International
New attacks by Israel kill at least 19 Gazans in 24 hours, not counting dozens that do not reach the morgues
New Israeli attacks killed at least 19 Palestinians in the last day in the Gaza Strip, which increased the number of deaths to 44,382 in the last year, according to data from this Saturday from the Gaza Ministry of Health, although emergency teams denounce that they are not able to recover bodies from the besieged northern Gaza.
“The Israeli occupation committed 4 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, causing 19 martyrs and 72 injuries who arrived at hospitals during the last 24 hours,” details the ministry’s statement, which in turn denounces that there are new victims who are still under the rubble and more than 105,000 injured.
At least seven Gazatis died this Saturday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Al Rimal neighborhood, in the center of the northern city of Gaza, where there are still people under the rubble, according to sources from the Palestinian agency Wafa.
In addition, a worker of the emergency services of the Gaza Civil Defense died in another attack against homes in the besieged Yabalia camp, denounced this organization, who was identified as Muhamad Zuhair al Sharbasi.
With the death of Al Sharbasi, there are already 88 technicians and health workers of this organization murdered since October 2023, the local Civil Defense denounced in a statement.
Also today, another five Gazati, including three employees of the NGO World Central Kitchen, died in the bombing of a civilian vehicle on the Salah al Din road, at the height of Jan Yunis, local sources reported, in an event that the Israeli Army is investigating, after assuring that a militiaman was traveling in the vehicle.
Israel kills more than 40 people in northern Gaza
The Israeli army attacks a building that housed displaced people and kills more than 40 people in the besieged northern Gaza Strip.
“The Israeli occupation army intensified its bombings against homes in the north of the Gaza Strip, bombing today a house that housed displaced people,” the organization said in a statement.
The attack occurred in the area of Tal Al Zaatar, north of Gaza, and according to Civil Defense rescuers, there are still victims under the rubble, given the impossibility of mobilizing ambulances due to insecurity.
Dozens are still under the rubble, according to the Gaza Civil Defense, after their houses were bombed by the Army in Jabalia during the last two days, in attacks that caused about 70 deaths, according to this organization.
The Israeli military siege that suffers the north of Gaza
Due to the military siege of northern Gaza, which today turns 58 days and has caused about 2,700 deaths in Yabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia, decomposing bodies have been lying in the streets for days, an investigation by the Israeli media +972 denounced yesterday, and rescue teams are not able to help the victims.
Already on November 26, the Gaza Civil Defense teams announced that they will not be able to continue operating in the Gaza governorate, where the Gazan capital is located, due to the Israeli refusal to allow the entry of fuel necessary for its ambulances.
It is estimated that between Thursday and Friday about 70 Gazans died in Beit Lahia alone in multiple attacks, 18 of them yesterday in a “double” Israeli bombing first against a building with refugees, and moments later, by attacking the group of citizens who approached to provide help, according to local sources.
On Thursday, in another attack against a residential building with five families, local sources estimated about fifty dead, after losing contact with five brothers, their wives, children and other displaced Gazans.
Israel kills 5 Palestinians, 3 of them WCK workers
A new attack by Israel has killed five Palestinians, including three workers of the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK).
An Israeli drone attacked his vehicle in the city of Jan Younis, south of Gaza; eight months after the Israeli attack that killed seven of its employees in April.
According to a witness told EFE, while securing the convoy with humanitarian aid, some bandits tried to seize merchandise, when an Israeli drone shot at the back of one of the trucks. Then, several people approached to help and the drones launched another missile against the SUV where the workers were traveling, who carried the logo of the NGO of Spanish chef José Andrés.
Among the dead employees is the person in charge of the community kitchens in the east of Jan Yunis of the WCK, a driver and the evaluation and monitoring manager, according to local sources that located the event on the Salah al Din road, in the area of Satar al Sharqi in the northeast of Jan Yunis.
The Israeli Army confirmed, hours later, having attacked a vehicle in which, it says, a militiaman was traveling after receiving “credible intelligence information about his location in real time.”
“The claim that the terrorist was at the same time a WCK worker is being investigated,” adds the military statement, which adds that the civilian vehicle did not use badges and its movement “was not coordinated for the transport of aid.”
WCK interrupts its operations in Gaza after another Israeli attack
The NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK), of Spanish chef José Andrés, announced that it would stop operating in Gaza after the Israeli attack on one of its vehicles, in which according to local media three of its local employees have died, one of them identified as a Hamas militiaman by the Israeli Army.
“World Central Kitchen had no knowledge that any of the people traveling in the vehicle had alleged links to the Hamas attack on October 7,” the organization said today in a statement in X, following the Army’s accusation that one of the workers was a militiaman who participated in the October 7 attacks.
“Our hearts are with our colleagues and their families at this unimaginable time,” the NGO added.
Attack on humanitarian organizations
Islamic factions in Gaza denounced in a statement that “this crime reveals dangerous aspects and horrible violations related to the objectives of the war of extermination and is linked to depriving the population of the besieged area of obtaining food, water and medicine.”
“These repeated crimes that target humanitarian organizations, relief associations, food preparation and distribution centers and aid convoys are direct messages of threat and terror to all agencies active in humanitarian work,” the text regrets.
On April 2, seven other WCK workers died in a triple Israeli attack against their humanitarian convoy when they left a warehouse in Deir al Balah, central Gaza, despite having coordinated their movements with the Israeli Army.
Three days later, the Army said it was a “mistake” to believe that two armed Hamas militiamen were traveling in the vehicle. Palestinian Saifeddin Ayad Abutaha, Australian Lalzawmi Frankcom, Polish Damian Soból, Canadian-American Jacob Flickinger and British John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby died.
Although it was perfectly identified, the caravan was hit by three missiles fired by a drone, which was “a serious violation of the orders and standard operating procedures of the Israel Defense Force,” the military investigation concluded, which ended those responsible.
Hamas delegation in Cairo to address the ceasefire
A delegation from the Islamist group Hamas arrived this Saturday in Cairo to hold a series of meetings with Egyptian mediators and with leaders of the secular Palestinian movement Fatah to address “issues related” to a truce in Gaza, sources close to the talks informed EFE.
According to the informants, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, the Hamas delegation is headed by the acting head of the Islamist movement in Gaza, Jalil al Hayya, to also discuss a possible hostage exchange agreement for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
These negotiations will also be attended by Fatah officials, according to a source from this party from Cairo, who pointed out that the objective is to discuss an “Egyptian initiative to resume negotiations for a ceasefire,” as well as reconciliation between the different Palestinian factions.
The intention is to “address new ideas to formulate a proposal to end the war” and exchange hostages in the hands of Hamas for Palestinian prisoners, according to the source, who said that the Islamist group and Fatah refuse to “separate the West Bank from the Gaza Strip” in negotiations with Israel.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
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