Daily Peace and Crisis Report

Compiled Thursday, February 19, 2026

Daily Peace and Crisis Report

Compiled February 19, 2026, 08:05 AEDT

Armed Conflicts and Military Operations

Gaza/Palestine: A new study published in The Lancet suggests the death toll in Gaza is significantly higher than previously reported, with an estimated 75,000 violent deaths between October 7, 2023, and January 5, 2025 (The Guardian). The official toll from Gaza's Health Ministry has now surpassed 71,660. Israeli raids have continued in the occupied West Bank at the start of Ramadan, and a young Palestinian was shot and killed by Israeli settlers (Al Jazeera). A UN Human Rights Office report has raised concerns over potential ethnic cleansing by Israeli authorities in both Gaza and the West Bank (OHCHR).

Ukraine: Russian forces conducted strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the past day, while air defense units reportedly destroyed 163 Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk Region (TASS). Ukrainian mobilization efforts have faced resistance, with videos showing enforcers opening fire and pistol-whipping draft resisters (RT). The conflict continues to be fueled by US arms supplies, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Meanwhile, talks on the Ukraine crisis held in Geneva are described as result-oriented but difficult, with the time and venue for future dialogue yet to be determined (TASS).

Sudan: A UN Fact-Finding Mission has found evidence of a genocidal campaign in El-Fasher, North Darfur, targeting non-Arab communities (OHCHR). The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed alarm after scores were killed in drone attacks over two days. A joint UN convoy managed to bring vital aid to cut-off communities in South Kordofan for the first time in three months (ReliefWeb).

Syria: The United States is reportedly planning to withdraw all 1,000 of its troops from Syria within the next two months (Al Jazeera). This comes after a ceasefire agreement was signed on January 30, 2026, though concerns remain about the potential resurgence of ISIL as a regional threat.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Clashes in the eastern DRC have resulted in the deaths of at least 50 civilians, with violence intensifying in Ituri province where over 100 children have been killed or injured (TRT World, ReliefWeb).

Humanitarian Crises and Displacement

Gaza/Palestine: The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with the population facing deprivation, high prices, and the hardships of displacement during Ramadan (UN News). A new Lancet study estimates 8,200 indirect deaths from issues like malnutrition and untreated disease. The UN has raised concerns about potential ethnic cleansing and hundreds of starvation deaths (Times of Israel).

Ukraine: More than a third of Ukraine's children, totaling over 2.5 million, remain displaced four years into the war, with nearly 1.8 million living as refugees in other countries (ReliefWeb).

Myanmar: The country faces a protracted humanitarian emergency with over 16 million people requiring assistance due to widespread displacement, ongoing conflict, and severe economic deterioration (ReliefWeb).

Pakistan: A combination of floods, drought, and economic pressures has driven 7.5 million Pakistanis into high levels of acute food insecurity, with 1.25 million facing critical levels (ReliefWeb).

Kenya: An estimated 3.3 million people are facing acute hunger in Kenya's ASAL counties, prompting calls for urgent multisectoral action to prevent malnutrition and deaths (ReliefWeb).

Afghanistan: The return of 5.4 million Afghans since late 2023 has pushed the country deeper into crisis, exacerbating a deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation, particularly for women and girls (ReliefWeb).

South Sudan: An escalating crisis in South Sudan is disproportionately affecting women and children, with at least 280,000 people displaced in Jonglei State alone (ReliefWeb).

Civil Unrest and Political Instability

South Korea: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life in prison for insurrection (Al Jazeera).

United Kingdom: Former Prince Andrew has been arrested in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal (RT, Al Jazeera).

Cuba: The UN Human Rights office has expressed concerns over Cuba's deepening economic crisis (OHCHR).

International Organizations and Multilateral Cooperation

United Nations: The UN is ramping up ceasefire support to Gazans and a joint UN convoy delivered aid to Sudan's South Kordofan. The UN Human Rights office has released critical reports on the situations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Sudan. The UNHCR is seeking support for the 5.4 million Afghans who have returned home.

Geneva Talks: Trilateral negotiations on the Ukraine crisis are continuing in Geneva, described as difficult but result-oriented. Russia has stated it is pleased that the dialogue is gaining momentum (TASS).

Board of Peace: The first meeting of the 'Board of Peace', initiated by Donald Trump, has taken place, with analysts questioning what it can achieve regarding the conflict in Gaza (Al Jazeera).

Peacekeeping Operations and Security Council Actions

Libya: The UN's top envoy for Libya warned the Security Council that the prolonged political deadlock, worsening economy, and a split within the judiciary threaten the country's unity (UN News).

Syria: The US is planning a full withdrawal of its 1,000 troops from Syria, a significant development for the security landscape in the region (Al Jazeera).

Human Rights and Protection of Civilians

Gaza/Palestine: A report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has detailed harrowing accounts of torture, threats, and rape of Palestinian journalists jailed by Israel (Al Jazeera). The UN has raised concerns about potential ethnic cleansing and hundreds of starvation deaths.

Libya: A UN report describes a "violent business model" of systemic violations and abuses against migrants in Libya, constituting a pattern of systematic human rights violations (OHCHR).

Russia: The UN Special Rapporteur has demanded justice for Alexei Navalny following his death, after five states claimed he was poisoned (OHCHR).

Mexico: UN torture prevention experts have urged Mexico to strengthen its measures to prevent torture, despite recognizing some progress (OHCHR).

Key Statistics

Report compiled from multiple sources including UN News, TASS, Al Jazeera, RT, ReliefWeb, and OHCHR. All statistics verified against primary sources where possible.