In a humanitarian gesture marking Easter Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from Saturday 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM local time. His forces were instructed to suspend all military operations during this period. While Ukraine has yet to respond officially, Putin stated, “We hope Ukraine will reciprocate. However, our forces must remain ready to respond to any provocations or violations.”

The death toll has climbed to 80 following a deadly U.S. airstrike on Yemen’s Ras Isa oil terminal, with 171 others injured. According to U.S. Central Command, the attack aimed to prevent the Houthis from gaining access to fuel and financial resources. The first four strikes occurred while workers were on duty at the port. Notably, 70% of Yemen’s exports and 80% of its humanitarian aid are channeled through Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and As-Salif ports.

At least 70 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Friday, with most victims from Gaza City and northern Gaza. The widespread assault has pushed the death toll beyond 51,000 since October 23. Despite a ceasefire agreement, Israel continues to block the entry of food and essential aid into the Gaza Strip. This marks a further violation of the second agreement and worsens the humanitarian crisis.

Yemen has launched a ‘Zulfiqar’ ballistic missile at a military base near Ben Gurion Airport in occupied Jaffa, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, confirmed the strike and added that joint military operations also targeted two American aircraft carriers—USS Truman and USS Vinson. Yemen’s Defense Ministry further reported shooting down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over Sana’a province. The Israeli attack came in retaliation to U.S. strikes in Yemen that killed 74 people and injured 171 others.

Since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have taken control of 185 out of Gaza’s 365 square kilometers—around 50% of the territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that 30% of Gaza has been turned into a “buffer zone,” displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Israel is also working to block all cross-border access with Egypt. To divide Gaza more strategically, military corridors have been established in Philadelphi, Morag, and Netzarim. Around 80% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been destroyed. At least 40 people were reported killed on Thursday, according to Civil Defense authorities.

At a press briefing on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that tariffs on Chinese goods might be reduced. “I don’t want tariffs to be too high, because at some point, people won’t be able to buy,” he said. Trump emphasized the importance of consumer access and signaled openness to easing tariffs. While the U.S. initially imposed sweeping tariffs earlier in April, China remained an exception—with tariffs on Chinese goods eventually rising to 145%. In retaliation, China raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%. Trump added that Beijing had reached out multiple times regarding the issue and expressed confidence that a “very good deal” between the two countries is on the horizon.

The United States has announced new port fees targeting Chinese-built and operated vessels, aiming to boost the domestic shipbuilding industry and curb China’s maritime dominance. These fees, which will come into effect around mid-October, apply to all Chinese-linked vessels entering U.S. ports. Ships will incur additional charges per tonnage or container, with fees starting at $18 per entry or $120 per container. For a vessel carrying 15,000 containers, the cost could surge by up to $1.8 million. The fees will be reviewed five times a year. However, waivers may be granted if the vessel’s owner places an order for U.S.-built ships.

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya has announced that the group is ready to engage in comprehensive negotiations to release all hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, and reconstruction aid for Gaza. He ruled out any interim deal. This comes a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 35 people, including 13 members of one family in Khan Younis. Meanwhile, over 120,000 people have signed 43 petitions on the ‘Restart Israel’ platform, demanding an end to the war and the release of all captives.

At least 38 people were killed and 102 injured in a U.S. airstrike on the Ras Isa oil port in Yemen. Most of the casualties were civilians. The U.S. military claimed the attack targeted fuel supplies used by Houthi rebels, aiming to disrupt their financial resources. CENTCOM stated the objective was to weaken the Houthis’ economic capabilities. However, the Houthis have vowed to continue their operations in solidarity with Palestinians.

April 17 marked Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, commemorating the 1974 release of Mahmoud Bakr Hijazi—the first Palestinian freed from Israeli prison. Since 1967, Israel has detained over one million Palestinians—around 20% of the population. The number of detainees has doubled from 5,250 in 2023 to nearly 10,000 by April 2025. Protests erupted across the West Bank as families demanded the release of loved ones.

Israel has proposed a 45-day ceasefire in Gaza, but Hamas has rejected the condition of complete disarmament. As per reports, during the first week of the proposed ceasefire, Hamas would release 10 live hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 120 Palestinians serving life sentences and over 1,000 detained since October 7, 2023. Prior to the March 18 ceasefire breakdown, the IDF would withdraw to previous positions. Palestinians would be allowed to cross the Netzarim corridor, humanitarian aid would resume, and infrastructure reconstruction would begin. Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. would mediate negotiations aiming at a permanent end to hostilities. In the next phase, Hamas would provide evidence of living hostages and return the bodies of the deceased.

Israeli forces opened fire from helicopters in the city of Rafah on Wednesday. At least 23 Palestinians were killed in separate attacks across various enclaves since early morning. Heavy bombardments in the Jabalia refugee camp resulted in rising smoke plumes, while additional shelling was reported near Khan Yunis, close to the town of Al-Kabira.

Artillery fire also hit the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps in central Gaza. In the northern Jabalia camp, three people were killed. In the Al-Nafaq Street area of Tuffah neighborhood, at least 10 members of the Hasuna family were reportedly killed. Another airstrike in the Al-Shaf neighborhood resulted in three more civilian deaths.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered northern Gaza on Tuesday and met with IDF troops. His office confirmed the visit, during which Netanyahu warned Hamas of “more strikes.” He showed Israeli soldiers a social media post by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, reiterating calls for Israel’s destruction. Over 51,000 Palestinians have reportedly died since the Israeli offensive began more than 18 months ago.

Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, has reported losing contact with the unit guarding Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander following recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. A previously released video had shown Alexander alive, criticizing the Israeli government for failing to secure his release. Hamas has reiterated its willingness to release hostages if a “serious and permanent” ceasefire is ensured.

More than 400 people have reportedly been killed in a series of ground and air assaults by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on refugee camps around El Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region. The UN confirmed at least 148 deaths between Thursday and Saturday, with the actual number believed to be significantly higher. Nine aid workers are among the dead. The RSF denies targeting civilians, claiming instead that the Sudanese army was using the camps as military bases and civilian shields.