标签： Asia

As Israeli and Hamas negotiators continue to deliberate over the final details of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, the predominantly Christian village of Taybeh in the West Bank faces escalating violence and forced displacement. Villagers, while relieved by the progress in peace talks, are grappling with more immediate and dire concerns. October, traditionally the olive harvesting season, has become a time of terror for residents who risk settler assaults when venturing onto their lands. Gates installed at the village entrance allow the Israeli army to cut off access instantly, further isolating the community. Youssef Moussa, a 64-year-old Bedouin man, recounted a harrowing attack by a settler militia that left him unconscious with two broken ribs and his wife beaten. The settlers ransacked his home, stealing 7,000 dinars ($9,870) and 85 sheep, which represent his livelihood. The violence extends beyond Taybeh, with armed settlers, often accompanied by soldiers, attacking Palestinian farmers across the West Bank. In Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, masked men assaulted an elderly woman and a foreign volunteer, set vehicles on fire, and stole the harvest. Similar incidents have been reported near Nablus, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. Jamal Juma, a peace activist based in Ramallah, describes the perpetrators as “fascist militias” funded and armed by the state, operating with impunity under the Netanyahu government. Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu’s finance minister and a key figure in the coalition government, is a self-proclaimed fascist and the de facto governor of the West Bank. His relentless land seizure program aims to eradicate Palestinian communities, a goal that has already seen significant progress. Smotrich’s plan to annex 82 percent of the West Bank, referred to as Judea and Samaria, would render the two-state solution impossible. The international community, including the US and European nations, has expressed concern over these developments, but on the ground, the violence continues unabated. Taybeh, one of the few Christian-majority villages in the West Bank, has attracted international attention, including visits from US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and US senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley. However, these visits have done little to deter the ongoing attacks. The plight of Taybeh is emblematic of a broader Israeli policy of forced displacement, which human rights groups like Balasan and B’Tselem argue constitutes a war crime under international law. Despite the humanitarian and cultural destruction, the international community’s response has been insufficient, and the omission of these issues from Trump’s peace plan raises questions about the feasibility of long-term peace in the region.

The Louvre Museum in Paris remained closed for a second consecutive day on Monday as authorities intensified their search for masked thieves responsible for a brazen daylight heist. The audacious robbery, which took place on Sunday, saw the thieves steal nine pieces of priceless jewelry, including the crown of Empress Eugenie, adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds. The crown was dropped and damaged during the escape, highlighting the chaotic nature of the crime. According to officials, the thieves executed the robbery in just seven minutes, using a truck equipped with an extendable ladder to access the museum’s Apollo Gallery through a window. The stolen items, which include a diamond-and-emerald necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his wife, Empress Marie-Louise, and a diadem belonging to Empress Eugenie, are considered irreplaceable. The heist has reignited concerns over the security of France’s cultural institutions, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez calling for enhanced protection measures. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin admitted to significant lapses in security, describing the incident as a national embarrassment. This marks the first theft from the Louvre since 1998, when a painting by Camille Corot was stolen and never recovered. The museum, home to iconic works like the Mona Lisa, may remain closed until Wednesday, disrupting the plans of thousands of visitors. The robbery underscores a troubling trend of museum thefts in France, with several high-profile incidents reported in recent months.

Israel is facing an unprecedented wave of emigration, with record numbers of citizens leaving the country since 2020. A report by the Knesset’s Research and Information Center (RIC) reveals that between 2020 and 2024, approximately 145,900 more Israelis departed for the long term than returned. This alarming trend has sparked concern among policymakers, who fear the implications of a declining Jewish population in the state. The exodus has been particularly pronounced in recent years, with 59,400 Israelis leaving in 2022 and 82,800 in 2023—a surge partly attributed to the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023. Cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, Netanya, and Jerusalem have seen significant numbers of residents departing. The report was prepared for a session of the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, where MP Gilad Kariv described the situation as a ‘tsunami.’ Kariv emphasized that the trend threatens the resilience of Israeli society and is a direct result of government actions that have fractured society and neglected civilian concerns. He called for urgent intervention from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the issue, warning that the current government’s priorities are exacerbating the problem and undermining Zionist values.

Cambodia has taken a monumental leap in its aviation and economic development with the inauguration of the Techo International Airport on October 20, 2025. Prime Minister Hun Manet, accompanied by First Lady Lok Chumteav Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet, officially opened the kingdom’s largest and most advanced airport, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s history. The $2.3 billion world-class facility, spanning 2,600 hectares in southern Kandal and Takeo provinces, is strategically located more than 20 kilometers from the capital, Phnom Penh. The Techo International Airport, classified as a 4F-level facility, is designed to enhance air travel and cargo transport, positioning Cambodia as a key hub in Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that the airport reflects Cambodia’s long-term development vision and will serve as a catalyst for attracting tourists, investors, and fostering economic growth. Mao Havannall, Minister of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, highlighted the airport’s role as a critical bridge connecting Cambodia to the global stage, driving tourism, logistics, and economic expansion. The new airport replaces the aging Phnom Penh International Airport, which ceased operations on September 8, 2025. The former airport will be preserved as a reserve runway or transformed into a public park and aviation museum, offering benefits to Phnom Penh residents. The Techo International Airport is poised to redefine Cambodia’s aviation landscape and bolster its position in the global economy.