标签： Asia

The West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, has witnessed escalating violence and political tensions in recent years. While global attention has largely focused on the conflict in Gaza, the West Bank has become a flashpoint for Israeli military operations, settler violence, and humanitarian crises. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have conducted nearly 7,500 raids on Palestinian towns and villages, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha). These raids, often targeting refugee camps, have resulted in widespread displacement and casualties. The West Bank, home to approximately three million Palestinians and 700,000 Israeli settlers, is divided into three administrative zones under the 1993 Oslo Accords. However, Israel maintains de facto control over the entire territory, with its military operating unchecked. Settler violence has surged, with over 1,400 incidents recorded in 2024 alone, the highest since records began. The Israeli government has also advanced controversial settlement plans, including the E1 Settlement Plan, which aims to connect East Jerusalem with existing settlements, further undermining the possibility of a two-state solution. International condemnation has followed, with the UN and human rights organizations labeling these actions as violations of international law. The Palestinian Authority (PA), led by Mahmoud Abbas, has struggled to maintain control, often collaborating with Israeli forces to suppress dissent. Amidst this turmoil, Palestinian support for Hamas has declined, but dissatisfaction with the PA remains high. The situation in the West Bank remains dire, with thousands displaced, hundreds killed, and the prospects for peace increasingly bleak.

In the midst of escalating violence in Gaza, Palestinian cameraman Sami Dawoud sought refuge in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, after fleeing intensified Israeli bombing in Gaza City. Despite relocating to an area deemed safer, Dawoud and his family faced tragedy when an Israeli air strike hit their tent, killing him and his daughter. Dawoud, described by friends as deeply protective of his family, had been displaced multiple times since the onset of Israel’s military operations in October 2023. His friend and colleague, photographer Yahya Barzaq, recounted Dawoud’s unwavering commitment to his family’s safety, even as they moved from one precarious shelter to another. Barzaq himself met a similar fate, killed in an air strike just days after speaking to Middle East Eye about Dawoud’s death. The strikes have claimed the lives of 1,903 Palestinians in central and southern Gaza since mid-August, according to the Gaza-based Government Media Office. Both Dawoud and Barzaq were respected members of Gaza’s journalist community, their deaths highlighting the peril faced by civilians and media professionals in the conflict. Barzaq, known for his work as a newborn photographer, had documented the lives of children later killed in the war, expressing his anguish over the suffering of Gaza’s youngest residents. The ongoing violence has left countless families displaced and vulnerable, with no safe haven from the relentless bombardment.

In a significant move towards the normalization of bilateral relations, India’s largest budget airline, IndiGo, announced the resumption of direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26. This development comes as part of broader efforts to rebuild ties between India and China, which have been strained since the deadly border clashes in 2020. The Indian foreign ministry emphasized that the reinstatement of direct flights would enhance people-to-people contact and contribute to the gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges. The two nations share a contentious 3,440-kilometer border, with overlapping territorial claims that have historically fueled tensions. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, marked the first fatal confrontation since 1975 and led to a freeze in diplomatic relations. However, over the past year, both countries have engaged in high-level talks and implemented measures to de-escalate border tensions. These include patrolling arrangements along the disputed Himalayan border and the resumption of visa services for Chinese tourists by India. Additionally, China has permitted Indian pilgrims to visit religious sites in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The warming of India-China relations has also been influenced by India’s strained ties with the U.S. under former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. In August, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Delhi, advocating for a partnership rather than rivalry between the two nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit further underscored the commitment to normalizing relations. The resumption of direct flights symbolizes a tangible step towards rebuilding trust and fostering cooperation between the two Asian giants.

A devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the northern coast of Cebu, one of the Philippines’ most populous islands, on the night of September 30, leaving at least 72 people dead and 300 injured. The quake, which occurred in a region already grappling with the aftermath of a fierce typhoon season, has displaced approximately 40,000 people, forcing many to seek temporary shelter in tents and under the open sky. Among the survivors is Arguel Estalicas, a 35-year-old tourism officer from Medellin town, who described the overwhelming fear and dizziness she continues to experience. ‘I still couldn’t process what has happened to us,’ she told the BBC. The earthquake caused widespread destruction, collapsing homes, buildings, and churches, and cracking roads. Social media images showed residents huddled under plastic bags for shelter during light rain, while others slept outdoors, clinging to whatever resources they had. Lourenze Pareja, a 25-year-old community journalist from San Remigio, recounted the chaos he witnessed during the quake, describing his once-vibrant town as now resembling a ‘ghost town.’ The Philippines, located on the geologically unstable ‘Ring of Fire,’ is no stranger to natural disasters. This earthquake is among the deadliest in recent years, following the 2013 Bohol quake that killed over 200 people. Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities working to deliver food, restore power and communication lines, and clear debris. The Philippine military has been deployed to assist in relief efforts, but daily necessities remain scarce. Survivors like Ms. Estalicas and Mr. Pareja remain hopeful, drawing strength from the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, or community cooperation. ‘My only prayer is that help won’t be delayed,’ Mr. Pareja said, urging relief efforts to extend to neighboring municipalities.