Global Pulse

分类： world

  • Senior Hamas commander Raed Saed killed in Gaza strike, Israeli media say

    Senior Hamas commander Raed Saed killed in Gaza strike, Israeli media say

    Israeli forces conducted a targeted military operation in Gaza City on Saturday, resulting in the death of senior Hamas commander Raed Saed, according to multiple Israeli media reports. The strike targeted a vehicle transporting Saed, who Israeli defense officials identified as one of the principal architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel.

    The operation represents the highest-profile assassination of a Hamas leader since the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in October. Gaza health authorities confirmed the strike resulted in four fatalities, though Israeli military officials initially declined to provide specific details about the target.

    Saed held multiple critical positions within Hamas’ military structure, serving as both the head of the organization’s weapon manufacturing division and the second-in-command of its armed wing, reporting directly to Izz eldeen Al-Hadad. Previously, he commanded Hamas’ Gaza City battalion, considered one of the group’s most substantial and well-equipped military formations.

    The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas originated with the October 7, 2023 attacks, during which Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians and seized 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military response has resulted in over 70,700 Palestinian casualties according to Gaza health officials, though Israel maintains its operations specifically target Hamas militants and infrastructure.

    While the October ceasefire has facilitated the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to Gaza City and enabled increased humanitarian aid delivery, violence has persisted. Palestinian health authorities report at least 386 fatalities from Israeli strikes since the truce began, while Israel confirms three soldier deaths and numerous operations against militants during the same period.

  • Rain and rubble: Gaza families face a double threat in makeshift homes

    Rain and rubble: Gaza families face a double threat in makeshift homes

    Across Gaza’s displacement camps, families surviving in makeshift shelters face a new humanitarian emergency as winter storms overwhelm their fragile living conditions. Multiple households report catastrophic flooding, structural collapses, and sewage contamination amid freezing temperatures, creating life-threatening conditions for vulnerable populations.

    At al-Yarmouk stadium in central Gaza, Saber Dawas recounts his futile attempts to reinforce his family’s tent against relentless rain. Despite borrowing money for plastic tarpaulins and wooden supports, the structure collapsed during recent storms, soaking all possessions and leaving his seven daughters shivering through flooded conditions. His youngest child, a two-year-old with stomach cancer and compromised immunity, now battles influenza without access to medication. “I wish I had died before reaching a day where I watch my daughters freezing while I can’t provide them warmth,” he told Middle East Eye.

    Nearby, Sanaa al-Ayubi’s family shelters in equally dire circumstances. Her husband, a double amputee from Israeli airstrikes that destroyed their Tel al-Hawa home in December 2024, now crawls through sewage-contaminated floodwaters after their tent’s central pole snapped. The malfunctioning sewage infrastructure has created biohazard conditions, with bacteria forming on her husband’s residual limbs and most bedding ruined by contamination. Despite contacting municipal authorities, no assistance has arrived.

    In northern Gaza’s al-Karama neighborhood, widow Nesma Hassan and her four-year-old daughter occupy the remnants of their bomb-damaged home. Though two rooms remain partially roofed, winter winds tore away protective coverings, leaving them scooping water throughout nights while huddling in corners. The child now exhibits trauma responses to thunder and wind noises echoing through the rubble.

    Gaza’s civil defense reports at least 11 fatalities and 11 injuries from partial building collapses during the three-day storm period, with emergency teams responding to 13 structural failures and hundreds of flooded tents. The agency has prioritized water pumping and drainage channel clearance, but overwhelming needs outstrip available resources.

    Many displaced residents express bitter irony that their suffering continues despite ceasefire declarations, with one father questioning: “Is this what a ceasefire looks like? Instead of being in our homes we are dying of cold in fragile tents.”

  • Fear grips Congo’s Uvira as M23 rebels take control, displacing 200,000

    Fear grips Congo’s Uvira as M23 rebels take control, displacing 200,000

    UVIRA, Democratic Republic of Congo — A palpable atmosphere of apprehension grips the strategic eastern Congolese city of Uvira following its recent capture by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel faction, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities despite a recently mediated Washington peace agreement.

    The Associated Press obtained exclusive access to the city, which represented the final major governmental stronghold in South Kivu province after February’s fall of Bukavu. This strategic victory enables M23 to solidify an extensive corridor of influence throughout eastern Congo.

