分类： world

A coordinated assault by Israeli settlers targeted the Khallat al-Sidra Bedouin community northeast of occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday night, resulting in extensive property destruction through arson attacks. According to official reports from the Palestinian Authority’s Jerusalem Governorate, armed settlers not only set multiple homes ablaze but also physically assaulted residents before Israeli military forces entered the area.

The violence was preceded by settlers blocking the community’s sole access road, effectively imposing a movement lockdown on residents. Viral video footage circulating on social media platforms shows structures completely engulfed in flames as desperate residents attempted to extinguish the fires with limited resources.

This incident represents the latest in a series of escalating attacks against the Khallat al-Sidra community, which has experienced intensified violence in recent days including beatings of both residents and international activists, destruction of vehicles and animal shelters, and systematic seizure of critical infrastructure including solar panels and surveillance equipment.

Parallel land seizure attempts were reported in the neighboring Ma’azi Jaba’ community, where approximately 200 Palestinians face repeated attacks allegedly aimed at territorial expansion for the Adam settlement and its connection to the Benjamin settlement. Such settlement construction violates international law, which explicitly prohibits building in occupied territories.

Settler violence against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem has operated with impunity for years, frequently under military protection. Since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, official data from the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documents 4,723 settler violence cases in 2025 alone. Over the past two years, more than 1,000 Palestinians, including 217 minors, have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank.

In a significant demonstration of international security cooperation, Lebanese authorities have successfully dismantled a major drug manufacturing facility following critical intelligence provided by Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control. The operation, which represents a substantial blow to regional drug trafficking networks, resulted in the seizure of massive quantities of illicit substances and manufacturing materials.

The targeted laboratory, located in Lebanon, was actively producing amphetamine and methamphetamine (commonly known as shabu) when authorities conducted their raid. Law enforcement officials confiscated approximately 4,600 kilograms of hashish, 870 regulated pharmaceutical tablets, substantial quantities of precursor chemicals used in drug production, and an assortment of firearms.

This coordinated effort highlights the growing collaboration between Saudi and Lebanese security agencies in combating transnational criminal organizations. The operation forms part of Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive strategy to combat drug smuggling and trafficking activities both within its borders and throughout the region. Officials from both nations emphasized that this successful intervention demonstrates the effectiveness of shared intelligence and joint security initiatives in addressing cross-border drug crimes that threaten regional stability.

The bust comes amid increasing regional focus on narcotics enforcement, with several Gulf nations recently reporting major drug interdictions. Security analysts note that such cooperation between Arab nations signals a strengthening of regional security partnerships aimed at dismantling sophisticated drug manufacturing and distribution networks operating across international boundaries.

Egyptian officials have declared complete operational readiness to facilitate humanitarian assistance into Gaza and receive wounded Palestinians, contingent upon Israel’s reopening of the Rafah border crossing. The critical passage has remained sealed since May 2024 despite ceasefire agreements mandating its operation.

According to reports from Israel’s state broadcaster KAN, the border crossing is anticipated to resume bidirectional operations on February 1st. North Sinai Governor Khaled Mujawir confirmed in a televised statement that Egyptian authorities have maintained full preparedness on their side of the border. “We are 100 percent ready for the entry of aid and for receiving the wounded from the Gaza Strip,” Mujawir stated, emphasizing that crisis management teams are developing multiple contingency plans for aid distribution.

The current situation stems from an October agreement between Israel and Hamas that outlined a phased approach to ending hostilities and easing humanitarian restrictions. The first phase required the return of all Israeli captives and the reopening of Rafah crossing for aid delivery. While the Palestinian side fulfilled its obligation with the recent recovery and return of the final Israeli captive, Ran Gvili, Israel has maintained the border closure in violation of the accord.

Compounding the humanitarian crisis, Israeli forces recently demolished the headquarters of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) in occupied East Jerusalem. This agency serves as the primary support system for approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across the region. The demolition followed Israeli legislation passed last year banning the organization’s operations.

Despite the theoretical progression to a second ceasefire phase, UN aid coordination officials emphasize that Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe remains severe. Gaza’s Government Media Office has documented over 1,300 ceasefire violations by Israeli forces, including 200 structural demolitions, 430 incidents of gunfire targeting civilians, 66 incursions into residential zones, and more than 600 strikes.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that Israeli forces have killed 488 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, with injuries totaling 1,321. Overall casualty figures from the conflict that commenced in October 2023 exceed 71,667 Palestinians killed, including at least 20,179 children, with thousands more missing and presumed dead.

Security cameras captured a shocking assassination attempt in the Philippines as a local mayor narrowly escaped death after assailants targeted his vehicle with a rocket-propelled grenade. The brazen attack occurred in full public view, underscoring the volatile security situation facing local officials in certain regions.

The footage shows the official’s convoy moving through an urban area when suddenly an explosion rocks the lead vehicle. Bystanders scatter in panic as smoke and debris fill the air. Security personnel immediately respond to secure the area and transport the mayor to safety.

This incident represents one of the most audacious attacks on a public official in recent memory, demonstrating the sophisticated weaponry now being employed by attackers. Philippine authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the attack, which they believe may be connected to ongoing political tensions or anti-drug operations that have made local officials targets for violence.

The attack has raised serious concerns about the safety of public servants and the escalating arms race between law enforcement and criminal elements. Officials have vowed to enhance security protocols for government personnel while pursuing those responsible for this act of terrorism.

UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov presented a cautiously optimistic yet deeply concerning assessment of the Gaza situation during Wednesday’s UN Security Council open debate. Addressing the Middle East conflict and Palestinian question, Alakbarov characterized the current moment as both a potential turning point and a period of significant vulnerability.

The diplomatic landscape shows promise with the announced implementation of the second phase of former US President Donald Trump’s 20-point comprehensive plan, which Alakbarov identified as a crucial development for cementing the fragile ceasefire. However, this political progress contrasts starkly with the devastating humanitarian reality on the ground.

Gaza’s entire population remains dependent on humanitarian assistance, with recent heavy rainfall and cold temperatures intensifying the suffering of over 1.5 million displaced Palestinians. Humanitarian operations face severe constraints including security concerns, customs clearance obstacles, Israeli restrictions on authorized partners, cargo delays at crossings, and limited internal transport routes.

Despite the nominal ceasefire, Alakbarov reported continued Israeli military operations involving airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire across the territory. Hundreds of Palestinians, including numerous women and children, have been killed since the ceasefire began.

The envoy also highlighted deteriorating conditions in the occupied West Bank, where September-December 2025 saw entrenched negative trends including extensive military operations, settlement expansion, settler violence, demolitions, and large-scale detentions.

Amid these challenges, Alakbarov identified a genuine opportunity to establish foundations for regional stability, advance Palestinian governmental reunification of Gaza and the West Bank, and ultimately work toward ending the occupation through a renewed political process.