Hamas is ready to sign a cease-fire “immediately” with Israel in Gaza, and without adding new conditions, as reported by Al Jazeera. This announcement, which came after a meeting in Doha with senior representatives of Qatar and Egypt, could represent a glimmer of hope in the midst of a devastating conflict. However, the situation in Gaza It's alarming: recent bombings Israelis inflicted heavy damage, even hitting a shelter school and causing numerous casualties among UNRWA workers and Palestinian civilians. The Gaza Civil Defense reported 14 deaths in another raid, while Israel claims it targeted Hamas “terrorists.” With over 41 Palestinians killed and some 95 injured, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached devastating proportions.
Tensions are high even at the gates of Europe. United States , Britain have announced a significant increase in aid to Ukraine, raising questions about the future use of Storm Shadow Missiles. Russia, meanwhile, has stepped up its operations in Kursk and promised “appropriate” responses to any new escalation.
Gaza Attack: 18 Dead at UNRWA School, International Condemnation
Recent Israeli offensives have had devastating effects. An air strike hit a school inUnrwa in Gaza, killing 18 people, included six United Nations employees. This bombing has sparked global condemnation: the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, described the attack as “totally unacceptable” and called for an immediate end to violations of humanitarian law. Guterres' words join appeals from other humanitarian organizations. TheUnicef denounced yet another attack on a protected facility, stressing that children and families are paying the highest price for this crisis. TheWHO called for an urgent ceasefire to ensure humanitarian access and to protect the lives and health of civilians. Both organizations reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire to stop the ongoing horror.
US withdraws aircraft carriers, Emirates evacuates Palestinians
In the context of international reactions, the United States have USS Theodore Roosevelt withdrew aircraft carrier from Middle East, keeping only the USS Abraham Lincoln in the region. This change in US military presence could influence the dynamics of the conflict, reducing the direct influence of the United States in the crisis. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates have evacuated 97 Palestinians injured or sick from Gaza, in an important gesture of humanitarian assistance.
La Germany has taken a firm stance against alleged links to Hamas, banning the Furstenwalde al-Salam Islamic Center (Izf) for its alleged connections to the group and the Muslim Brotherhood. This action reflects broader concerns about the influence of extremist groups and the need to address internal security threats.
Ukraine, new aid from the US and UK. The issue of Storm Shadow missiles remains
- United States , Britain have announced a significant increase in their support for Ukraine, with a promise of nearly $ 1,5 billion in additional aid. During a visit to Kiev of their top diplomats, US Secretary of State Antony blinken and the British Foreign Secretary david lammy have confirmed funding. Blinken announced more than $700 million in humanitarian aid, while Lammy added another $782 million in assistance and loan guarantees. However, the issue of how to use the missiles long-range supplied to Ukraine, in particular those Storm Shadow, to strike targets in Russia.
In fact, according to the Guardian, the United Kingdom has reportedly already secretly authorized Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles for deep-sea strikes in Russia. This decision represents a significant escalation and could expand the scope of Ukrainian operations, increasing tensions with Moscow. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stressed the need to remove restrictions on the use of such weapons to strike legitimate military targets in Moscow.
In the meantime, the Russia promised an “appropriate” response to any new escalation and continues to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region, keeping tensions high in the conflict.
Zelensky criticizes Brazil, China peace plan, raises doubts about G20
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky he expressed profoundly stocks regarding the Peace plan proposed by Brazil and China, saying that the proposal was drafted without Kiev's direct involvement. In an interview with Brazilian media outlet Metrópoles, Zelensky stressed that an effective peace plan must include all parties to the conflict and reflect Ukraine's real needs and concerns.
In addition, Zelensky raised concerns about the possible arrival of Vladimir Putin at the G20 in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the contrast between the international arrest warrant for war crimes issued against the Russian leader and his participation in a high-profile international event. The Ukrainian president warned of the risks that such a presence could pose to the credibility and effectiveness of the ongoing discussions.
Intense clashes in Kursk
On the ground, the situation remains critical. Russian forces have launched a Massive counterattack in Kursk, trying to push back Ukrainian troops and preparing for a possible major offensive. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and Russian military bloggers confirm that the Russian military is trying to isolate Ukrainian forces in this strategic region, increasing pressure on Kiev's troops. Ukrainian losses have been heavy, with the Russian Defense Ministry estimating over 12 thousand Ukrainian soldiers killed since the start of the offensive. Despite the difficulties, Ukraine has won a significant victory: thedejection of a Russian Su-30SM aircraft over the Black Sea. This action, confirmed by Ukrainian intelligence, marks a major success in the ongoing struggle for control of the skies.