    Regional authorities confirm the rebel offensive, initiated earlier this month, has resulted in approximately 400 casualties and displaced nearly 200,000 civilians. As of Saturday, Uvira remained paralyzed by tension—commercial banks shuttered, vehicular traffic nonexistent except for military patrols, and residents fearful of venturing outdoors after nightfall amid armed rebel patrols.

    Local resident Maria Esther, a 45-year-old mother of ten, described the stagnant economic conditions: “While some fled, we remained. But normalcy hasn’t returned—we cannot resume our livelihoods without monetary circulation.” Another inhabitant, Joli Bulambo, expressed relief that the casualty count remained lower than initially feared.

    This military advancement occurs despite the Washington Accords brokered by the United States and signed by Congolese and Rwandan leadership. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly condemned Rwanda’s alleged violation of the agreement through continued support of M23 operations, promising consequential actions against deal “spoilers.”

    The conflict’s expansion toward Burundi’s border raises concerns about potential regional spillover, with reports of artillery shells landing in Burundian territory. Eastern Congo’s mineral-rich territories host over 100 armed groups, with M23 experiencing dramatic growth from hundreds to approximately 6,500 combatants since 2021 according to UN estimates.

    Diplomatic tensions intensified as Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner accused Rwanda of undermining the peace process, urging UN sanctions and restrictions on Rwandan mineral exports and peacekeeping contributions. Meanwhile, M23 deputy coordinator Bertrand Bisimwa claimed ceasefire agreements remain “theoretical” without practical implementation.

    Rwandan officials counter-accused Congo of declaring intentions to continue fighting in M23-held territories, justifying rebel retaliation. While Rwanda denies supporting M23, it acknowledges maintaining military presence in eastern Congo for national security purposes, estimated by UN experts at up to 4,000 troops.

  • Two US soldiers and interpreter killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says

    Two US soldiers and interpreter killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says

    A deadly assault on a joint U.S.-Syrian military patrol near the historic city of Palmyra has resulted in significant casualties, marking a severe escalation of violence in the region. According to U.S. Central Command, an Islamic State gunman orchestrated a lone-wolf ambush that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, while wounding three additional U.S. service members. Syrian state media confirmed that two of their personnel were also injured in the coordinated attack.

    The incident occurred during what Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described as ‘a key leader engagement’ in a contested area beyond the Syrian president’s full control. While no group has immediately claimed responsibility, initial assessments from defense officials strongly point to ISIS operatives. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights offered conflicting reporting, suggesting the attacker might have been affiliated with Syrian security forces.

    The timing proves particularly significant as it follows recent diplomatic developments between the formerly adversarial nations. Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Donald Trump at the White House, characterizing the encounter as the dawn of a ‘new era’ in bilateral relations. Syria’s recent inclusion in the international coalition against Islamic State underscores the complex partnership evolving between the two governments.

    U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a stern warning following the attack: ‘Let it be known, if you target Americans – anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.’ Echoing this commitment, Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, condemned the ‘cowardly terrorist ambush’ and reaffirmed America’s dedication to ‘defeating terrorism with our Syrian partners.’

    The global coalition, which Syria recently joined, continues its mission to eliminate remaining ISIS elements and prevent the flow of foreign militants to the Middle East. The identities of deceased American personnel are being withheld pending family notifications.

  • Iran seizes foreign tanker carrying 6 million liters of ‘smuggled diesel’ in Gulf of Oman

    Iran seizes foreign tanker carrying 6 million liters of ‘smuggled diesel’ in Gulf of Oman

    Iranian naval forces have intercepted and seized a foreign-flagged oil tanker transporting approximately six million liters of allegedly smuggled diesel fuel in the Gulf of Oman. The incident occurred overnight Friday to Saturday, according to reports from Iranian state media.

    The Fars news agency, citing officials from Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, reported that the vessel had deliberately disabled all navigation systems prior to its interception. The tanker was carrying a multinational crew of 18 seafarers from India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh at the time of its seizure.

    This maritime interception represents the latest in a series of similar operations conducted by Iranian authorities in the strategic waterways of the Persian Gulf region. The Iranian government maintains that such actions are legitimate enforcement measures against fuel smuggling operations that exploit Iran’s subsidized domestic fuel prices.

