Weekly World News

Mar 25, 2024

West Asia/Middle East:

Israel’s continued assault on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 32,663 people, while thousands more remain buried under the rubble and other deaths from lack of food, water, and medical supplies go unreported due to a collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. 1.1 million Gazans are now starving as the entire population faces the immediate risk of a deadly famine. This week, Israel announced it would disallow food supplies from entering the North via the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which has faced accusation for the participation of several of its workers in Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel. Israeli forces began an assault on the Al Shifa Hospital this week, killing hundreds of Palestinians, including unlawful executions, according to the Euro-Med Human Rights Organization. Witnesses also reported the rape of a pregnant woman by Israeli soldiers. Israel has vowed to continue its assault into the border city of Rafah, where over 1.3 million Palestinians seek refuge.

A United States resolution in the UN Security Council addressing the crisis in Gaza was vetoed by permanent members Russia and China. The resolution condemned Hamas’s October 7th attack, condemned Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, called for the release of captives, and stated the need for an immediate 6-week ceasefire to allow the flow of humanitarian aid. Representatives of Russia and China criticized the resolution for failing to prevent an Israeli offensive into Rafah and not expressively demanding a ceasefire, rather speaking of the “imperative” need for a secession of hostilities. Algeria joined Russia and China in opposition and Guyana abstained. Russia and China are currently drafting a new resolution that faces the challenge of a potential US veto.

Europe:

137 people were killed and 182 others injured when gunmen opened fire in a concert hall in the Russian capital of Moscow. The gunmen then proceeded to utilize explosives, setting the hall ablaze and causing many to die amidst the fire and smoke. The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), a branch of the Islamic State based in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the attack, and 4 Tajik men were arrested and charged with committing acts of terror by prosecutors before a Russian court. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of facilitating the passage of the perpetrators through a window in the Ukrainian border, but Ukraine has denied any responsibility. Putin also declared a day of national mourning, as Russian flags were lowered and vigils were held across the country. World leaders from various countries expressed their condolences for the victims and condemnations of the attack. The United States embassy in Russia sent out a notice a week prior to the attack warning US citizens to avoid large gatherings and concerts due to the possibility of terrorist activity. US officials claim they informed Russian authorities of the possible attack, but did not specify upon what intelligence their warnings were based on.

Caribbean:

Over 33,000 people have fled as violence erupts in the Caribbean nation of Haiti amidst the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the rise of gangs swiftly destabilizing the country’s security and stability. Armed gangs have stormed prisons, police stations, and wealthy neighborhoods, killing an unknown number of people. Hundreds of American citizens and personnel have been evacuated from areas of intense violence. Caribbean leaders have formed a council to determine an interim prime minister and a pathway to restoring order.

Sources:

Channel - https://t.me/geopolitics_live