At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Pakistan has condemned India’s “illegal occupation” of Jammu and Kashmir and its continued suppression of Kashmiri self-determination. Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar highlighted his country’s commitment to human rights, citing over 70 new laws passed in the past decade. He also called for an update on the UN’s Kashmir report and condemned ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza.

UN Middle East envoy Sigrid Kaag has warned that the window for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine is closing. Speaking at a conference, she emphasized that peace, security, and dignity in the region depend on this solution. Kaag expressed concern over Israel’s recent military expansion in the West Bank. Meanwhile, US envoy Dorothy Shea reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to fully implementing existing agreements, while also highlighting that Hamas continues to hold 63 hostages, including five Americans. Both US and Israeli representatives insisted that Hamas must be eradicated for lasting peace.

Gaza spokesperson Major Mahmoud Basel has reported that over 700 bodies have been recovered from different parts of the Gaza Strip. Many of the bodies bear severe trauma, making identification difficult. Due to a lack of forensic facilities, authorities are struggling to verify the victims’ identities. Basel also noted that more than 10,000 bodies remain trapped under rubble, with rescue operations hampered by inadequate equipment.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported a sharp increase in Iran’s uranium stockpile, bringing it closer to weapons-grade enrichment. According to the agency’s latest findings, Iran’s uranium is now enriched to nearly 90%, with some reserves reaching 60% purity, causing alarm among Western nations. While the United States is considering additional sanctions, the IAEA warns that time for diplomatic intervention is running out. Experts believe Iran’s current stockpile is sufficient to produce at least six nuclear bombs.

As part of the final phase of a ceasefire agreement, Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli detainees to the Red Cross. In return, the first bus carrying 620 Palestinian prisoners arrived in Ramallah, West Bank. Reports indicate that six Palestinian children died from cold exposure due to a lack of proper shelter in Gaza. Meanwhile, former mediators have likened Israel’s actions in Palestine to South Africa’s apartheid regime. The United Nations has urged Israel to allow the establishment of tents and shelters for displaced Palestinians.

China has issued a strong warning after Taiwan announced plans to purchase $7-10 billion worth of weapons from the United States. Chinese State Council spokesperson Zhu Fenglian stated that such deals will not protect Taiwan’s pro-independence forces. She warned that Taiwan remains a mere pawn in a geopolitical game and that China’s 1.4 billion people will never accept its separation. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s leader, Lai Ching-te, dismissed the claims, asserting that Taiwan is not a chess piece but a player in its own right.

Central President of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Zahidul Islam, claimed that the 1971 issue centered around figures like Tikka Khan and Bhutto, who directly facilitated genocide in Bangladesh. Speaking on a talk show, he asserted that those responsible for the genocide must be held accountable. He further argued that since Sheikh Mujibur Rahman released 195 identified war criminals, he should be posthumously tried if held responsible for that decision. Zahidul also praised Ziaur Rahman, stating that he had dismantled divisive politics and initiated inclusive governance.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to increase the UK’s defense budget by 2027 to counter Russian aggression. Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Starmer stated that Russia’s threats have been evident through three years of war in Ukraine. The UK will raise its defense spending by $17 billion annually and reallocate development aid to increase the defense budget from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP. He justified this move as necessary to deter authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and proposed sending British troops to Ukraine to help maintain the ceasefire.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed support for Bangladesh’s reform initiatives under Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. In a letter responding to an earlier communication from Yunus, Guterres acknowledged receipt through his special representative on the Rohingya crisis, Khalilur Rahman. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to Bangladesh’s reform process and highlighted ongoing concerns over the Rohingya humanitarian situation. He also confirmed his planned visit to Bangladesh in March.

On Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station in Cuba. During his visit, Hegseth emphasized that protecting American sovereign territory remains a top priority for the Pentagon. He stated, “The department has taken swift action to implement President Trump’s executive order on border security.”

As part of his trip, Hegseth met with officials directly involved in arresting and deporting dangerous illegal immigrants. His visit follows Trump’s recent directive to construct a detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, designed to house at least 30,000 of the “most dangerous” illegal immigrant criminals deemed a threat to the U.S.

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with Israel regarding the release of four Israeli hostages and over 600 Palestinian prisoners. According to the statement, Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages. The deal also includes the release of a number of Palestinian women and children. Israel has requested that the bodies of the hostages be transferred via the Red Cross through Egypt. In the previous exchange agreement, Hamas released Israeli hostages, but Israel failed to release the promised 600 Palestinian prisoners.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has convened a week-long conference at its base in Qatar, starting Tuesday. General Michael Kurilla gathered top CENTCOM officials at Al Udeid Air Base to discuss the current operational environment. The discussions covered regional security, military cooperation, counterterrorism efforts against Daesh, and strategic opportunities in the area. As part of strengthening U.S.-Qatar military ties, Kurilla met with Qatar’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Jassim Al Mannai, and commanders of Qatar’s Air Force and Air Defense.

A human rights report on Tuesday revealed that at least 59 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli jails since Israel’s military aggression in Gaza began in October 2023. Most of the deceased were residents of Gaza. The Prison Society reported that 38 of the victims were from Gaza and accused Israeli authorities of concealing their deaths. Since Israel occupied Gaza in 1957, at least 296 Palestinians have died in Israeli prisons, excluding thousands of others whose deaths have been omitted from official statistics.

The US has imposed sanctions on four Indian companies for their involvement in selling and transporting petroleum products to Iran. According to the US State Department, the sanctioned entities include Flux Maritime LLP, BSM Marine LLP, Austinship Management Pvt Ltd, and Cosmos Lines Inc. US Treasury official Scott Bassant warned that any entity engaged in Iran’s energy sector would face similar restrictions. Additionally, firms from Hong Kong, China, and the UAE have also been sanctioned.

More than 160 Palestinian healthcare workers, including over 20 doctors, remain detained in Israeli custody in Gaza, with 24 still missing. Recently released detainees have shared horrific accounts of abuse, including physical torture, beatings, and starvation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over their safety, reporting that since the war began, Israeli forces have detained 297 healthcare workers from Gaza. However, the exact number of those still in detention remains unknown.