    The seizure occurs within a complex geopolitical context, coming just two days after United States forces captured an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast. Washington authorities stated that vessel was transporting oil from both Venezuela and Iran, highlighting the ongoing maritime tensions involving multiple international actors.

    Iran’s retail fuel prices rank among the world’s lowest due to substantial government subsidies, creating significant economic incentives for smuggling operations to transport fuel to neighboring markets where prices are substantially higher. Iranian forces have established regular patrols and interception protocols to combat what they describe as illegal fuel transportation activities in these crucial shipping lanes.

  • Gaza hit by heavy rains, 16 dead in a single day as temperatures drop to 8°C

    Gaza hit by heavy rains, 16 dead in a single day as temperatures drop to 8°C

    A severe winter storm has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 16 fatalities within a 24-hour period. Storm Byron brought torrential rains and plunging temperatures to the war-ravaged territory, with nighttime temperatures dropping to approximately 8°C (46°F), creating life-threatening conditions for displaced populations.

    The Gaza civil defence agency, operating under Hamas authority, reported multiple tragic incidents across the territory. Three children were confirmed dead from exposure to the extreme cold, including nine-year-old Hadeel al-Masri and several-month-old Taim al-Khawaja in Gaza City, and eight-month-old Rahaf Abu Jazar in Khan Yunis. Structural collapses claimed additional lives, with six fatalities occurring when a house collapsed in Bir al-Naja and two more recovered from rubble in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.

    Heavy rainfall has flooded the makeshift tent settlements that now dominate Gaza’s landscape, where most buildings have been destroyed or damaged by prolonged conflict. Displaced families described desperate conditions, with mattresses and bedding soaked through and no dry clothing available. “We spent the night holding onto the tent pole so it wouldn’t fly away in the strong wind,” recounted Samer Morsi, a 22-year-old sheltering in Deir el-Balah.

    UN officials expressed grave concerns about the compounding health risks. Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF spokesman in Gaza, highlighted “absolutely appalling hygiene and sanitary conditions” with open sewage pools forming near displacement camps. The World Health Organization warned that winter conditions combined with poor water and sanitation would likely drive a surge in acute respiratory infections and preventable waterborne illnesses.

    Despite a ceasefire that has partially eased aid restrictions, humanitarian supplies remain insufficient to address the immense needs of Gaza’s population, nearly all of whom have been displaced during more than two years of conflict.

  • A collection of archives detailing the crimes of Japan’s Unit 731 released

    A collection of archives detailing the crimes of Japan’s Unit 731 released

    China’s National Archives Administration has unveiled a significant collection of historical documents exposing the wartime atrocities committed by Japan’s notorious Unit 731. The release coincides with the 12th National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims, creating a powerful juxtaposition of historical remembrance.

    The newly publicized archives contain comprehensive Soviet interrogation records and detailed investigation reports spanning from May 1939 to December 1950. These documents provide irrefutable evidence of Japan’s systematic biological warfare operations against China during World War II, revealing the imperial army’s extensive program of human experimentation and biological weapons development.

    Historical experts analyzing the materials emphasize that these records confirm the premeditated and state-sponsored nature of the crimes committed. The documentation includes firsthand accounts from unit members, detailed descriptions of experimental procedures, and evidence of coordinated biological attacks on Chinese civilian populations.

    The archival release represents a significant contribution to the historical record of Pacific Theater warfare, offering researchers and historians unprecedented access to primary source materials that detail one of the most disturbing chapters of biological warfare in modern history. The timing of the disclosure reinforces China’s ongoing efforts to document and memorialize victims of Japanese wartime aggression.

    International historians have long sought greater access to Unit 731 documentation, with many previous records remaining classified or destroyed at the end of World War II. This release provides crucial insights into the operational structure, scientific methodologies, and ethical violations committed under the guise of military research and development.

  • Cambodia says Thailand still bombing hours after President Trump truce call

    Cambodia says Thailand still bombing hours after President Trump truce call

    A US-brokered ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia has unraveled within hours of its announcement, with Phnom Penh accusing Bangkok of continuing aerial bombardments along their disputed border region. The Cambodian Defense Ministry stated that on December 13, 2025, Thai F-16 fighter jets dropped seven bombs on multiple targets within Cambodian territory, directly contradicting the truce agreement facilitated by President Donald Trump.

