Israeli Missile Kills Six Humanitarian Aid Workers and Palestinian Driver
Monday, six foreign aid workers with the World Central Kitchen and their Palestinian driver were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The workers were delivering food that had arrived hours earlier in Cyprus, and were struck after crossing into northern Gaza, a region that according to the U.N. has been isolated and pushed to starvation by the Israeli government. The source of the strike has not been confirmed. The Israeli military has not ensured safe passage for aid groups in northern Gaza, and has blocked UNRWA, the U.N.’s agency in Gaza, from entering. UNRWA estimates 173 of its aid workers have been killed in Gaza.
Russian Forces Make Advances on Ukraine’s Eastern Front
The U.K.’s defense intelligence released a report on Saturday that revealed Russia’s continued advancement from the city of Avdiivka, which was captured by Russian forces mid-February. Two more villages, Tonenke and Orlivka, have been taken. The report found that Russia outmatched Ukraine in terms of personnel and munitions, and has been able to replenish 300,000 of their troops a month. Meanwhile $60 billion of aid from the U.S. has been blocked by Republicans. There has been no comment from Ukraine on the U.K.’s assessment, but their Monday update revealed talk of defending the village of Umanske, just four kilometers west of Tonenke.
Iranian Embassy in Syria Bombed
On Monday, the Iranian embassy in Syria was bombed in what is suspected to be an Israeli attack. Iran claims seven military advisors were killed, including three senior commanders. This marks an escalation in the tensions between Israel and Lebanon. The attack had been preceded by Israeli air raids in Syria targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Bezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, and is the result of months-long confrontations at Israel’s border with Lebanon. Iran’s U.N. mission called the attack a “flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the foundational principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises.” Israel has not responded, but The New York Times cited four anonymous Israeli officials acknowledging Israel’s role in the attack.
Germany Becomes Third Country in Europe to Legalize Cannabis
Sunday night into Monday morning, Germans gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to celebrate the legalization of cannabis starting April 1. Music played and people danced as many lit up joints on television. The drug was legalized last month for limited recreational use, and allows adults to cultivate up to three of their own plants. The drug will remain illegal for children under the age of 18, and it will be illegal to smoke near schools and playgrounds. Following Malta and Luxembourg, Germany is now the third country in Europe to legalize cannabis.
Congo Appoints First Female Prime Minister in its History
On Monday the President of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, appointed former planning minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka to be the country’s first female prime minister. This is amidst continued violence in the country’s east — where it borders Rwanda — which has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. As of now, seven million people have been displaced. The conflict has been driven by armed forces that Congo claims have been backed by Rwanda, a claim which has been denied by Rwanda but is corroborated by some U.N. experts. Tuluka gave her first speech following her appointment, promising to work towards peace.
“My thoughts go out to the east and to all corners of the country,” Suminwa Tuluka said.
