Hamas has declared it will not accept any foreign force exercising authority inside Gaza, even as Israel and the United States prepare to advance to the second phase of Washington’s ceasefire and stabilization plan. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said the group is open to UN monitoring forces along Gaza’s borders to oversee truce compliance but rejects any disarmament role for international troops within Palestinian territory.

The statement follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss implementing the next stage of the plan, which aims to dismantle Hamas’s military capacity. The U.S. proposal envisions an international stabilization force and a transitional Palestinian administration, though key details—such as command structure, deployment timeline, and mandate—remain undefined. Indonesia has reportedly agreed to contribute troops, but the overall framework is still unclear.

Analysts warn that the plan’s ambiguity and continued Israeli airstrikes during the truce risk undermining fragile progress. Qatar has cautioned that without full Israeli withdrawal and restored Palestinian mobility, the ceasefire could collapse at a critical juncture.

Ukraine’s armed forces now include more than 70,000 women, marking a 20% increase since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Over 5,500 of them are deployed directly on the front lines, while many others serve in technical and operational roles supported by modern warfare technologies, particularly drones.

Officials and soldiers say the rise in female participation reflects how technology has reshaped combat. Drones allow women to contribute effectively without traditional front-line exposure. Female drone pilots and technicians, such as those in the 9th Brigade and Khartia Corps, describe their missions as both challenging and transformative. President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier disclosed that around 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and nearly 390,000 injured since the invasion began.

Military recruiters have launched new campaigns targeting women, with female membership in some units up 20% since early 2024. As drone warfare evolves, it is redefining gender roles in Ukraine’s defense forces and signaling a broader shift toward technology-driven participation in modern conflict.

Thailand’s defense forces conducted airstrikes on Cambodian territory early Monday, December 8, following renewed border clashes. The strikes targeted Cambodian military depots in the Chong En Ma Pass area, which Thai officials claimed stored artillery and mortars used against Thai troops and civilians. Major General Winthai Suvari, head of the Thai military’s public affairs office, confirmed the operation, describing it as a response to a Cambodian attack that killed one Thai soldier and injured two others the previous day.

Cambodia’s military confirmed the airstrikes, stating they occurred around 5:04 a.m. local time and hit army installations. Cambodian officials accused Thailand of ongoing provocations along the border. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were released. The clashes prompted Thailand to evacuate thousands of residents from four border provinces—Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani—with CNN reporting that up to 70% of border communities have been relocated.

The renewed hostilities raise fears of a wider conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, who have a long history of territorial disputes near ancient temple zones.

Thailand and Cambodia have once again clashed along their shared border, breaking months of uneasy calm. On Sunday, troops from both sides exchanged gunfire in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province, leaving at least two Thai soldiers injured. The Thai military reported that Cambodian forces opened fire around 2:15 p.m. local time, prompting a retaliatory response that lasted roughly 35 minutes. Thousands of residents from four Thai border provinces were evacuated to safety following the incident.

The skirmish occurred shortly after Thailand lodged a formal complaint at the United Nations, accusing Cambodia of secretly planting landmines inside Thai territory. Bangkok claimed that several Thai and Chinese nationals had been injured by the explosions and urged the UN to investigate. Phnom Penh has not yet issued an official response.

This latest confrontation threatens to unravel the fragile ceasefire brokered last July after a five-day conflict that killed 32 people. Regional observers warn that renewed hostilities could destabilize the broader Southeast Asian border region unless diplomatic channels reopen quickly.

At least 23 Afghan Taliban soldiers were killed in cross-border attacks by Pakistani forces over the past two days, according to a report by Pakistan’s The News on Sunday, December 7. The clashes occurred near the Chaman border in Balochistan, where Pakistani troops reportedly responded to gunfire from Afghan forces who allegedly violated a ceasefire late Friday night in the Zaman sector.

Sources cited by the report said the exchange began with small arms fire and escalated to heavy weaponry, including rockets and artillery, lasting around 45 minutes. Three Afghan border posts were reportedly destroyed. Pakistani sources claimed precision weapons were used to avoid civilian casualties, though Afghan troops later moved into populated areas, prompting further retaliatory fire.