    The escalation comes despite President Trump’s announcement on his Truth Social platform that both neighboring nations had agreed to halt hostilities following his diplomatic engagement with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The border conflict, reignited earlier this week, has already claimed at least 20 lives and displaced approximately half a million people from both sides.

    This recent violence represents the collapse of a July ceasefire agreement that was jointly brokered by the United States, China, and Malaysia through the ASEAN framework. The current clashes stem from longstanding territorial disputes along the 800-kilometer colonial-era border demarcation. Thailand had previously suspended the peace agreement in November following incidents where Thai soldiers were wounded by landmines at the border.

    Both nations have engaged in mutual recriminations, with each government blaming the other for initiating the renewed conflict. Prime Minister Hun Manet has proposed utilizing US and Malaysian intelligence capabilities to determine which side initiated hostilities on December 7. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin dissolved Thailand’s parliament on Friday after just three months in office, setting the stage for early general elections next year amid the ongoing border crisis.

  • Migrant Channel crossings resume after four-week gap

    Migrant Channel crossings resume after four-week gap

    The prolonged hiatus in small boat migrant arrivals across the English Channel concluded this weekend as Border Force vessels transported dozens of individuals to Dover, Kent. This event terminated a four-week period without recorded crossings—the most extended interruption since 2018.

    Photographic evidence depicted groups wearing life jackets disembarking from a government vessel on Saturday. While official statistics from the Home Office will be released Sunday, this arrival breaks a significant pause that began after the last documented crossing on November 14th.

    Seasonal patterns indicate December typically experiences reduced crossing activity due to harsh winter weather in the Channel, which is considered a primary factor in the recent lull. Despite this temporary respite, the cumulative figure for 2025 has reached 39,292 individuals, positioning it as the second-highest annual tally on record, trailing only the peak of 45,774 arrivals witnessed in 2022. Historical data reveals that more than 187,000 people have undertaken the perilous journey via small boats since official record-keeping commenced seven years ago.

    Concurrently, the UK government is intensifying its multifaceted strategy to combat irregular migration. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly committed to dismantling people-smuggling networks with the objective of significantly reducing crossings by 2029. On the diplomatic front, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy recently engaged with European counterparts to deliberate on potential reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), aiming to streamline deportation procedures for those deemed to have entered illegally.

    Further policy adjustments were unveiled in November by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, introducing a system of temporary refugee status subject to reassessment every 30 months. This framework includes provisions for returning individuals to their countries of origin if conditions are subsequently classified as safe.

    A notable bilateral initiative, the “one in, one out” pilot program established with France in August, continues its operation. This agreement facilitates the return of a migrant to France in exchange for the UK accepting another individual with a substantiated asylum claim. As of late November, this mechanism has resulted in 153 individuals being returned under its provisions.

  • Visa-free transit and direct flights to boost travel to China

    Visa-free transit and direct flights to boost travel to China

    In a significant move to reinvigorate its tourism sector and strengthen global connectivity, China is implementing a dual strategy of expanded visa-free transit policies and increased direct flight routes. The initiative comes as the country positions itself as a premier destination for international travelers following recent global travel disruptions.

    China Southern Airlines recently demonstrated this commitment by hosting a cultural bridge event titled “Bridging Cultures Across the Sky” in San Francisco on December 9. The event specifically targeted the promotion of US-China travel routes, highlighting the airline’s expanded service offerings between the two nations.

    The visa-free transit program, which allows passengers from numerous countries to stay in China for up to 144 hours without a visa when connecting to international flights, has been expanded to include additional major hub airports. This policy streamlining eliminates bureaucratic hurdles that previously discouraged short-term visits and layover tourism.

    Aviation industry analysts note that the combination of eased transit regulations and enhanced direct flight availability creates a powerful synergy. Travelers can now more conveniently use Chinese airports as connecting hubs while also having improved options for direct access to China’s numerous cultural and commercial centers.

    The strategic timing of these developments coincides with China’s broader efforts to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and economic ties with key partners worldwide. The travel facilitation measures are expected to provide substantial benefits to sectors including hospitality, retail, and business services across China’s major urban centers.