Israeli drone strike kills 2 cyclists in Gaza as death toll mounts despite ceasefire

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, an Israeli drone strike killed two cyclists in eastern Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, according to hospital officials. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported the men were struck near the ceasefire line dividing Gaza. The hospital also received the body of a woman killed by Israeli gunfire in the central Maghazi refugee camp. These deaths occurred despite an October ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military has not yet responded to inquiries about the strikes but has stated that its forces respond to ceasefire violations or attacks on its soldiers.

Despite an ongoing ceasefire, the Israeli military killed four suspected militants in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Monday. According to the military, the armed men emerged from a tunnel and attacked Israeli troops, who then eliminated them. Israel described the incident as a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The military stated that its troops are continuing operations in the area to locate and eliminate other militants within the tunnel system. Violence has persisted in the Gaza Strip despite the truce, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violations.

Khaled Meshaal, Hamas's political leader abroad, stated at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha on February 8, 2026, that Hamas rejects disarming while Israel occupies Gaza. He argued that disarming Palestinians would make them vulnerable to Israeli aggression. Meshaal views calls for disarmament as a continuation of efforts to neutralize Palestinian resistance. He stated that a suitable environment for reconstruction and preventing renewed conflict is necessary before disarmament can be considered. The US, through mediators, has sought Hamas's disarmament as part of a ceasefire deal, but Hamas refuses to disarm while Israeli occupation continues. Despite a ceasefire agreement, Israel continues attacks in Gaza and refuses to withdraw from the "Yellow Line."

A news report published on February 8, 2026, states that the number of Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza exceeds the number of fighters killed. The Palestinian Ministry of Health maintains a list of confirmed deaths in Gaza. While Israel dismisses this list as Hamas propaganda, the Israeli military reportedly uses the same data. The report highlights a discrepancy between claims made by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the data regarding civilian casualties in the conflict. The location of these events is specifically within Gaza. The report aims to shed light on the scale of civilian deaths in the ongoing conflict.