The incident underscores the fragile security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, where tensions have grown since the Taliban’s return to power. Both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about potential escalation and civilian safety in border communities.

Japan and Australia have announced a new 'Strategic Defense Coordination Framework' following a high-level meeting in Tokyo, aiming to deepen defense and security cooperation in response to China's growing military activities in the region. The initiative comes just a day after Japan accused Chinese fighter jets of targeting its aircraft with fire-control radar near Okinawa, prompting an official protest from Tokyo.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles said the framework will institutionalize annual meetings among defense, military, and intelligence officials. Cooperation will extend across cyber defense, space, logistics, and supply-chain management. Both ministers emphasized a 'firm but restrained' approach to maintaining regional stability amid China's assertive posture.

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated sharply, particularly after remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan’s security implications. Analysts say the new Japan-Australia alignment signals a broader regional effort to counterbalance Beijing’s influence and ensure freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

Azerbaijan has announced plans to open an embassy in Dhaka following Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, signaling a new phase in bilateral relations. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting between Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev’s daughters, Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka.

During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in culture, environment, and people-to-people connectivity. Professor Yunus recalled his previous visits to Baku and his meeting with President Aliyev at the COP29 summit, emphasizing the potential for deeper trade, energy, and economic collaboration. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, conveyed President Aliyev’s greetings and expressed interest in joint projects on wildlife conservation and environmental protection.

Non-resident Ambassador Elchin Huseynli confirmed that the embassy initiative followed a request from Professor Yunus last November. The move is expected to elevate Bangladesh-Azerbaijan relations, opening avenues for humanitarian, social, and environmental partnerships.

Azerbaijan has announced plans to open an embassy in Dhaka following Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, signaling a new phase in bilateral relations. The announcement came during a courtesy meeting between Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s daughters, Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka.

Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, culture, and environmental protection. Professor Yunus recalled his previous visits to Baku and his meeting with President Aliyev during the COP-29 conference. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, conveyed the Azerbaijani President’s greetings and expressed interest in joint humanitarian and environmental projects with Bangladeshi organizations.

Azerbaijan’s non-resident ambassador Elchin Huseynli confirmed that the embassy initiative followed a request from Professor Yunus last November. Officials said the new embassy would elevate bilateral engagement and facilitate people-to-people connections between the two nations.

Iranian authorities have arrested two organizers of a marathon held on Kish Island after images surfaced showing several female participants running without hijabs. The event, which took place on December 5, featured around 2,000 women and 3,000 men competing in separate categories. Photos of women in red T-shirts without head coverings quickly spread on social media, prompting conservative backlash and official intervention.

Prosecutors in Kish described the marathon as a violation of “public decency,” though they did not clarify what specific rules were broken. Government officials said the issue extended beyond hijab law violations, calling the event’s overall nature “unacceptable.” Progressive voices within Iranian society expressed support for the women, viewing their participation as a quiet act of defiance against restrictive gender policies.

The arrests highlight the enduring tension between Iran’s conservative establishment and reform-minded citizens over women’s rights and personal freedoms. The hijab debate remains central to Iran’s political and social discourse, with authorities oscillating between limited tolerance and harsh enforcement.

Eighteen migrants have died after a boat sank off the southern Greek island of Chrissi on Saturday, according to the Greek Coast Guard. The vessel went down about 40 kilometers from the shore, with only two survivors rescued and transferred to nearby Crete. A Turkish cargo ship first spotted the sinking boat and alerted Greek authorities shortly after the incident.

The Coast Guard reported that the boat was carrying 20 migrants attempting to reach Europe. The tragedy highlights the persistent dangers faced by migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Libya, Turkey, and Morocco toward Greece and Italy. Since 2015, more than a million undocumented migrants have sought refuge in Greece, many housed in overcrowded camps.

Authorities warn that worsening weather conditions and unseaworthy vessels continue to make these journeys perilous. The Greek government has called for stronger regional cooperation to curb human smuggling and prevent further loss of life in the Mediterranean migration routes.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara has accused Israel of deliberately escalating regional tensions through military operations justified under the guise of security. Speaking at the Doha Forum, Al-Shara reiterated his government’s commitment to national unity, peace, women’s empowerment, and democratic reforms, including plans to hold parliamentary elections within five years of the constitutional declaration.

