Compilation of news reports – IAK staff
(While a “ceasefire” is ostensibly in place, Israel has continued its assault on Gaza without interruption. If Americans Knew considers the war to be ongoing, and in its 844th day.)
Israel has killed at least 23 Palestinians, including 7 children, in attacks across the Gaza Strip in one of the deadliest days since an October “ceasefire” began.
Since the “ceasefire” began on October 11, Israel has killed at least 574 Palestinians (288 children, women, and elderly). At least 1,518 have been injured. Death toll figures are tentative.
At least 25 Palestinians in Gaza have died due to the extreme cold, including 21 children, since the start of Israel’s genocidal war in October 2023. At least 11 Palestinian children have died of extreme cold this winter.
Israel has so far violated the 11 October ceasefire deal in Gaza at least 1,520 times (as of Feb. 1, 2026). More statistics below.
GAZA NEWS & HEADLINES:
(For some basic info on the Palestine-Israel conflict, go here. For more critical context, skim this, this, and this. To read about a remarkable but underreported, 20-month-long peaceful protest in Gaza against Israel, go here.
A deadly meningitis outbreak is threatening Gaza’s children
Health authorities in Gaza estimate that around 22,000 wounded and sick patients are seeking to leave the enclave for treatment abroad, amid the near-collapse of the healthcare system due to Israel’s genocidal war.
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7-year-old Anwar al-Ashi reportedly died of kidney failure in Gaza after months of waiting for Israel to approve his medical evacuation. pic.twitter.com/XQBZcM9tdc
— AJ+ (@ajplus) February 4, 2026
Did Israel kill the wrong Muhammad?
The Israeli military has claimed its forces killed Muhammad al-Habil, a man it identified as the head of a Hamas unit responsible for the death of an Israeli soldier in Gaza, in an attack in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp earlier today.
WAFA news agency reported that Palestinian man was killed in the Shati refugee camp, but the report identified him as Muhammad al-Habil Hamada.
As Mohammed R. Mhawish from Gaza said, “This is what a ceasefire looks like when the international community settles for calling something peace because it’s technically less violent than what came before.”
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Israel hands over “human remains and organs”
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said that Israel had handed over the bodies of 54 Palestinians and 66 boxes containing “human remains and organs.’ The bodies and human remains were handed over by Israeli authorities to the Red Cross, and they will now be examined by medical teams in Gaza before being passed on to families in the enclave, the ministry said.
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Satellite images and witness testimony show destruction as IDF claims it was forced to take defensive measures.
NOTABLE QUOTE: Et tu, Human Rights Watch?
At times, some in the organization, driven by bias, pressure, politics, or cowardice, have tried to manipulate our findings on Israel-Palestine to arrive at their preferred outcomes. But throughout my tenure, the review process ensured we published the facts.
I can no longer say that…I have lost my faith in the integrity of how we do our work and our commitment to principled reporting on the facts and application of the law.
I think at the end of the day, senior leadership found it inconvenient to have a report that was focused on the right of return…
[The issue] remains the third rail in many ways, in progressive Western institutions, organizations like HRW, which have called the genocide, apartheid and ethnic cleansing, when it comes to the right of return, hesitate and in this case … willing to upend decades of human rights, watches, policies and practices because they were afraid of the consequences.
IRAN NEWS AND HEADLINES:
The Trump administration’s (and Democrats‘ – and previous administrations‘) desire for regime change and military weakening of Iran is wholly in the interests of Israel. The bad blood between the US and Iran is due in great part to American meddling. The cost – in both lives and tax dollars – of a war with Iran on Israel’s behalf could be staggering.
OCCUPIED WEST BANK/EAST JERUSALEM NEWS & HEADLINES:
(Every day, Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem endure dozens of incidents like the ones below, at the hands of Israeli soldiers and/or settlers. For background on the West Bank, read this and this. For information on the significance of Israeli settlers in the West Bank, read this and this.)
West Bank: Widespread Army Invasions and Abductions
Soldiers, Colonizers Injure Palestinians in the West Bank
Colonizers Destroy Crops, Cut Olive Trees Jordan Valley, Hebron
West Bank: Ongoing Invasions And Violations
Israeli Colonizers Invade Khirbet Samra
ISRAEL NEWS & HEADLINES:
(Israel is a tiny country, about the size of New Jersey, with a population smaller than the US state of Georgia – about 10 million (of which about 20 percent are Palestinians), yet it is in the news constantly. As has been demonstrated again and again, however, mainstream media rarely covers Israel accurately. IAK passes along only factual reporting.)
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange up nearly 100% since Gaza war
Foreign investors purchased local shares worth $1.27 billion last year, primarily of companies in the financial and defense sectors.
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Israeli army launches new incursion into Syria*’s Quneitra countryside
*NOTE: Although Israel is not at war with Syria, the Israeli army has carried out over 1,000 airstrikes and 400 cross-border raids on Syria since December 2024.
NEWS & HEADLINES FROM ISRAELI MEDIA:
(You can learn a lot about a country from its headlines. Get a glimpse inside this country that is rife with turmoil and contradictions that receives $63 million a day from America.)
