Epal European Palestinian Media Center Bulletin, Issue No. 2361, Date: Friday, February 20, 2026

1. Health Ministry: Two martyrs and 4 injuries arrived at Gaza hospitals within 24 hours

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip stated that two martyrs and four injured individuals arrived at hospitals during the past 24 hours as a result of the Israeli aggression.

The ministry said in a report that since the ceasefire on October 11, 2025, the total number of martyrs has reached 611, the total number of injuries 1,630, and the total number of bodies recovered 726.

According to the ministry, the overall toll of the Israeli aggression has risen to 72,069 martyrs and 171,728 injuries since October 7, 2023.

—

**2. UNRWA warns: The scale of humanitarian needs in Gaza exceeds what is available**

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned of the continued deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip amid restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, stressing that the scale of needs exceeds what it is currently able to provide.

The agency stated that humanitarian conditions remain extremely difficult, noting that it continues to operate and provide essential services to displaced people, including healthcare, education, shelter, food assistance, and protection services through its network across the Strip.

—

**3. MSF warns of a massive health vacuum if the organization leaves Gaza**

Despite Israeli authorities announcing a halt to its activities, the head of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) mission in the Palestinian territories, Philippe Ribeiro, said the organization will continue working in Gaza and the West Bank for as long as possible.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse from Amman, Ribeiro said: “We are still operating in Gaza and intend to continue our operations for as long as possible,” noting that the Israeli decision poses serious challenges to continuing work.

Israeli authorities had earlier announced the termination of all activities of the medical charity in Gaza and the occupied West Bank after it refused to provide a list of its Palestinian staff members without guarantees for their safety.

—

**4. Dozens suffer gas inhalation during Israeli raid on Beit Ummar in Hebron**

Dozens of citizens suffered suffocation after Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters during a raid on the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

Activist Mohammad Awad said Israeli forces stormed the town, deployed in its center, and forced shop owners to close, while firing sound bombs and toxic tear gas at residents, causing dozens of suffocation cases that were treated on site.

—

**5. #Video: Israeli forces demolish home of martyr in Hebron**

Watch: Footage documents the moment Israeli forces blew up the home of the family of martyr “Walid Sabarneh” in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

—

## *European*

**6. Swiss commentator denounces Israeli war crimes during participation of Israeli athlete in skiing competition**

A Swiss commentator supportive of Palestine received global praise from viewers after repeatedly reminding audiences of war crimes supported by and associated with the Israeli sled team competitor.

This incident occurred as Switzerland hosts several prominent winter sports competitions, including FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events in locations such as Wengen and Veysonnaz.

—

**7. European criminologists vote against Israeli academic complicity**

The European Society of Criminology voted by a 63% majority to issue statements condemning Israeli crimes against Palestinians.

The vote followed efforts by the “Criminologists for Palestine” campaign and included a decision to classify settlement universities as institutions located in occupied Palestinian territory.

—

**8. French association calls for boycott of Israeli-origin dates**

The France-based association “EuroPalestine” called for a boycott of dates sold in the country that are produced by Israel in occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank.

Olivia Zemor, president of EuroPalestine, told Anadolu Agency that most Medjool dates sold in France come from “illegal Israeli settlements or entities complicit with the occupation.”

She added that some packages indicate Jordan or Morocco as the country of origin, while in reality the products are Israeli. Volunteers are conducting awareness campaigns in major stores to inform consumers.

—

**9. Weekly solidarity vigil for Palestine outside U.S. Embassy in Dublin**

Activists continue to organize a weekly solidarity vigil in support of Palestine outside the U.S. Embassy in Dublin for the 104th consecutive week.

Participants call for an end to U.S. support for Israel and political accountability regarding the war in Gaza. Organizers stress the vigil is open to everyone and serves as a consistent peaceful expression of solidarity.

Irish activist Jimmy Cullen is among the prominent participants, alongside Arab and Irish community members and pro-Palestine groups in Dublin.

—

**10. #Video: Ongoing global demonstrations in support of Palestine**

Watch: Dozens of activists gathered outside the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo protesting Israel’s move toward implementing the death penalty against Palestinian prisoners.

Protesters raised solidarity banners and chanted slogans rejecting Israeli violations of human dignity. The protest included participation from the RISE initiative of Indigenous artists.

These actions are part of more than 50 upcoming global events under the slogans “Arms Embargo Now” and “Close the Loopholes,” organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement and Canada Against the War.

—

**11. “Filton 24” activists acquitted of robbery charges after targeting Israeli factory**

In Britain, all members of the “Filton 24” group were officially acquitted of aggravated burglary charges related to the Israeli arms company Elbit after prosecutors confirmed there was no evidence proving the crime.

Maddy Norman was released from Eastwood Park prison on bail after five others had already been freed, while Will and Ian were released from Wandsworth prison after 18 months in detention.

Activists described the moment as a victory for justice and support for Palestinian rights, calling for accountability for companies financing Israeli military actions.

The group had been detained since August 2024 after targeting an Elbit factory in Bristol and conducted a hunger strike to protest detention conditions and demand an end to British arms exports to Israel.

—

**12. Student calls at British university to hold Israeli professor accountable over Sabra and Shatila**

The student group City Action for Palestine and other activists called for continued protests at City St George’s University of London, emphasizing that accountability must continue.

They opposed the continued academic work of individuals accused of involvement in war crimes.

The presence of Israeli academic Michael Ben-Gad, a former Israeli army officer who served during the 1982 Lebanon War, which included the Sabra and Shatila massacre, sparked protests from students supporting the Palestinian cause.

—

**13. 150 political figures accuse French foreign minister of misrepresenting Albanese**

More than 150 political and diplomatic figures accused French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot of misinformation regarding statements by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

Members of the presidential camp accused Albanese of labeling Israel a “common enemy of humanity,” which she strongly denied, condemning what she described as false accusations and misrepresentation of her statements.

—

## *International*

**14. Skyline calls on Apple to freeze deal with Israeli company Q.ai**

The international human rights organization Skyline condemned Apple’s acquisition of Israeli startup Q.ai for $2 billion.

The organization said the deal represents a dangerous integration of military-linked personnel and technologies connected to serious human rights violations in Gaza.

Investigations revealed Q.ai was founded by former members of Israeli cyber warfare units, including Unit 81 and Unit 8200, allegedly involved in surveillance and targeting systems used in Gaza.

—

**15. United Nations warns of imminent risk of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank**

The United Nations expressed serious concerns about the risk of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the occupied West Bank amid escalating Israeli attacks, displacement, and forced transfers of Palestinian civilians.

A report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that patterns of intensive attacks, systematic destruction of neighborhoods, and blocking humanitarian aid suggest attempts to create permanent demographic changes in Gaza.

—

**16. American basketball star honors Gaza journalists**

Watch: Wearing a shirt that read “Press,” American basketball star Kyrie Irving honored Gaza journalists killed by Israel during the war, during the NBA All-Star Game.

—

**17. #Video: American Christian woman says, “I’d rather die than worship Israel”**

Watch: “I would rather die than worship Israel.”

American Catholic activist and former beauty queen Carrie Prejean Boller continues to challenge the Zionist lobby after being dismissed from a religious freedom commission following testimony in which she accused Israel of genocide.