Doctors Without Borders says two family members of its staff have died in Israeli raids that left at least 14 people dead and several injured between Khan Yunis and Rafah last night. Netanyahu warns that the hostages cannot be released “at any price.” The USA distances itself from Lula's statements, which compared Israel's war in the Gaza Strip to the Nazi Holocaust. Solidarity with the Brazilian president instead from Colombia and Bolivia. The summit of G20 foreign ministers will take place today and tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro, which Blinken and Lavrov will also take part in
Navalny's mother is suing in Moscow, hearing on March 4th
A court in Russia's far north will next month hear a complaint from the mother of former opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who was prevented from seeing her son's body, her staff announced today. Lyudmila Navalnaya traveled to the remote IK-3 prison where her son died, but has been banned from seeing the body since her arrival on Saturday. According to the Tass news agency, the court has received a complaint about “unlawful acts” and the hearing will take place behind closed doors. Officials said the court in the Arctic city of Salekhard would hear the case on March 4.
Amb. Israel, let us listen carefully to Tajani's words
“Minister Antonio Tajani is a friend of Israel, he has demonstrated his friendship in both actions and words, both before and during the war in Gaza. We must listen carefully to what he tells us. I agree that our efforts must continue to focus on reducing the number of civilian casualties in Gaza by increasing the level of assistance. Hamas, on the other hand, uses civilians as human shields and denies them access to help. It is a difficult situation.” This was said by Israeli Ambassador to Italy Alon Bar in a speech on Rai Radio1’s Ping Pong program.
Israel: Report on Hamas sexual violence released
A detailed report on the sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas militants on their victims in Israel (and later on some hostages) on October 7 was released today by the Israeli Association for the Support of Victims of Sexual Assault (Igud1202). Based on direct testimony and interviews, the report said that “Hamas terrorists have resorted to sadistic practices to increase humiliation and terror through sexual abuse.” When presenting the report, local media advise not to make the content available to minors or sensitive persons.”
Among Polish farmers there are those who praise Putin
Polish farmers block the border and hold a banner calling on Putin to restore order in Kiev and Brussels. According to the Polish authorities, the farmer who demonstrated with this banner praising Putin was accused of hate incitement and an official investigation was launched. Poland's Interior Ministry said the controversial banner was quickly removed by police.
Ukraine, the 27 EU countries approve the new sanctions against Russia
EU ambassadors have just reached an agreement in principle on the 13th sanctions package related to Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Belgian presidency made this clear by clarifying that the package is “one of the most comprehensive approved by the EU”. It will now undergo a written procedure and will be officially approved on February 24th
“Talks progress, Hamas softens position”
According to the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, citing diplomatic sources, “there is progress in talks between Egypt and Hamas on the hostage deal.” Hamas has softened its positions and Egypt is working to reach agreement with the Israeli delegation in will arrive in Cairo in the next few hours to achieve similar flexibility.”
FT: Trump loses 200,000 donors compared to 2019
Donald Trump entered the 2024 election year with about 200,000 fewer donors than in his previous presidential campaign four years ago, raising questions about his fundraising machine even as the bills consume his war chest.
Trump's campaign and its associated campaign committees (PACs) attracted about 516,000 donors in the second half of last year, compared with 740,000 during the same period of his previous run for the White House, according to an analysis of recent data by the Financial Times.
President Joe Biden had 473,000 donors in the second half of 2023 – fewer than his likely rival in this year's race for the White House, but nearly twice as many as in the second half of 2019, when Biden was vying for the Democratic nomination.
Trump and groups affiliated with him raised $189 million from donors in 2023, while Biden raised $202 million from a smaller donor base.
Situation in China and Gaza more dangerous after US veto at the United Nations
The US decision to veto the UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza has brought the conflict into an “even more dangerous” situation. This was stated by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, recalling that Beijing “voted for the draft resolution.” While the US vetoed it again, this pushed the situation in Gaza into an even more dangerous situation.
