In a significant escalation of tensions in Gaza, Hamas has called for the immediate intervention of Donald Trump's newly established 'Board of Peace' to halt ongoing Israeli military actions, which they describe as a 'war of genocide against the Strip.' Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for Hamas, stated, 'The war of genocide against Gaza is still ongoing – through killings, displacement, siege, and starvation.' This urgent plea comes as reports indicate that over 600 Palestinians have died since a ceasefire agreement was brokered on October 10, 2025, with at least 1,600 others injured due to Israeli attacks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The recent Israeli airstrikes, which killed at least 12 Palestinians, have been condemned as a blatant violation of the supposed ceasefire, with Qassem emphasizing that these actions are part of a broader strategy of ethnic cleansing under U.S. protection (wsws, February 17, 2026).