INTERNATIONAL

In a significant breakthrough, Qatar announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, set to begin on Sunday, alongside a phased exchange of hostages and prisoners. This tentative deal offers a glimmer of hope to a region devastated by 15 months of relentless violence that has left over 38,000 Palestinians dead, including more than 15,000 children, and displaced the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, with nearly 90% of schools damaged or destroyed, disrupting education for over 625,000 students, while thousands of mosques, churches, homes, and cultural landmarks have been obliterated. Less than half of Gaza’s hospitals remain operational, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis marked by acute shor...

Over a year has passed since Mohammad Amin Sheikh, a resident of Hajinar Karnah in Kupwara district, began his heartbreaking journey to locate his son, Zahoor Sheikh. According to KNS, Zahoor went missing after being reportedly deceived into joining the Russian army and sent to the Russia-Ukraine warzone. Despite relentless efforts, Sheikh's appeals to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Russian Embassy, and other authorities have yielded no answers. Zahoor, 27, last contacted his family on December 31, 2023, informing them he was about to start training and would be unavailable for three months. Soon after, rumors about Indian men dying in the war began circulating. Attempts to reach Zahoor failed, leaving his family in a state of despair. “He wanted a better life. ...

At least 32 people lost their lives, and 38 were injured after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Nepal-Tibet border on Tuesday, according to some media reports. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the earthquake occurred at 6:35 AM (IST), with its epicentre at latitude 28.86 degrees North and longitude 87.51 degrees East, at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located in Xizang (Tibet Autonomous Region), near the Nepal border. Xinhua news agency reported that 32 people in the city of Xizang were killed and 38 others were injured when the earthquake struck the region. Additionally, many house collapses were reported in Tonglai Village, located in Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze, also known as Shigatse. The earthquake also sent tremors acro...

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has reported that one child is killed every hour in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the UNRWA said, "No place for children. Since the beginning of the war, 14,500 children have been reported killed in Gaza according to UNICEF. One child gets killed every hour. These are not numbers. These are lives cut short." The agency emphasized that the killing of children cannot be justified. "Those who survive are scarred physically and emotionally. Deprived of learning, boys and girls in Gaza sift through the rubble," it said. "The clock is ticking for these children. They are losing their lives, their futures, and mostly their hope," the statement added. Meanwhile, Gaza-based health authorities an...

Israel has escalated its airstrikes against Syrian military installations, carrying out 24 raids in the countryside of Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The strikes reportedly targeted tunnel-equipped facilities carved into mountainsides, as detailed by the war monitor on Saturday. This latest assault raises the total number of Israeli airstrikes on Syria to 426 since the collapse of the Syrian government on December 8, affecting 13 provinces across the country. Israeli officials claim these operations aim to prevent advanced weapons from "falling into the hands of terrorist elements." Among the latest targets were a missile base atop Mount Qasyun in Damascus, a southern airport in Sweida province, and defense and research facilities in Masyaf, Ham...

Amid escalating conflict in Gaza, India has reiterated its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Palestine issue, emphasizing a two-state solution. Responding to questions raised by MPs Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Raja A in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) outlined India’s diplomatic efforts and humanitarian contributions in the region. The government expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed the importance of ensuring timely and sustained delivery of aid to Palestinians. Since the onset of the conflict, India has sent 70 metric tonnes of humanitarian aid, including 16.5 metric tonnes of medical supplies, and contributed $10 million over two years to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). ...

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria, including 44 residents of Jammu Kashmir, following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The rescued group, including Kashmiri pilgrims stranded at Saida Zainab, has been transported to Lebanon, with arrangements underway for their return to India. The MEA urged remaining Indian nationals in Syria to stay in contact with the Indian Embassy for updates. The evacuation has brought relief to families of the pilgrims, who were stranded as Syria plunged into turmoil after Assad fled to Russia.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq have strongly criticized Israel’s recent land seizure near the occupied Golan Heights, calling it a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and international law. The condemnation follows large-scale Israeli attacks across Syria, including strikes on key military infrastructure and airports. Israeli forces have carried out extensive airstrikes targeting three major airports and other strategic military sites, including in the capital, Damascus. The offensive marks a sharp escalation in Israel’s military campaign following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by opposition forces. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military actions, stating they were necessary to address emerging threats near Israel’s borders. However, UN peacekeep...

Israeli ground forces have entered Syrian territory for the first time since the 1973 October War, advancing beyond the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, Israeli officials confirmed. The move follows the takeover of several regions by HTS, triggering fears of escalating instability in the region. Israeli forces reportedly seized the summit of Mount Hermon and other key locations to stabilize control near the border. While Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi acknowledged the troop movement, he did not provide further details. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the decision was made to prevent “hostile forces” from taking positions near the Israeli border, calling the deployment a "temporary defensive measure." Israeli forces also impos...

In a continued campaign attributed to Israel, the Syrian government has reported that an airstrike targeted a border crossing near the Syrian city of al-Qusayr, allegedly used for arms transfers to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This marks another strike in what Syria has described as a multi-year Israeli campaign that has claimed the lives of civilians and soldiers alike. Syrian officials condemned the attack, stating that such strikes violate international norms and escalate tensions in the region. "This is part of Israel's ongoing aggression that disregards the sovereignty of nations and has led to the deaths of innocent civilians and our soldiers over the years," said a Syrian military representative. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, asserting that the targeted ...