NGO: Israeli attack in Damascus is a targeted assassination
The attack on Damascus in the Kafr Suze district attributed to Israel targeted a building used as an operational headquarters by Iran's Pasdaran and Lebanon's Hezbollah. This was reported by the National Observatory for Human Rights in Syria, according to which the attack was a targeted assassination attempt against one or more Iranian figures or personalities associated with Iran.
Syrian media: Israeli attack on Damascus district
Syrian media reports that Israeli forces have launched an attack on a neighborhood of Damascus.
Tunisian lawyers sue Israel for genocide
The president of the Tunisian National Bar Association, Hatem Meziou, announced that he had filed a lawsuit against Israel “for genocide and war crimes against the Palestinian people” at the International Criminal Court (ICC). “The order’s legal team held a working session with representatives of the Victim Support Center for this purpose,” Meziou said, Tap news agency reported. The Tunisian Bar Association has called for the case to be brought to court. It condemns the ongoing massacre of Palestinians, their forced displacement and the siege of the Gaza Strip, while blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid. According to the order, Meziou traveled to The Hague last Sunday to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court against the “Zionist entity” for war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian people, a statement said.
Survey: In the EU, only 10% believe Moscow will defeat
Support for Ukraine among Europeans remains strong, but almost two years after the invasion, only about 10% of the population believe Russia can be defeated, according to a Europe-wide poll published in the Guardian. At this point, according to the study commissioned by the think tank European Council on Foreign Relations (Ecfr), the most likely end to the conflict will involve a “compromise agreement”, which will require a more “realistic” approach on the part of politicians, therefore focused on defining what that is , what an acceptable peace actually means. “To justify continued European support for Ukraine, EU leaders need to change the way they talk about the war,” said Mark Leonard, co-author of the Ecfr poll. The survey shows that pessimism about the outcome of the war is fueled by a Ukrainian counteroffensive that has not produced the expected results, growing fears of a change in US policy and the prospect of a second term for American President Donald Trump . Across all countries, the poll found the most widespread opinion, shared by an average of 37% of respondents, is that the war will end with a “compromise agreement,” although some countries are more positive about this outcome than others. When it comes to aid to Ukraine, respondents in Sweden (50%), Portugal (48%) and Poland (47%) are more likely to say Europe should continue to provide military support to the country, while respondents in Hungary (64%) and Greece are more likely to say that Europe should continue to support the country militarily (59%), while Italy (52%) and Austria (49%) prefer to press Kiev to accept an agreement. Opinions are more evenly divided in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.
The G20 summit begins today
Netanyahu warns that the hostages cannot be released “at any price.” The USA distances itself from Lula's statements, which compared Israel's war in the Gaza Strip to the Nazi Holocaust. Solidarity with the Brazilian president instead from Colombia and Bolivia. Today and tomorrow the G20 foreign ministers' summit will take place in Rio de Janeiro, which Blinken and Lavrov will also take part in.
Ukraine: First Ukrainian drivers ready for F16 in summer
A first group of four Ukrainian pilots will complete the training program on F-16 fighter jets this summer, CNN reports, citing the Arizona National Guard.
Israel: another soldier dead, total rises to 237
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced yesterday the death of a soldier in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip. This brings the number of soldiers killed in the ground offensive against Hamas to 237. The victim is 21-year-old Sergeant Avraham Wovagen from Netanya, who belongs to the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade. According to the IDF, he was killed in clashes with Hamas militants. Three more soldiers were seriously injured yesterday in the north of the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli army said.
West Bank: Israeli tank destroys memorial to Palestinian dead
A video published by Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera shows an Israeli military bulldozer destroying a memorial to Palestinian victims near the West Bank town of Tubas. Al Jazeera highlights that, according to international law scholars, the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage during a conflict can constitute a war crime. The Arabic broadcaster reports that Israeli bulldozers destroyed a monument to former Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Tulkarem, also in the West Bank, in November.
Gaza: Two family members of MSF workers were killed in an attack on Israel
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said two family members of its staff were killed in an Israeli bomb attack on a shelter near Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip last night.
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