IDF admits civilians were likely killed in retaliatory strike* on Hamas after soldier wounded
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, the IDF said, “In response to the blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement overnight (Wednesday), during which terrorists** opened fire at IDF troops in the northern Gaza Strip, and as a result, severely injured a reserve officer, the IDF struck a Hamas terrorist in the southern Gaza Strip earlier today.”
Responding to these reports on Wednesday afternoon, the IDF said it was, “aware of the claim that several uninvolved civilians, including a medical staff member, were hit in the strike. Prior to and during the strike, steps were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians as much as possible***, including the use of surveillance and precise munitions. The IDF regrets any harm caused to uninvolved civilians.”
*NOTE: This framing of Israel’s actions as “retaliatory” enables Israel to portray itself as the victim – although it has killed over 550 Palestinians since the “ceasefire” began.This is part of Israel’s perpetual use of “self-defense” as an excuse for attacking Palestinians.
**NOTE: The use of the word “terrorist” for an individual or group that resists occupation and oppression is a political, not fact-based choice. In reality, international law supports the efforts of resistance groups against an occupying power, the UN extending that right to the point of armed resistance. Additionally, Israel regularly labels Palestinians they have killed as “terrorists” to rationalize their deaths, whether they did anything threatening or not.
On October 7th, Hamas was exercising – albeit imperfectly – its internationally recognized right to resist the oppressor and occupier of its people. Hamas fighters attacked Israel after years of oppression and many nonviolent attempts to call attention to the injustice. The UN has passed hundreds of resolutions demanding justice – to no avail.
***NOTE: This statement is rich, coming from the Israeli military, which has violated the ceasefire at least 1,520 times by one count, killed over at least 574 Palestinians, and withheld food and shelter from the wartorn population.
The Israeli military admitted, and Israeli media has reported, that during at least one 2-month segment of the war, over 80% of those killed in Gaza were uninvolved civilians.
When Israel feels obliged to explain its airstrikes (often it doesn’t even bother), it makes essentially the same claims, “many steps were taken to reduce the chance of harming civilians,” and a note that it used “precise” munitions. (More here.)
Jerusalem Post adds this statement at the end of the article: “While many countries and global critics have accused Israel of systematically violating the October 2025 ceasefire, and killing over 550 Palestinians since then, including at least dozens or more civilians, Israel has said that Hamas tries to violate the ceasefire by attacking, or preparing attacks on Israel and the IDF on a daily basis.”
Arab [i.e. Palestinian] Israeli children attacked by Jewish yeshiva students during field trip, 13 hospitalized
According to Kamal Abu Younis, principal of Ibn Khaldun Elementary School in Sakhnin, a group of yeshiva students spat on the Sakhnin students, sprayed tear gas and pepper spray, and beat them.
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From Gaza to Iran, Israel readies space ‘surprises’ for next conflicts – exclusive
Israel’s space capabilities play a key role in the Jewish state’s strategic military capabilities, and now the space industry is moving toward dual-use and commercial roles as well.
EPSTEIN-ISRAEL NEWS & HEADLINES:
The Jeffrey Epstein saga expands every day with new anecdotes of intrigue, treachery, and depravity – one common, grossly underreported thread is the almost constant presence of Israel, Israeli, and pro-Israel players in Epstein’s orbit. Drop Site News and other independent outlets have covered this story well; If Americans Knew has shared their work consistently. With every new Epstein-Israel revelation, mainstream media falls farther behind, and truth takes a hit. For more headlines on Epstein’s deep connections to Israel see recent IAK Daily Update here, and check here.
FBI informant ‘became convinced’ Epstein was Israeli spy (so was Alan Dershowitz)
A US government document reportedly states that Epstein’s attorney, Alan Dershowitz, told then-US Attorney of the Southern District of Florida Alex Ocasta “that Epstein belonged to both U.S. and allied intelligence services.”
A confidential human source “shared phone calls between Dershowitz and Epstein during which he/she took notes. After these calls, Mossad would then call Dershowitz to debrief. Epstein was close to the former Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak (Barak) and trained as a spy under him,” the document says (continue reading here).
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Pro-Trump Billionaire on Gaza Board of Peace Linked to Jeffrey Epstein in Newly Released DOJ Files
Marc Rowan, a billionaire private equity founder appointed by Donald Trump to help oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, had multiple phone and email exchanges with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, according to newly released U.S. Justice Department documents. Rowan denies any business relationship with Epstein.
OTHER NEWS & HEADLINES:
Sen. Schumer: I Will Continue to Fight to Give Israel All the Aid It Needs*
“I will fight for aid to Israel. All the aid that Israel needs. I will continue to fight for it,” the Senate minority leader said on Saturday, adding, “As long as I’m in the Senate, this program will continue to grow from strength to strength, and we won’t let anyone attack it or undo it.” He went on to refer to Israel aid as his “baby.”
*NOTE: For details on how much military aid the US gives to Israel, read this.
