The Israeli military has intensified its operations across the Gaza Strip, conducting aerial strikes, artillery fire, and building demolitions despite plummeting temperatures and a severe lack of shelter for displaced Palestinians. Since Sunday night, attacks have been concentrated in Khan Younis, south of the besieged enclave, and Gaza City, resulting in civilian casualties. On Monday morning, Israeli aircraft targeted eastern Khan Younis, while heavy artillery shelling struck al-Khansaa School and surrounding areas in Abasan al-Kabira. Simultaneously, Israeli forces launched attacks on Rafah, killing at least two Palestinians. Explosions echoed through Gaza City as Israeli troops continued demolitions, targeting residential neighborhoods and shelters where many Palestinians have sought refuge. Ismail al-Thawabta, Director General of the Gaza Government Media Office, reported that Israel has committed over 194 violations since the US-brokered ceasefire began on October 10. Since the onset of Israel’s military campaign in October 2023, more than 68,865 Palestinians have been killed, with 170,670 injured. Compounding the crisis, Israeli authorities have restricted the entry of essential aid, including materials for tents. Amjad al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network in Gaza, highlighted the urgent need for 300,000 new tents before winter to avert a humanitarian and environmental disaster. Thawabta noted that Israel has failed to meet ceasefire stipulations, including the provision of shelters, food, medicine, and fuel. Between the ceasefire’s start and the end of October, only 3,203 of the required 13,200 aid trucks entered Gaza, far below the daily target of 600. The impending winter threatens to exacerbate the dire conditions in Gaza, where infrastructure, including homes, schools, and health centers, lies in ruins. The UN agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa) has called for restored humanitarian access as colder temperatures approach, emphasizing the urgent need for shelter and warmth.
分类： world
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Libyan delegation in Beirut seeks release of the son of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi
A Libyan delegation in Lebanon made significant strides in discussions with Lebanese judicial officials on Monday regarding the potential release of Hannibal Gadhafi, the son of the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Gadhafi has been detained in Lebanon without trial since 2015. The five-member delegation, led by senior judicial officials including prosecutor Jamal Hajar, engaged in talks to address the conditions of Gadhafi’s release. Lebanese judicial sources, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the discussions focused on reducing the $11 million bail imposed on Gadhafi and lifting his travel ban. The Libyan delegation also presented a detailed report on the investigation into the disappearance of Lebanese Shiite cleric Moussa al-Sadr, who vanished during a trip to Libya in 1978. Gadhafi, who was less than three years old at the time of al-Sadr’s disappearance, has been accused of withholding information about the cleric’s fate. The case has been a contentious issue in Lebanon, with al-Sadr’s family believing he may still be alive in a Libyan prison, while most Lebanese presume he is deceased. The Libyan delegation’s visit also included a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, where they emphasized Tripoli’s desire to reactivate bilateral relations with Beirut and resolve pending issues. Gadhafi, who had been living in exile in Syria before his abduction in 2015, is expected to relocate to Qatar if released. The Hostage Aid Worldwide organization has long advocated for his release, citing concerns over his prolonged detention without due process. The case remains a complex and sensitive matter, intertwined with the histories of both Libya and Lebanon.
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French climber among at least three killed in Nepal avalanche
A tragic avalanche struck the Yalung Ri mountain in Nepal’s Dolakha district on Monday, claiming the lives of at least three climbers, including a French national. The incident occurred at 09:00 local time near the base camp, where a group of 12 trekkers and local guides had set out just over an hour before the disaster. Among the deceased were two Italians, a German, and a Canadian. Five Nepali guides who managed to return to the base camp sustained non-critical injuries. Rescue operations are ongoing, but efforts are being hindered by adverse weather conditions and logistical challenges. A rescue helicopter has been deployed to the Na Gaun area, approximately a five-hour walk from the base camp. Separately, search and rescue missions continue for two Italian climbers, Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, who went missing while attempting to scale Panbari mountain in western Nepal. The duo, along with three local guides, became stranded last week due to heavy rain and snowfall triggered by Cyclone Montha. While one member of their group, Velter Perlino, has been rescued, the fate of the others remains uncertain. The cyclone also left several trekkers and tourists stranded in the Himalayas, including two British and one Irish woman who were rescued after being trapped for days in the Mustang region.
