Israeli Army Surrounds Southern Gaza, Khan Younis
60 days into the Israeli incursion into Gaza, Israeli forces have surrounded and invaded Khan Younis, the second largest city of the Gaza Strip. Marking the next phase of the ground offensive against Hamas, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the chief of the general staff of the Israel Defense Forces, stated that the IDF “secured many Hamas strongholds in the northern Gaza Strip, and now [they] are operating against its strongholds in the south.” More than one million Palestinians have been displaced from northern Gaza since Oct. 13, when the Israeli military ordered residents in Khan Younis to evacuate further south within 24 hours. While many go to Rafah, the last shelter left for Palestinians in the south, the area is overwhelmed. Where it normally houses 280,000, there are now over 470,000 displaced peoples. Since Oct. 7, the reported death toll is around 17,000 Palestinians as of Thursday according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Healthcare facilities have faced 203 recorded attacks between Oct. 7 and Nov. 28, according to the World Health Organization.
Future of U.S. Support for Ukraine Uncertain
The White House has warned congressional leaders that the U.S. will run out of funds to send weapons to Ukraine by year’s end, endangering Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Shalanda D. Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote a letter to pressure Republicans resisting additional aid to Ukraine. The White House’s warning follows a critical time in the war, with Ukraine struggling in a counteroffensive against Russian forces. The urgency is heightened as President of Russia Vladimir Putin continues to send more troops to Ukraine, while the Biden administration seeks more aid from Congress.
Republicans have demanded concessions on border policy in exchange for supporting additional aid to Ukraine, leading to a stalemate. On Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked a bill to fund Ukraine, attempting to barter for border restrictions in exchange. The fate of Ukraine aid remains uncertain as Democrats and the White House press Republicans to abandon their border security demands.
Putin Visits the Middle East
On Wednesday, Putin made his way to the Middle East. He spoke with the United Arab Emirates’ president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Saudi Arabia’s prime minister, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have resisted pressure to take sides amidst the Russia–Ukraine war.
First arriving in Abu Dhabi, Putin and Sheikh Mohamed discussed deepening their countries’ partnership to “build bridges of cooperation and development with different countries in the world,” according to the Emirati state news agency.
In Saudi Arabia, the Crown Prince and Putin discussed joint oil production efforts, which has funded Saudi Arabia’s megaprojects — such as The Line and the Red Sea Project — and Russia’s artillery toward the Russia–Ukraine war.
These visits are seen as a move to strengthen alliances amid Western criticism over the Ukraine war, especially with the U.S. government’s eroding support for Ukraine’s war efforts. The talks included discussions on the war in Gaza, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and developments in Ukraine.
Nigeria’s “Bombing Mishap” that Killed 85
Tudun Biri, a village in northern Nigeria, was hit by a drone strike on Sunday, killing at least 85 and injuring at least 66. The Nigerian army claimed responsibility for the attack. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called a conference a few days after the attack and described the event as a “bombing mishap” that was “disturbing and painful.”
This strike was one of the deadliest the Nigerian army has orchestrated in an effort to fight extremist groups and armed gangs that have occupied West African countries for over a decade. Between February 2014 and September 2022, 14 documented incidents of such bombings in residential areas were reported, and over 300 Nigerian citizens were killed prior to Sunday’s attack.
Over the last two years, the Nigerian military has not been held accountable nor given compensation to affected citizens. While there have been no comprehensive investigations, this most recent attack sparked calls for investigation into its attack.
Several Killed in Central Texas Shootings.
Police in Austin, TX have charged Shane James, 34, with capital murder after four people were killed in a series of shootings. The suspect may also be linked to two deaths in the San Antonio area, with further charges pending. The first shooting occurred on Tuesday morning, injuring an Austin school district officer. Subsequent incidents included a double homicide, a shooting of a male cyclist, and an officer-involved shooting with the suspect. The police found bodies in a home linked to the suspect during the pursuit.
The nature of the relationship between the victims and the suspect is unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.