NY Sen. C. Schumer (not up for re-election till Jan 2029):
“We delivered more security assistance to Israel, our ally, under my leadership than ever, ever before. We will keep doing that… I have many jobs as leader & one is to fight for aid to Israel.”pic.twitter.com/ciwtO7aSMQ
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) February 1, 2026
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AIPAC Donors Flood Last-Minute New Jersey House Pick With Cash
AIPAC’s super PAC, United Democracy Project (UDP), has spent more $2.3 million on ads against NJ incumbent Tom Malinowski. Malinowski had fallen afoul of the group’s policy priorities by discussing the possibility of conditioning aid to Israel.
“It’s our goal to build the largest bipartisan pro-Israel majority in Congress. There are several candidates in this race far more pro-Israel than Tom Malinowski,” UDP head Patrick Dorton said (continue reading here).
*NOTE: AIPAC, which by law should be registered as a foreign agent, is on a mission to keep Congress filled with the best pro-Israel legislators that money can buy. The group “babysits” each Congress member that has accepted AIPAC donations, to make sure they vote for any bill that helps Israel. AIPAC is often deeply involved in political campaigns, giving money to candidates on both sides of the aisle.
Public opinion in the U.S. is shifting away from support for Israel but few politicians seem to notice, choosing to obey their babysitter, instead of their constituents.
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Hind Rajab Foundation* files complaint in US court targeting Israeli citizen over Gaza war crimes
The complaint invokes the War Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. §2441) and the Genocide Statute (18 U.S.C. §1091), which grants US courts jurisdiction over individuals present on US territory who are credibly accused of committing international crimes abroad. According to HRF, “jurisdiction is not discretionary: presence activates responsibility.”
*NOTE: The Hind Rajab Foundation is a branch of the March 30 Movement mainly dedicated to the quest for justice in response to the crimes against humanity, war crimes and human rights violations perpetrated by the Israeli state against Palestinians. Established during the ongoing Gaza genocide, the foundation honors the memory of Hind Rajab and all those who have perished or suffered under the Israeli genocidal campaign.
ICYMI, A SELECTION OF YESTERDAY’S HEADLINES:
Blindfolded, beaten, humiliated: How Israeli forces abused Palestinians returning to Gaza
Occupation Forces Kill One, Injure Others in Jericho
Palestinian prisoner dies a week after release from Israeli jail
In talks with Jeffrey Epstein, former Israeli PM proposed racially selective conversions to preserve Jewish majority
(Read yesterday’s daily update here.)
STATISTICS OCTOBER 7, 2023 – FEBRUARY 4, 2026*:
- At least 72,963 Palestinians killed, 182,626 injured – including:
- At least 71,851 killed in Gaza (~22,000 children, 33,000 women and girls)
- At least 1,112 killed in the West Bank (~230 children)
- At least 171,626 injured in Gaza
- About 11,000 injured in the West Bank
*NOTE: Thousands of those killed in Gaza have yet to be identified, and an estimated 10,000 more are still buried under rubble. Additionally, the numbers of injured and starved are very conservative estimates. Only the dead who are brought to hospitals are included in the official fatality count.
Reported Israeli death toll from October 7, 2023 – February 4, 2026: ~1,661 – including ~1,139** on October 7, 2023 (~36 children), 471 military forces since the ground invasion began in Gaza, about 52 military and civilians (by one count, there have been 59 victims) in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel.
By one count, Israeli attacks have killed approximately 281 Palestinian journalists and media workers (as of Jan. 21, 2026); Palestinians have killed 4 Israeli journalists (other groups have tallied between 215 and 333 Palestinian journalists killed – depending on the criteria used).
**NOTE: It is unknown at this time how many of the deaths and injuries of Israelis on October 7 were caused by Israeli soldiers.
- Human rights reports on Israel-Palestine (regularly updated)
- U.S. Envoys Refused to Report “Apocalyptic” Conditions in Gaza. Exclusive Photos Show the Reality They Suppressed
- The Truth About Gaza’s Dead – Part 1: How We Got Here
- They were forced to hand one son over to the Israeli army in return for another. Eight months later he was dead in prison
- Exclusive: New owner of CBS coordinated with former Israeli military chief to counter the country’s critics, according to leaked emails
- AIPAC Gears Up for Midterm Election Cycle With $95 Million War Chest
- Official US gov’t reports contradict Mike Waltz’s rants against UNRWA
- Trump Again Bypasses U.S. Congress to Push $6 Billion in Arms Sales to Israel
- NBA Star Stephen Curry’s Ties To Israeli Military Intelligence
- ‘Apocalyptic wasteland’: Biden admin. blocked warning on deteriorating Gaza situation after Oct. 7
- Why Israeli counterterrorism tactics are showing up in Minnesota
- Israel Went to Extremes to Return Ran Gvili’s Body. Why Doesn’t It Accord Dead Palestinians the Same Respect?
- Across the West, speaking for Palestine is now a crime
- A West Bank Bus Trip Through ‘the Best Documented Ethnic Cleansing in History’
- Mike Huckabee’s distorted theology does not speak for Christians worldwide
