations in southern Lebanon, January 31, 2026; illustrative.

Head of new Gaza leadership Ali Shaath says Rafah Crossing opens 'window of hope' for Gazans

Israel fully reopened the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Monday for people on foot, a day after rolling out a limited, one-day pilot on Sunday to address potential logistical issues.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByMAYA ZANGER-NADIS
A Palestinian patient, accompanied by relatives, waits to leave Gaza for treatment abroad through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt after it was opened by Israel on Monday for a limited number of people, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, February 2, 2026.