Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement in Gaza by launching an airstrike on the eastern part of Rafah city. The attack, which targeted members of Hamas-controlled police, resulted in the deaths of three police officers, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior. Gaza officials stated that this airstrike, which occurred on Saturday, constitutes a clear violation of the ceasefire that has been in place since January 19. Israel claimed the attack targeted armed individuals approaching their forces. Hamas authorities confirmed the slain officers were stationed to secure the entry of aid trucks into Gaza. The international community has been urged to take a stand against the Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s police forces.

On February 15, during the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the creation of a unified European military force. He emphasized that Europe must become self-reliant in the face of ongoing threats from Russia and the uncertainties posed by the United States. Zelensky insisted that Europe’s future should depend on Europeans themselves and that decisions affecting Europe should be made within Europe. He stated, “Ukraine will never accept any agreements made behind our backs without our involvement.” Zelensky also confirmed that Ukraine would not accept any ceasefire without real security guarantees and emphasized that NATO membership remains a possibility for Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential paths to end the war in Ukraine. This meeting could also include Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The choice of Saudi Arabia as the venue raises questions, as it is considered a neutral location, and the country is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin. The US sees an opportunity to strengthen relations between Israel, the US, and Saudi Arabia, adding further significance to the decision. Saudi Arabia’s neutral stance on the conflict makes it an attractive venue for this high-stakes summit.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pledged to oppose US President Donald Trump’s plan to transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Speaking at a rally in the Basque Country on February 15, Sánchez stated, “No real estate venture can cover up the horrific human rights violations we have witnessed in Gaza in recent years.” He emphasized that Spain would not approve such plans and condemned the support that US Vice President Mike Pence has shown for right-wing groups in the region. Sánchez, leader of Spain’s Socialist Workers’ Party, advocates for a two-state solution that would allow Palestinians and Israelis to live in “peace, harmony, and security.”

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of London to protest against former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, the rally marched toward the U.S. Embassy in Nine Elms, London. Protesters held placards reading, “Hands off Gaza!” and banners stating, “Stand Against Trump—Canada is Not Your 51st State!” Among the demonstrators was 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Stephen Kapos, who condemned Trump’s announcement as “illegal, unrealistic, and irrational.”

Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar confirmed that over 25 individuals have been arrested in connection with an attack on a UN peacekeeping convoy heading to Beirut Airport. Arab News reported that on Friday night, violent protests erupted at Rafik Hariri Airport. Masked demonstrators carrying Hezbollah and Iranian flags barricaded roads and attacked UN vehicles, setting three of them on fire. The government has labeled the act a punishable offense, linking it to unrest following the suspension of Iranian flights.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday night, marking his first visit to the Middle East, AFP reported. After landing at Ben Gurion Airport, Rubio is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting will address the controversial Gaza occupation policy under the Trump administration. Prior to this, Rubio attended the Munich Security Conference. Meanwhile, Netanyahu had earlier met with Trump, expressing gratitude for U.S. support and endorsing the plan for Gaza's occupation.

As the U.S. tightens its immigration policies, another batch of 119 Indian nationals is being deported, following the return of 104 individuals earlier this month. The latest deportation flight is set to land in Amritsar, Punjab, tonight—just like the previous one. This has sparked outrage from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who accused the central government of treating illegal immigration as solely Punjab’s problem. He called it a national issue and criticized the decision to land deportation flights only in Punjab. Mann demanded that future flights land in Delhi or Ahmedabad to ensure Punjab’s dignity is upheld.

An Argentine court has issued arrest warrants against Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya. Myanmar has criticized the ruling. The case was filed by a Rohingya advocacy group in Argentina, and junta spokesperson Min Tun dismissed the decision, urging Argentina to first address its own judicial vacancies before interfering in Myanmar’s affairs.

The funeral and farewell ceremony for former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah will take place on February 23, according to the organizing committee. Committee head Ali Daher announced that the historic event will be held at Camille Chamoun Stadium in Beirut, with representatives from 79 countries expected to attend. Nasrallah was assassinated in a bomb attack on September 23, 2024, while Sayyed Hashem Safiuddin was killed on October 3, both allegedly by Israeli forces.

On Saturday at 10 AM local time, Hamas released three Israeli hostages—Alexander Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn—in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis. The release took place under strict security and in the presence of fighters from both sides. A senior Hamas official signed the handover documents with Red Cross representatives. Following their brief statements to the Palestinian people, the hostages left for Israel. In return, Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has admitted that Ukraine's survival would be difficult without continued US support. In an interview with 'Meet the Press,' he stated, "It would be very, very, very difficult." Former US President Donald Trump previously discussed ceasefire negotiations with both Vladimir Putin and Zelensky. Trump also commented that Ukraine’s NATO membership is unrealistic and expressed doubts about Kyiv regaining all its lost territories. Zelensky, however, accused Russia of seeking a ceasefire merely to regroup and prepare for further aggression, asserting that Ukraine must reclaim all its occupied land and receive NATO-like security assurances.

Thousands of Yemenis gathered in the Sa'ada province to show solidarity with Palestinians and protest against the United States' proposed resettlement of Gazans. On Friday, demonstrations took place across various districts, with protestors waving Palestinian and Yemeni flags while condemning the plan. They also expressed support for the Ansarullah movement. Mohammad Ali, a member of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, warned the US against underestimating Yemen’s military capabilities, declaring that Washington’s plan would not succeed.

US Vice President JD Vance has warned European allies about internal threats, accusing European governments of extreme censorship and failure to manage uncontrolled immigration. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he stated, "Russia and China are not Europe’s biggest threats—the real danger comes from straying away from shared values with the United States." He criticized the cancellation of Romania’s presidential election following evidence of Russian disinformation, questioning the decision’s legitimacy. He also identified immigration as a major challenge and voiced support for Europe’s right-wing parties.

The possibility of the Russia-Ukraine war escalating into a nuclear conflict has gained some credibility after a devastating drone attack struck Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear reactor. The attack damaged sections of the reactor’s protective walls, according to the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The incident also caused a fire within the reactor. The IAEA described this as the most severe accident in Chernobyl’s history since the 1986 disaster. Ukraine has blamed Russia for the attack, but Moscow has denied any involvement.