Weekly summary of the War on Gaza, February 21
- On Saturday, 25 Palestinians were retrieved from under the rubble of their homes and 12 others were injured, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023, to 48,291 and those injured to 111,749. However, at least 14,000 people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble or in areas inaccessible to rescuers.
- A total of 5 Palestinians were killed by Israel on Sunday:
- Three Palestinian police officers were killed by an Israeli airstrike to the east of Rafah, as they guarded aid trucks entering Gaza.
- A man named Imad Abuhamdi was killed by an Israeli drone strike to the east of Rafah.
- Another man named Ahmad Al-Afghani was killed after an explosive device left by Israel exploded in Khan Younis.
- Also on Sunday:
- 16 injured people left Gaza through the Rafah crossing for medical treatment.
- The bodies of 9 Palestinians were retrieved from under the rubble of their homes.
- 5 newly injured people arrived at Gaza’s hospitals.
- On Tuesday:
- Palestinian Mahmoud Tayyim was killed by Israeli fire near Al-Awda roundabout in Rafah.
- Another Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in Rafah near the Khawarzmi school.
- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the immediate enforcement of the UNRWA law, which passed the Knesset with broad support in October 2024 and called for ending UNRWA's operations in its territory and prohibiting Israeli authorities from having any contact with the agency. Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, said that the law will "increase the suffering of the Palestinians and are nothing less than collective punishment."
- On Wednesday:
- A Palestinian child was killed by Israeli fire in Rafah.
- Another Palestinian was killed by Israeli sniper fire in Al-Shujayia.
- The bodies of 22 Palestinians killed earlier by Israel were retrieved.
- Israeli forces only allowed 8 bulldozers and 30 caravans into Gaza this week.
- A number of schools in Gaza will open starting next week.
- Yesterday, Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages in coffins, purportedly killed by Israeli airstrikes during the genocide.
- Lastly, Israel dropped leaflets on Gaza, which quotes a verse from the Quran that reads “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” The leaflets also says: "To the honorable people of Gaza, After the events that have taken place, the temporary ceasefire, and before the implementation of Trump's mandatory plan—which will impose forced displacement upon you whether you accept it or not—we have decided to make one final appeal to those who wish to receive aid in exchange for cooperating with us. We will not hesitate for a moment to provide assistance. Reconsider your position. The world map will not change if all the people of Gaza cease to exist. No one will feel for you, and no one will ask about you. You have been left alone to face your inevitable fate. Iran cannot even protect itself, let alone protect you, and you have seen with your own eyes what has happened. Neither America nor Europe care about Gaza in any way. Even your Arab countries, which are now our allies, provide us with money and weapons while sending you only shrouds. There is little time left—the game is almost over. Whoever wishes to save themselves before it is too late, we are here, remaining until the end of time."
