Weekly World News

Apr 29, 2024

West Asia/Middle East:

Surpassing the 200-day mark, Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip has led to a confirmed death toll of 34,454 people. However, other reports suggest the death toll is much higher due to unreported casualties in areas where Gaza’s health care and humanitarian system have collapsed. The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor places the death toll at 42,510, including 10,091 women and 15,780 children. Additionally, a sharp increase in temperatures in the Gaza Strip poses a direct threat to Palestinians suffering from disease, starvation, and dehydration. Israel’s siege and blockade have led to a severe food crisis in Gaza, including famine conditions in the North, where humanitarian supplies are particularly scarce. The worst affected are children, infants, and those with health-threatening conditions, such as cancer, chronic diseases, and pregnant women. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes continue to kill large numbers of Gazans, targeting civilian homes and infrastructure. Israeli strikes on the refugee city of Rafah killed 15 this week, as over one million Gazans seeking refuge in the city brace for a promised Israeli invasion. An investigation conducted by NBC News concluded that Israeli forces conducted deadly strikes in areas previously designated safe zones. Victims of the Israeli operation in the city of Khan Younis continue to be uncovered at a mass grave at the Al Nasser Medical Complex. Over 400 bodies have been unearthed, the majority of which are women and children, and some of which had their hands and feet bound, according to the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, more commonly known as the Houthis, damaged an oil tanker and downed an American drone as part of their military campaign against Israeli assets and allies in the region. The Houthis claimed responsibility for a direct missile hit on the British Andromeda Star oil tanker in the Red Sea. The ship reportedly received minor damages and continued on its route after that. The group also announced attacks against Israeli and US ships this week, as well as an attack on targets in the Israeli port of Eilat. The Houthis vowed to continue their attacks as long as Israel continues its assault on the Gaza Strip.

Europe:

Ukrainian forces have reportedly withdrawn from 3 villages as Russian forces advance Westward in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions. Ukraine cites a lack of weapons and ammunition as it awaits military aid from a recent United States foreign aid bill, signed by President Biden on Wednesday. Ukrainian military leadership faces criticism for failing to accurately report the realities on the battlefield, while Ukrainian Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged that “the situation at the front has escalated.”

North America:

Across the United States, pro-Palestinian protests at colleges and universities have led to mass arrests and the usage of rubber bullets and tear gas. Protestors have staged tent encampments in solidarity with Gaza and called on their respective universities to divest from companies that finance or do business with the state of Israel. However, the universities have not shown signs of meeting the protestors’ demands, and instead many have called on police forces to remove the protestors, leading to at least 900 arrests nationwide. At Los Angeles University, pro-Palestinian protestors clashed with pro-Israeli protestors, surpassing a barrier placed to separate the two. Some graduation events have been canceled and classes moved online as universities grapple with how best to address the protests.

Africa:

United States forces announced their partial withdrawal from the Central African nation of Chad, which had previously partnered with American forces to combat Islamic insurgency plaguing the area. Following a coup in Chad last year, the presence of United States troops in Chad has come under increasing scrutiny by the new junta-led government
.