Weekly World News
West Asia/Middle East:
Amidst their military assault on the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces are shifting their focus to the border city of Rafah, where over 1.4 million Gazans now take refuge, with many sleeping in tents, makeshift shelters, or out in the open. Israel has begun intensifying strikes against the city, causing particularly high daily casualties. A collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system also means that the injured are often left unattended, causing many to die of their wounds. An Israeli assault on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis left the facility without supply of oxygen or electricity. 8 patients of the hospital have since died, adding to a death toll that has reached 28,985, with over 68,000 injured and an unknown number buried under the rubble. Additionally a critical lack of food supplies has left Gaza on the brink of famine. Human rights groups report that remaining populations in the North are already experiencing famine conditions and 71% of Gazans face extreme hunger. Subsequent widespread malnutrition coupled with unsanitary conditions leave Gazans vulnerable to illness and disease. Overall, indirect casualties are steadily increasing, often going unreported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces increasing criticism from his allies, including US President Joe Biden, who urged Netanyahu to organize an evacuation plan for civilians in Rafah before commencing his offensive into the city.
Europe:
Ukrainian forces announced their withdrawal from the strategic town of Avdiivka, a main target of Russian offensive assaults on the fortified Ukrainian line. Avdiivka is positionally important due to its role as an integral part of Ukraine's long defensive line that stretches from Kherson in the South to Kharkiv in the North. The loss of Avdiivka is predicted to weaken that line, providing Russian forces with the opportunity to push farther westward. Its position also facilitated Ukraine’s shelling of the city of Donetsk. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky announced the withdrawal on social media, describing the move as necessary to avoid heavy casualties and encirclement, referring to the “pincer movements” of Russian forces that it has used to capture Ukrainian towns and cities. US President Joe Biden blamed the loss on Republicans in congress who have blocked further military and financial support for Ukraine.
North America:
The United States House of Representatives held a historic and successful vote to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, the first time a cabinet secretary has been impeached since 1876. The vote was a narrow 214-213, with 3 Republicans joining all Democrats to form the minority. Republicans blame Mayorkas for an immigration crisis at the United States’ southern border, filing impeachment articles that accuse him of “refusing to comply with Federal immigration laws” and violating “public trust.” President Joe Biden and other Democrats criticized the move as a political stunt, while House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed impeachment was necessary for what he claimed is an “exceptional case in US history.”
Sources:
Website - https://liveuamap.com/
Channel - https://t.me/SputnikInt_unc2
Channel - https://t.me/ukraine_watch
Channel - https://t.me/eyeonpal
Channel - https://t.me/QudsNen
Article - https://www.rt.com/russia/592574-ukraine-withdrawal-zvdeevka-syrsky/?ysclid=lssakqdnna300670637
Article - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/us/politics/biden-congress-avdiivka.html
Article - https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mayorkas-impeachment-vote-house-representatives.amp