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Thousands evacuated as typhoon bears down on Philippines
Thousands of residents in the Philippines have been evacuated as Typhoon Kalmaegi approaches Leyte Island, bringing with it powerful winds and the threat of devastating storm surges. The typhoon, with sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 150 kph, is expected to make landfall in a region historically vulnerable to catastrophic storms. Evacuations have been ongoing for two days, particularly in coastal towns like Palo and Tanauan, which were severely impacted by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, a disaster that claimed over 6,000 lives. Neighboring Samar Island has also seen thousands evacuated, with predictions of three-meter storm surges. Local authorities in Guiuan town have even enforced mandatory evacuations to ensure safety. The Philippines, which faces an average of 20 storms annually, has already reached that number this year, with experts warning of three to five more storms before the end of December. In Dinagat Islands province, south of Leyte, preemptive evacuations have relocated 10,000 to 15,000 people to safer areas. Scientists attribute the increasing intensity of storms to human-driven climate change, while weather specialists note that higher cyclone activity often accompanies the La Nina climate pattern. The Philippines recently endured two major storms in September, including Super Typhoon Ragasa, which caused significant damage and fatalities in Taiwan.
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Drones seen over Belgian military base for third night, minister says
For the third consecutive night, drones have been observed flying over a Belgian military base near the Dutch border, as reported by the country’s Defence Minister Theo Francken. The incident occurred at the Kleine-Brogel base, prompting the deployment of a helicopter. The drones subsequently departed towards the Netherlands, according to national broadcaster VRT. Francken described the event as ‘a clear mission targeting Kleine Brogel’ and suggested it resembled an espionage operation, though he refrained from speculating on the perpetrators. ‘I have some ideas, but I’m going to be cautious,’ he stated. Similar drone sightings were reported at other military air bases in Leopoldsburg and Marche-en-Famenne, as well as near coastal airports in Ostend and Antwerp. This incident is part of a broader trend of drone-related disruptions in European airspace. In October, unconfirmed drone sightings forced Munich Airport in Germany to halt operations twice within 24 hours. Earlier, in September, Denmark attributed drone flights over its airports to a ‘professional actor,’ though no evidence linked Russia to the incursion. Russia has consistently denied involvement in such incidents. Additionally, Estonia and Poland sought consultations with NATO members after Russian drones and jets entered their airspace. In response, the European Commission has proposed four defence projects, including a counter-drone system, aiming to bolster Europe’s self-defence capabilities by 2030.
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ICC prosecutor warns Sudan’s paramilitary forces may be committing war crimes in Darfur
In a significant development, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday that they are taking immediate steps to preserve evidence of potential war crimes committed in Sudan’s Darfur region. This follows the capture of the key city of El-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, after an 18-month siege. Reports indicate that hundreds of civilians were killed, with witnesses describing horrific acts of violence, including house-to-house killings and sexual assaults. The World Health Organization has confirmed that at least 460 people were killed in a hospital attack, with medical staff abducted. The ICC’s statement emphasized that these alleged atrocities may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, reflecting a broader pattern of violence in Darfur. The fall of El-Fasher marks a new phase in the two-year conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s military, which has devastated the region. ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan had previously informed the UN Security Council in January that both government forces and the RSF might be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide. Khan has temporarily stepped down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. Earlier this month, the ICC achieved a landmark conviction in a Darfur case, finding Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman guilty of mass executions and other atrocities.
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Former Prince Andrew to lose his last military rank, says UK defence minister
The UK government has announced its decision to strip former Prince Andrew of his last remaining military title, the honorary rank of vice-admiral. This move follows King Charles III’s recent decision to revoke all of Andrew’s remaining royal titles and honors, a response to growing public outrage over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Defence Minister John Healey confirmed the decision during an interview with the BBC, stating that the government is acting under the guidance of the king. He also hinted at the possibility of Andrew losing his military medals, though no final decision has been made. Andrew, once celebrated for his service as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War, retired from active duty in 2001 after 22 years of service. His fall from grace began in 2022 when his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, stripped him of his honorary military titles after he was sued by Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s primary accuser. Giuffre alleged in her memoir, published posthumously in October, that she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew on three occasions, including twice when she was just 17. Andrew has consistently denied these allegations. Buckingham Palace issued a strongly worded statement last Thursday, announcing that Andrew would no longer be referred to as a prince and would instead be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The statement emphasized that these measures were necessary and expressed the king and queen’s sympathy for victims of abuse. A friend of the royal couple described the statement as an unprecedented judgment on Andrew’s actions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for the royal family, calling the situation tragic. The scandal has cast a long shadow over the British monarchy, with concerns about reputational damage growing. Camilla, the queen consort, has been a vocal advocate for abuse victims, and the royal family has increasingly prioritized amplifying the voices of survivors. The controversy has also reignited discussions about Andrew’s 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, where he defended his ties to Epstein and showed little empathy for the women involved. The latest developments mark a significant chapter in the ongoing fallout from Andrew’s association with Epstein, further distancing him from his former roles and titles.
