Ramadan begins in Gaza amid famine
Ramadan began Sunday, but in Gaza, famine has endangered Palestinians’ hopes for the fast. Since the start of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza Oct. 7, destruction of food infrastructure and blockades of humanitarian aid have created famine conditions. According to CNN, at least 27 people have died of starvation during the war, including infants. As of February, the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Phase Classification, which analyzes global food insecurity, placed 21 percent of Gazans in the “crisis” level of malnutrition, 53 percent in “emergency,” and 26 percent in “catastrophe.” Conditions are worst in northern Gaza, which was the focus of early Israeli military offenses, and where the World Health Organization estimates child malnutrition is three times higher than in the south.
Gang violence in Haiti forces Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation
Haitian Acting Prime Minister and Acting President Ariel Henry has announced his resignation after gangs in the capital city Port-au-Prince set fire to the National Palace and forced him into effective exile. Returning from a visit to the U.S., Henry’s plane has been trapped in Puerto Rico after gangs also attacked the airport and demanded his resignation. Gangs now control over 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, according to the U.N., and violence has gotten worse since a mass prison outbreak last week and the near-collapse of the country’s medical system. Gangs have run rampant in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, and despite hopes for a new transitional government, gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier has said that the gang alliance Viv Ansanm will not recognize any such government.
Dutch election winner Geer Wilders fails to form far-right government
Politician Geer Wilders, whose far-right Freedom Party won the most seats in the Netherlands’ parliamentary election last year, announced Thursday that he would not be the country’s next Prime Minister. He would have needed to form a majority coalition with other major right-wing parties in the Dutch parliament, but he failed to reach an agreement with these parties. Wilders is one of the best-known leaders of the Netherlands’ right wing, as well as one of the most extreme: his campaign promises included ending immigration and asylum for Muslims, withdrawing support for Ukraine, and holding a referendum to withdraw from the E.U. The election shook Europe as the traditionally liberal country joined the recent ranks of European countries electing far-right leaders, although now the makeup of the Netherlands’ next government is uncertain.
Russian presidential elections begin today
Russia’s presidential elections begin today and will end Sunday. Russia’s elections have long been rigged, meaning that President Vladimir Putin is set to win what will be his fifth term. Putin’s government suppresses real political opposition; Putin’s biggest political opponent, Aleksei Navalny, died last month in prison. Despite the lack of opposition, the election is still an important moment for Putin to try to demonstrate popular support for his regime amid the controversial war on Ukraine.
