israel hamas war

In a decisive military operation, Israel has taken out Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed chief of Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades, who played a crucial role in the October 7 assaults. This action is part of a broader campaign targeting Hamas leadership figures like Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh.

Donald Trump's Board of Peace, established to aid Gaza's reconstruction, has received zero dollars in its official fund despite billions pledged by member nations. Donations are reportedly being directed to a JPMorgan account lacking independent transparency requirements, impacting plans for a US-backed Palestinian administration.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged some responsibility for the October 7th security failures, stating accountability rests with "everyone" across the establishment. He emphasized focusing on post-attack events and Iran's broader threat, asserting he was previously a restrained leader. The offensive in Gaza has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and destruction.

Israel is moving towards elections faster than expected, Netanyahu's coalition is cracking, and polls suggest his bloc is short of a governing majority. Does that mean the end of the road for Israel's longest-serving prime minister?

Israel's parliament has greenlit a special tribunal to try and sentence to death Palestinians convicted in the October 7th Hamas-led attack. The bill, passed overwhelmingly, aims to punish those responsible for the deadliest assault in Israel's history. Rights groups, however, voice concerns over fair trial procedures and the ease of imposing the death penalty.

In a bold move, Israel has expelled two foreign activists, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, who were intercepted during their participation in a Gaza-bound flotilla. Advocates for human rights have denounced this decision, labeling it as a deliberate strike against a peaceful initiative.

US President Donald Trump is pushing several Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords and recognize Israel as part of a potential Iran deal. Experts, however, deem the plan unrealistic, citing the Gaza war's impact on Arab public opinion and the persistent demand for Palestinian statehood. Pakistan has already publicly rejected the proposal.

Amidst the devastation in Gaza, a community of digital freelancers is finding income and escape through remote work. Programmers and designers connect with international clients, rebuilding skills and livelihoods amidst the ongoing crisis. Driven by the desire to earn for their family and not depend on humanitarian aid, they compete in the global market despite struggling for basic facilities.

Israel has deployed Iron Dome missile defence systems and operators to the UAE, bolstering regional security amid ongoing tensions with Iran. This move highlights a deepening defence partnership between the two nations. The deployment remains as a fragile ceasefire holds, but concerns persist over the Strait of Hormuz and stalled US-Iran negotiations.

Defence analysts warn the issue is not just the quantity of weapons today but the speed at which industry can regenerate what has been used. A single week of heavy combat in either theatre can consume months of production output for certain precision munitions and interceptors. This has transformed a temporary logistical challenge into a broader strategic concern.

European Union foreign ministers have imposed new sanctions on Israeli settlers and organizations for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, ending Hungary's previous blockade. This move, targeting extremist settler groups and their leaders, comes amid rising violence and settlement expansion. Israel has condemned the sanctions, calling them morally bankrupt and antisemitic.

The European Union was expected Monday to agree new sanctions on Israeli settlers over violence against Palestinians, the bloc's top diplomat said, as a change of government in Hungary ends months of blockage. "I expect political agreement on the sanctions on violent settlers, hopefully we will get there," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers.

The United Nations condemned on Tuesday the toll from "escalating" Israeli military operations and settler attacks in the occupied West Bank on children, with 70 Palestinian children killed since the start of 2025. Since the start of 2025, when Israel began a large-scale military operation in the West Bank, "at least one Palestinian child has been killed on average every single week" there, adding that another 850 children had been injured during that period.

Iran has presented a list of demands for a ceasefire with the US. These include lifting sanctions, compensation for damages, and the withdrawal of American troops. President Trump has rejected these terms as unacceptable. The standoff has impacted global oil markets and heightened regional tensions. Diplomatic efforts continue amidst ongoing clashes.

Israel's Navy successfully intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying activists near Crete, preventing any vessels from reaching Palestinian shores. Prime Minister Netanyahu commended the operation, stating all participants were turned back. The US State Department backed Israel's actions, calling the flotilla a counterproductive stunt organized by a pro-Hamas entity.

Iran and the US remain locked in a standoff, with Iran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz and the US imposing a naval blockade. Both actions disrupt global commons, while escalating rhetoric and social media influence commodity prices worldwide. India, heavily reliant on regional energy flows, faces significant economic fallout from this 'dual blockade'.

Israel's alleged hacking of Tehran's street cameras for assassinations highlights a grave vulnerability in India's extensive, often insecure CCTV networks. With AI amplifying risks, these systems, including those with Chinese components, could be weaponised by foreign intelligence agencies, posing a significant threat to national security and critical infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump lauded India as a "great country" with a "very good friend at the top," following a controversial social media repost that disparaged India and China. The US Embassy clarified Trump's positive remarks, while India's MEA acknowledged the reports. The repost criticized immigration, alleging bias and a lack of loyalty from certain immigrant groups.