分类： world

In a tragic escalation of violence, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that at least 11 people were killed in a series of Israeli air strikes on Sunday. The strikes occurred across various locations in Gaza, reigniting tensions between Israel and Hamas, who have been accusing each other of violating a fragile ceasefire. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority, stated that six of the victims were killed when an Israeli strike targeted a group of civilians in northern Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed to AFP that it is currently investigating the reports of casualties. Earlier, an Israeli army official indicated that further strikes in Gaza could be imminent, following attacks on militants in the southern city of Rafah and the northern town of Beit Lahia. This latest violence underscores the precarious nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing conflict in the region.

Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man in Nablus on Sunday, leaving him to bleed in the street before dragging his body through the streets, according to witnesses and local reports. The victim, identified as 42-year-old Majed Mohammad Dawoud, was shot during a raid on the al-Ain refugee camp in the early hours of the morning. Medical teams were reportedly prevented from providing immediate assistance, and Dawoud’s body was stripped and dragged by Israeli soldiers before being retrieved and taken to Rafidia hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The incident occurred as part of a broader Israeli military operation across the West Bank, involving raids, arrests, and assaults on civilians. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society reported that at least 20 Palestinians, including three children, were arrested during the operation. Meanwhile, armed Israeli settlers, accompanied by soldiers, launched violent attacks on Palestinian farmers during the annual olive harvest season. In Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, settlers assaulted farmers and international volunteers, beating them with batons, setting fire to vehicles, and stealing harvested crops. Similar attacks were reported in villages near Nablus, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. The olive harvest, a critical economic activity for Palestinians, has been repeatedly targeted by settlers and Israeli forces, resulting in significant financial losses. According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, Israeli settlers have carried out over 7,150 attacks against Palestinians and their property since October 7, 2023, killing 33 people and damaging or uprooting nearly 49,000 trees, including over 37,000 olive trees. The United Nations reports that more than 1,000 Palestinians, including 213 children, have been killed in the West Bank since October 7, 2023, marking a significant escalation in violence.

Hamas’ armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, declared on Sunday that the group remains fully committed to the ceasefire agreement with Israel, denying any knowledge of clashes in Rafah. This statement came in response to earlier reports from the Israeli military, which confirmed that air force fighter jets had conducted strikes in Rafah to neutralize a perceived threat. The Israeli military alleged that ‘terrorists’ had opened fire on their troops, an action they described as a blatant violation of the ceasefire. The Al-Qassam Brigades emphasized their adherence to the agreement, stating, ‘We reaffirm our full commitment to implement everything that was agreed upon, foremost of which is a ceasefire across all areas of the Gaza Strip.’ They further claimed no awareness of incidents in Rafah, citing the area as a ‘red zone’ under Israeli control and noting that communication with their groups there had been severed since the war resumed in March. The situation underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing tensions in the region.

BLS International Services Ltd, a prominent global provider of government-to-citizen services, has been granted a three-year contract by India’s Ministry of External Affairs to establish and manage Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China. The agreement, effective from October 14, 2025, will see the opening of new centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, marking a significant step in India’s diplomatic and consular outreach in Asia. These centers will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced digital processing systems, and multilingual staff to enhance the visa application experience for travelers. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International, expressed pride in securing the contract and emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering secure, efficient, and customer-focused services. The move comes amid strengthening people-to-people and trade ties between India, China, and the Gulf region, particularly in the post-pandemic era. BLS International, which has been operational in the UAE since 2011, manages visa and consular services for several embassies, including those of India, Spain, Italy, and Slovakia. Its extensive network of 23 centers in the UAE has positioned the company as a key player in India’s global consular service expansion. With operations in 70 countries and partnerships with 46 governments, BLS International processes millions of applications annually. The new contract not only extends the company’s reach from the Gulf to East Asia but also underscores India’s growing diplomatic and technological influence, supported by trusted service networks headquartered in Dubai.

The Israeli military reportedly launched an attack on Gaza on Sunday, October 19, 2025, escalating tensions in the region. This development comes as Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas continue to exchange accusations over breaches of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement intended to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the enclave. Israeli media outlets were the first to report the incident, though the military has yet to issue an official statement regarding the alleged strike. The attack underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and raises concerns about the potential for further violence in the already volatile region. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with many calling for restraint and a return to diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis.

Bangladesh has launched a comprehensive investigation into a devastating fire that ravaged the cargo complex of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the country’s primary aviation hub. The inferno, which broke out late Saturday, left the facility—housing fabrics, garment accessories, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other imports—in ruins. Firefighters, deploying 37 units, managed to control the blaze after hours of intense efforts, allowing flight operations to resume. However, the damage has sparked significant concerns over trade disruptions and financial losses, particularly for Bangladesh’s garment industry, which accounts for 80% of its exports. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has begun assessing the extent of the damage, with business groups estimating losses in the millions of dollars. The fire also injured four individuals, though their conditions are reported as minor. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire but are investigating potential arson, especially in light of recent major fires in Chittagong and Dhaka. The government has vowed a ‘swift and resolute response’ to any acts of sabotage, urging calm amidst growing public concern. This incident occurs against a backdrop of political instability following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, with elections scheduled for February 2026. The government emphasized unity and determination in addressing potential threats to the nation’s democracy.

Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, marking another reported breach of the ceasefire agreement. According to Israel’s Channel 12, the strikes aimed to protect members of the Yasser Abu Shabab militia, an Israeli-backed group accused of looting humanitarian aid and targeting Palestinian civilians during Israel’s prolonged conflict in Gaza. Palestinian media outlet Quds Network cited an unnamed source claiming that a Hamas-led security unit had targeted a hideout linked to Abu Shabab east of Rafah. Middle East Eye could not independently verify these reports. Yasser Abu Shabab, a convicted drug trafficker, has led an Israeli-armed militia in Gaza for over a year, operating under Israeli military protection in southern Rafah. An Israeli military official told Reuters that Hamas fighters had launched ‘multiple attacks’ against Israeli troops during the incident, labeling it a ‘blatant violation’ of the ceasefire. The attacks allegedly involved rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire beyond the ‘Yellow Line,’ a demarcation within Gaza where Israeli forces are stationed. Hamas did not immediately comment on the incident, but Izzat al-Risheq, a member of the group’s Political Bureau, reiterated Hamas’s commitment to the ceasefire, accusing Israel of fabricating pretexts to justify its actions. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes were also reported in Jabalia, northern Gaza, with initial reports of casualties. Since the ceasefire began on October 11, Israeli forces have violated it approximately 50 times, including through artillery shelling, drone strikes, and tank fire, resulting in over 38 Palestinian deaths. Israel has also breached other ceasefire terms, such as restricting humanitarian aid and keeping the Rafah border crossing closed. Following the Rafah incident, Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich called for renewed military action, with Smotrich posting ‘War!’ on social media. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly assessing the situation to determine Israel’s next steps.

A devastating incident unfolded in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Fengshen wreaked havoc across the main island of Luzon, claiming the lives of a family of five. The tragedy occurred when a massive tree toppled onto their home at daybreak in a village near Pitogo, approximately 153 kilometers southeast of Manila. Among the victims were two children, aged two and eleven, who were crushed to death, according to police official Sonny Ombajino. The storm, which intensified with gusts reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour, hovered over Manila Bay on Sunday morning and was expected to impact provinces north of the capital. In response to the escalating threat, at least 47,000 residents from southeast Luzon have evacuated to government-designated shelters since Saturday. Local disaster officials have issued warnings of potential coastal flooding and landslides, urging residents to remain vigilant. The Philippines, a nation frequently battered by around 20 storms and typhoons annually, faces heightened risks due to widespread poverty and the increasing intensity of storms linked to climate change. This calamity follows a series of major earthquakes that have already claimed 87 lives over the past three weeks, compounding the country’s ongoing struggles with natural disasters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed indefinitely. The reopening, he stated, hinges on Hamas returning the bodies of deceased hostages. This announcement followed a conflicting statement from the Palestinian embassy in Egypt, which had earlier indicated that the crossing would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza. Hamas swiftly condemned Netanyahu’s decision, labeling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement and a breach of commitments made to mediators. The group also warned that the continued closure would hinder the entry of essential equipment needed to locate and recover more hostage remains buried under rubble, further delaying the process. Earlier on Saturday, Hamas confirmed it would hand over two additional hostage bodies, bringing the total to 12 out of 28 bodies returned under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal agreed upon last week. The dispute over the return of bodies underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and poses a significant risk to the broader agreement, which includes President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the conflict. As part of the deal, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. However, Israel has criticized Hamas for the slow pace of returning deceased hostages’ bodies, citing the challenges of locating remains amid Gaza’s widespread destruction. The agreement also stipulates that Israel return 360 bodies of Palestinian militants for each Israeli body received, with 15 bodies handed over so far. The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, and the ceasefire deal includes provisions to increase aid into Gaza, where hundreds of thousands face famine. Despite recent aid increases, the UN World Food Programme reports that the current levels remain insufficient. Key issues in Trump’s plan, including Hamas’s disarmament, Gaza’s governance, and the creation of a Palestinian state, remain unresolved, highlighting the formidable obstacles to achieving lasting peace.

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following high-stakes talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey in Doha. The agreement, announced early Sunday by Qatar’s foreign ministry, comes after a week of escalating cross-border violence that claimed dozens of lives on both sides. The clashes began on October 11, shortly after explosions rocked Kabul during a visit by the Taliban’s foreign minister to India, Pakistan’s regional rival. Pakistan accused Afghanistan of sheltering militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Kabul denied these allegations. The ceasefire aims to halt the bloodshed and establish mechanisms for lasting peace and stability. Both nations have committed to follow-up meetings to ensure the ceasefire’s sustainability and verify its implementation. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the agreement and announced that the next round of talks will take place in Istanbul on October 25. He emphasized that terrorism originating from Afghan soil would cease, and both countries would respect each other’s sovereignty. The Afghan delegation, led by defence chief Mohammad Yaqoob, and Pakistan’s delegation, including intelligence chief General Asim Malik, participated in the talks. Despite the agreement, local officials in Afghanistan’s Paktika province reported that 10 civilians, including two children, were killed in Pakistani air strikes prior to the ceasefire. While the situation has begun to normalize, lingering fears of renewed violence remain among the affected populations.