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Famine spreads to two more areas in Sudan, global hunger authority says
The war in Sudan has plunged the nation into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with famine now declared in two regions, including the besieged city of el-Fasher in Darfur, according to a report released Monday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the leading global authority on hunger crises. The IPC confirmed that famine has been detected in el-Fasher and Kadugli in South Kordofan, with 20 other areas in Darfur and Kordofan also at imminent risk. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has claimed over 40,000 lives, displaced more than 14 million people, and fueled widespread disease outbreaks. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, has been accused of blockading el-Fasher for 18 months, severing food and supply lines to tens of thousands. Last week, RSF fighters seized the city, reportedly killing hundreds in violent attacks. Kadugli has also been under siege for months, trapping thousands as the RSF seeks to expand its territorial control. The IPC report highlights ‘extremely high levels of malnutrition’ and a ‘total collapse of livelihoods’ in these regions, with famine conditions meeting stringent criteria, including acute malnutrition affecting 30% of children under five. The IPC has confirmed famine only a few times in recent history, including in northern Gaza earlier this year and in Somalia and South Sudan in previous years. The report warns that towns near el-Fasher, such as Tawila, Melit, and Tawisha, are also at risk. As of September, 375,000 people in Darfur and Kordofan were pushed into famine, with 6.3 million across Sudan facing extreme hunger. While improved humanitarian access in Khartoum and surrounding areas has slightly reduced acute food insecurity, the IPC emphasizes that only a ceasefire can prevent further loss of life and mitigate the crisis.
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NATO member Romania signs agreement with Germany’s Rheinmetall to build a gunpowder plant
In a significant move to bolster Europe’s defense capabilities, NATO member Romania has inked a landmark agreement with German defense giant Rheinmetall to construct a state-of-the-art gunpowder factory in central Romania. The deal, signed on Monday, underscores Romania’s growing role in the region’s defense industry amid escalating tensions with Russia. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan lauded the joint venture as a testament to Romania’s emergence as a pivotal player in Southeast Europe’s defense sector. The 535 million-euro ($616 million) facility, set to be built in Victoria, Brasov County, is slated to commence construction in 2026 and is expected to take three years to complete. The project is projected to generate approximately 700 local jobs and will be partially financed through the European SAFE mechanism, aimed at enhancing defense readiness. Bolojan emphasized that Romania’s renewed focus on defense is a direct response to the deteriorating security landscape in Eastern Europe. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger highlighted the factory’s strategic importance, noting that the ammunition powder produced there is in high demand globally, particularly in Europe. He also stressed that the initiative positions Romania as a critical component of both the European and NATO defense ecosystems. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Romania has stepped up its contributions to NATO, including donating a Patriot missile system to Ukraine and establishing an international training hub for F-16 pilots from allied nations.
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Afghanistan: At least 7 killed, 150 injured as powerful 6.3 quake hits northern area
A devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, resulting in at least seven fatalities and approximately 150 injuries, according to provincial authorities. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers (17.4 miles), struck near Mazar-e Sharif, a city with a population of around 523,000. The US Geological Survey (USGS) issued an orange alert through its PAGER system, warning of significant casualties and widespread disaster potential. Past events with similar alerts have necessitated regional or national-level responses. The earthquake caused extensive damage, including the partial destruction of the revered Blue Mosque, a holy shrine in Mazar-i-Sharif, as confirmed by Balkh province spokesperson Haji Zaid. Rescue operations are underway, with videos circulating on social media platform X showing efforts to extract victims from the rubble. Afghanistan, situated on two major active fault lines, remains highly susceptible to seismic activity. This latest disaster follows a series of deadly earthquakes in recent years, including a 2023 quake that claimed over 1,000 lives. The national disaster management agency is expected to release further details on casualties and damage.