International
Hamas calls for “escalating the conflict” in the West Bank after an Israeli bombing with 18 dead
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas called on the inhabitants of the West Bank to demonstrate to “escalate the conflict” with Israel, after the Israeli Army claimed to have killed one of its leaders in a bombing against a refugee camp with at least 18 deaths.
“We call on the people of the West Bank to take to the streets in all provinces with massive displays of anger, to work on the escalation of the conflict and the confrontation with the occupation,” said the military wing of Hamas, the al Qassam Brigades, in a statement.
Hamas asks the West Bank to act
The organization stressed the “need to mobilize” on the date, while describing yesterday’s attack on the Tulkarem refugee camp as “a dangerous escalation.”
According to the Israeli Army, the bombing killed the leader of Hamas in Tulkarem, identified as Zahi Yaser Abdel Razaq Awfi, and “other prominent members” of the group, a leader who planned to carry out a “terrorist operation” inside Israel in an “imminent” way.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that at least 18 people died on Thursday and several were injured in an Israeli air strike against the refugee camp, while the Palestinian news agency Wafa said that the bombing took place against a cafeteria.
The Palestinian government appeals to the international community
The Palestinian government called the attack a “atrocious crime” and called on the international community and humanitarian and human rights institutions to take immediate action against Israel.
“This massacre confirms that Israel does not care about international decisions and acts as a criminal force above the law,” he denounced in a statement in reference to the decision of the International Court of Justice that on July 19, declared the Israeli occupation of the West Bank illegal.
The Fatah secular formation, in charge of that Government and in parallel, blamed Israel’s “colonial occupation system” for the massacre, which he called “ethnic cleansing,” and also demanded the action of the international community.
New bombing in Gaza
Hours later, in Gaza, at least three people were killed and several injured in an Israeli bombing in the center of the Strip.
The target of the bombing was a house in Deir al Balah, according to Al Quds al Arabi and Quds News Network media reports.
International
U.S. to Limit Visa Duration for Foreign Students and Journalists
The United States has announced new limits on the legal length of stay for foreign students and journalists, marking the latest tightening of immigration policies under President Donald Trump.
The changes, outlined in an administrative rule published on Thursday, are expected to take effect in September, unless Congress blocks the measure.
Under the new policy, holders of student visas will be allowed to remain in the United States for no more than four years.
Foreign journalists will be limited to 240-day stays—approximately eight months—with the possibility of applying for extensions of the same duration.
The policy imposes even stricter rules on Chinese journalists, whose visas will be capped at 90 days.
More than 100 international news organizations and press freedom groups, including Agence France-Presse (AFP), criticized the measure in an open letter, arguing that it would reduce both the quantity and quality of international coverage of events in the United States.
The Republican Party, led by President Trump, currently holds a majority in Congress and has pledged to curb both illegal immigration and certain forms of legal immigration.
Previously, the United States generally issued student visas for the full duration of an academic program, while foreign journalists could receive visas valid for up to five years.
Central America
Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Italy Over Red Brigades Dispute
The Nicaraguan government announced on Thursday that it is severing diplomatic relations with Italy following criticism from the Italian government over Nicaragua’s long-standing decision to shelter Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the Red Brigades convicted in Italy for the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized the administration of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo on Wednesday for continuing to provide refuge to Casimirri, who was sentenced in Italy to six life terms for his role in Moro’s abduction and killing.
In a statement issued Thursday, Nicaragua’s Foreign Ministry said it was ending all diplomatic relations with Italy, describing Tajani’s remarks as “unjustified, aggressive, and irresponsible.”
Tajani made the comments during a gathering of conservative leaders from Europe and Latin America held in Madrid.
“We have absolutely nothing in common with the positions of extremist governments such as Nicaragua, a country that continues to harbor dangerous Red Brigades terrorists like Alessio Casimirri,” Tajani said, according to Italian media.
The diplomatic break marks a new escalation in tensions between the two countries over the decades-old case involving Casimirri, who has lived in Nicaragua for many years despite repeated calls from Italy for his extradition.
International
U.S. Strikes Hit Areas Near Strait of Hormuz as Tensions With Iran Escalate
Several U.S. strikes targeted areas near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to Iranian state media citing local authorities, as hostilities between the United States and Iran intensified.
Officials in Iran’s Hormozgan Province said the island of Qeshm was struck multiple times by what they described as U.S. missiles during the evening. The reports were carried by the Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim.
Iranian state television also reported that the Bandar Abbas region, located on the Iranian coast overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, was the target of what authorities described as an “enemy U.S. air attack.”
According to local officials quoted by state television, no casualties have been reported following the strikes.
The reported attacks come amid renewed military tensions between Washington and Tehran, although U.S. authorities had not immediately commented on the reported operations.
U.S. to Limit Visa Duration for Foreign Students and Journalists
Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Italy Over Red Brigades Dispute
U.S. Strikes Hit Areas Near Strait of Hormuz as Tensions With Iran Escalate
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