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Al-Shara claimed Israel is using the October 7 attacks as a pretext to expand military actions across the region, describing it as a state “fighting ghosts.” He urged Israel to return to pre-conflict positions and respect the 1974 disengagement agreement over the Golan Heights, warning that altering the long-standing accord could destabilize the region.

Al-Shara also addressed Syria’s internal reconciliation efforts, announcing amnesty measures and rejecting sectarian politics. He emphasized that Syria is governed by law and that women’s rights are protected, signaling a shift toward inclusive governance after years of conflict.

Three days of peace talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Florida ended Saturday without tangible progress, underscoring the deep impasse in efforts to end the war. On the same day, Russia launched one of its largest recent air offensives against Ukrainian cities and key infrastructure, signaling continued escalation despite diplomatic overtures.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia fired 653 drones and 51 missiles, striking 29 locations including energy facilities and transport hubs. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed at least eight injuries, while the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant temporarily lost power, prompting safety concerns from the International Atomic Energy Agency. President Volodymyr Zelensky said energy infrastructure was deliberately targeted, accusing Moscow of seeking to cripple civilian life.

Moscow maintained that it only targeted military-industrial sites and their energy supply lines. With Russian forces advancing in eastern Donetsk—seizing over 500 square kilometers in November alone—Kyiv’s diplomatic options appear increasingly constrained. Observers warn that without a shift in Moscow’s stance, peace efforts will remain stalled.

Hamas has announced it will hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority once Israel ends its occupation of Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, head of the group’s negotiation team, made the statement on Saturday, emphasizing that Hamas maintains arms solely due to ongoing occupation and aggression. He clarified that the weapons would be surrendered to a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.

Al-Hayya added that Hamas accepts the deployment of a United Nations force to monitor the ceasefire and oversee border surveillance but rejects any international mission aimed solely at disarming Hamas. The announcement comes amid continuing Israeli attacks despite a ceasefire declared on October 10, which has resulted in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage across Gaza.

Meanwhile, leaders of Muslim-majority nations have opposed unilateral plans to open the Rafah border for transferring Palestinians into Egypt, urging instead for both sides of the crossing to reopen under previous agreements. They also called for reconstruction efforts to take place within Palestinian territories, reaffirming support for Palestinian sovereignty.

Malaysian authorities have detained 843 undocumented migrants, including 79 Bangladeshis, during a large-scale enforcement operation in Selayang Baru, Selangor. The raid, coordinated by the Selangor State Security Council on December 6, involved multiple agencies including the Immigration Department, Royal Malaysia Police, and National Anti-Drug Agency. Officials inspected the documents of 1,116 individuals and arrested those found violating immigration laws.

According to state officials, the detainees include nationals from Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and India, aged between 21 and 53. They face charges of lacking identification, overstaying, and using forged documents. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the operation followed public complaints about illegal businesses and overcrowding by foreign nationals. He warned employers against hiring undocumented workers, emphasizing that violators will face legal action.

Authorities confirmed that similar operations had been conducted earlier in Seri Muda and Selangor Wholesale Market areas. The crackdown will continue under Malaysia’s Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, and Anti-Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that any ceasefire agreement in Gaza will remain incomplete without addressing the situation in the West Bank. Speaking at the Doha Forum 2025, he emphasized that Qatar views regional stability as integral to its national security and prefers diplomacy, investment, and strategic partnerships over military influence.

Al Thani highlighted Qatar’s role as a mediator in regional conflicts, maintaining open communication with all parties to ensure sustainable peace. He noted that since 2013, Qatar’s progress has stemmed from its engagement with diverse stakeholders. The prime minister also underscored the need to tackle the root causes of the Israel-Palestine conflict, including Palestinian national aspirations and reconstruction of Gaza.

Qatar, along with Turkey, Egypt, and the United States, is currently guiding the next phase of the ceasefire process. The statement comes amid ongoing Israeli attacks that have killed over 70,000 people in Gaza since October 2023, despite the ceasefire agreement brokered in October 2024.