According to a report, a new israeli proposal submitted by mediators based in Qatar is being considered by hamas. Reportedly, the 3 part proposal would begin with a 6 week ceasefire, an isreali withdrawal from populated areas of Gaza. 600 trucks of humanitarian aid entering Gaza per day and an exchange of hostages and palestinian prisoners, eventually leading to the remains of deceased hostages returning to Israel and a reconstruction plan for Gaza.
Gaza
According to a report, israeli officials said hamas have 6 remaining battalions in Gaza, 4 in Rafah and 2 in central Gaza in the Nuseirat and Deir al Balah camps. Reportedly, the isreali defence force said they were conducting targeted airstrikes against hamas in Rafah, 26 people have been killed. Reportedly, israeli tanks have entered Rafah but appear to be limited in scope according to an egyptian official.
According to the report, the idf have asked residents of Rafah to evacuate where 3 of hamas’s battalions are situated. Reportedly, flyers announced the expansion of the humanitarian zone at al-Mawasi and warned civilians not to approach the borders with Israel or Egypt.
Gaza
According to a report, hamas launched a rocket attack killing 3 israeli soldiers near the Karem shalom crossing, one of the main crossings for delivering aid into Gaza. Reportedly, according to the israeli defence force 10 missiles were fired from near Rafah.
According to the report, israeli strikes on Rafah have killed 12 people. Reportedly, the idf are using media, posters, phone calls and texts to ask civilians to move to a designated humanitarian area. According to the report, they have expanded the humanitarian zone at al Mawasi to include field hospitals and tents.
Reportedly, there has been no progress via talks in Cairo but discussions resume on Monday.
Russia Ukraine
According to a report, a russian bomber jet has been shot down over Donetsk. Reportedly, Russia said they have taken control of the town of Ocheretyne, Donetsk.
According to the report, the institute for the study of war said Russia have advanced near Arkhanelske, the latest in a series of villages west of Avdiivka. Reportedly, Ukraine said they have destroyed 23 out of 24 russian drones. According to the report, Russia launched several attacks on and near Kharkiv.
Geneva conventions
According to a report, the Geneva conventions say that combatants who are out of combat for reasons such as surrender, injury or capture are no longer lawful targets for attack. Reportedly, the u.n. said they were told that atleast 32 ukrainian prisoners of war had been executed. According to the report, in March the u.n. said that ukrainian prisoners of war were subject to repeated beatings, electric shocks and mock executions.
Reportedly, according to the u.s. based human rights watch, footage shows 15 surrendering ukrainian soldiers were killed since December 2023. According to the report, they asked for 5 incidents of executions to be investigated as war crimes. Reportedly, hrw said drone footage posted on social media in December and February showed surrendering ukrainian soldiers being shot by russian troops. According to the report, in the village of Ivanivski, Donetsk footage shows atleast 7 ukrainian soldiers removing their weapons and facing down, 5 russian soldiers shot them. Reportedly, hrw were able to differentiate between the troops because ukrainian soldiers wear blue tape on their arms, russians wear white or red.
Strike on camp
According to a report, atleast 9 people including 7 children were killed in an attack on a displacement camp in the Democratic republic of Congo. Reportedly, the drc’s army and m23 blamed each other for the attack. According to reports, the March 23 movement abbreviated m23 is made up of tutsis and operates in the mineral rich eastern region. Reportedly, their rebellion against the congolese government led to the displacement of many. According to the report, in 2012 m23 took control of Goma, an important city in the eastern region but drc and u.n. troops advanced and they called a truce.
Reportedly, Rwanda which borders drc was accused of supporting m23, and the u.s. has blamed the Rwandan army and m23 for the strike. According to the report, a spokesman for the congolese army said the attack was retaliation for an earlier drc attack on the rwandan army. Reportedly, following heavy fighting with government troops, this week m23 said they had taken the town of Rubaya. According to the report, drc is the world’s second largest producer of coltan, mostly coming from Rubaya; coltan is an essential ingredient in mobile phones and electric vehicles.
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Talks resume in Cairo
According to a report, talks are going ahead on Saturday in order for a ceasefire and the return of hostages. Reportedly, hamas are said to be deciding on the latest innitiative, whether the ceasefire would be permanent or temporary is an issue. According to the report, hamas insists that a ceasefire means an end to the war but Israel will not agree while hamas are active in Gaza.
Three charged with killing of sikh seperatist
According to a report, three indians have been arrested and charged with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar whom the indian government have accused of murdering a priest. Reportedly, canadian police arrested the three in Alberta, they had been living in Canada for 3-5 years. According to the report, police say there may be others involved with the killing and investigations are ongoing.
Reportedly, Mr Nijjar was a sikh seperatist who campaigned for the creation of an independent sikh homeland in the Punjab region. According to the report, his friends said he was warned by canadian intelligence that there had been threats on his life. Reportedly, the prime minister of Canada said there were credible allegations potentially linking the indian state to the killing.
Niger
According to a report, russian soldiers are sharing a base at Niger’s international airport with u.s. troops in Niger following u.s. troops being told to leave in March, the two are not interacting. Reportedly, u.s. relations with the military government deteriated since they condemned the country’s military coup, though they anticipate continuing to engage with the Sahel region. According to the report, other Sahel countries have cut ties with the west, u.s. troops have recently withdrawn from Chad following concerns regarding their presence. Reportedly, a general election in Chad is scheduled for 6 May.
According to the report, russians housed at the military airbase in Niger’s airport are said to be military trainers. Reportedly, russians make no comment on military rule and do not insist on a civilian government. According to the report, most of the u.s. troops in Niger are situated at a drone base near the city of Agadez.
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Russia Ukraine
According to a report, a ukrainian military intelligence official said the russian capture of the eastern city of Chasif Yar is only a matter of time, depending on reserves and supplies. Reportedly, he said Russia is likely to continue to pursue their long term goal of securing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. According to the report, the prediction is that peace talks will not begin until the last half of 2025.
Reportedly, despite heavy russian casualties, russian troops have momentum which has impacted ukrainian reserve along with a shortage of weapons. According to the report, ukrainian soldiers have described russian attacks in the region as being steady but often unpredictable.