Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza, indicating plans to establish military outposts in the northern part of the enclave. His remarks, reported by Israeli media on Tuesday, came as mediators push for the second phase of a ceasefire that includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory.

Katz made the statement during a ceremony at the Beit El settlement in the occupied West Bank, asserting that Israel’s continued presence in Gaza is necessary to prevent future attacks. Former minister and ex-chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot sharply criticized Katz’s comments, accusing the government of undermining national unity at a critical security juncture.

The remarks complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts, including proposals for an interim Palestinian authority to govern Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force. Observers warn that Israel’s stance could stall ceasefire progress and deepen regional tensions.

Gaza’s health system is on the brink of collapse as Israeli authorities continue to block the entry of essential medical supplies, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Director-General Munir al-Barsh told Al Jazeera that the blockade has made it nearly impossible to treat critically ill patients, with thousands now at risk of death. The situation persists despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that was supposed to allow humanitarian aid, including medical shipments, into the territory.

Health officials report that nearly three-quarters of needed medical equipment is unavailable, including surgical tools, anesthesia, saline, and dialysis materials. Frequent power outages and fuel shortages have further crippled hospital operations. Over the past two years of conflict, at least 125 health facilities have been damaged and more than 1,700 medical workers killed. Ninety-five Palestinian doctors and health workers remain detained by Israel.

The ministry warns that Gaza is facing its worst health crisis in three decades, with thousands of glaucoma patients at risk of blindness and tens of thousands of displaced pregnant women living in unsafe conditions.

Swedish climate and human rights activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London on December 23 after joining a pro-Palestinian demonstration organized by Palestine Action. The protest took place outside Aspen Insurance’s office, where Thunberg was seen holding a placard expressing solidarity with imprisoned activists and opposing what she described as genocide.

London City Police confirmed that a 22-year-old woman was detained for displaying material supporting a banned organization, though they did not name Thunberg directly. The UK government outlawed Palestine Action in July 2025, citing its involvement in disruptive protests targeting companies linked to Israel. Since the ban, hundreds of demonstrators have reportedly been arrested under similar charges.

Thunberg’s detention adds to her growing record of civil disobedience in environmental and human rights causes. The incident is expected to reignite debate over the UK’s protest laws and their impact on freedom of expression, especially in politically sensitive contexts involving international conflicts.

Bangladesh has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with India after a series of violent attacks by Hindu nationalist groups on its diplomatic missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Siliguri. Dhaka summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Tuesday, describing the incidents as premeditated acts of violence and intimidation that endangered Bangladeshi diplomats and violated international norms. Following the attacks, Bangladesh’s High Commission in Delhi suspended visa services for Indian nationals indefinitely.

In Delhi and Mumbai, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal clashed with police, vandalized property, and issued death threats against Bangladeshi diplomats. The protests, allegedly supported by local political figures, were organized over the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh. India’s Ministry of External Affairs informally summoned Bangladesh’s envoy in response, accusing Dhaka of overreacting.

The escalating tensions mark one of the most serious strains in recent Bangladesh–India relations. Dhaka has demanded a full investigation and stronger protection for its missions, while observers warn that continued unrest could undermine bilateral cooperation and regional stability.

Russian authorities reported that Ukraine launched a major overnight drone assault targeting Moscow and surrounding regions, including the Tula industrial zone where a fire broke out. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at least three drones approaching the capital were shot down, and emergency services were deployed to affected areas. No immediate casualties or damage were reported.

Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that its air defense systems destroyed 172 Ukrainian drones overnight, with nearly half intercepted near border regions. Two of Moscow’s four main airports temporarily restricted operations following the attacks. Tula Governor Dmitry Milyaev confirmed that debris from a downed drone caused a fire at an industrial facility, though details about the site or damage remain undisclosed.

The incident marks another escalation in Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign targeting Russian military, energy, and logistics infrastructure. Kyiv maintains that such strikes are a defensive response to Russia’s continued assaults on Ukrainian territory, signaling the deepening technological and strategic dimensions of the conflict.

A private jet carrying Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Mohammed al-Haddad, crashed in Turkish airspace after reporting an electrical malfunction, Turkish officials confirmed. The aircraft had requested emergency landing clearance before losing contact and going down. All eight people on board, including al-Haddad, four Libyan military officials, and three crew members, were killed.

Turkish Presidency Communications Director Fahrettin Altun stated that pilots had notified air traffic control of the issue moments before the crash. Libya’s Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah confirmed al-Haddad’s death, calling it a tragic loss for the nation and its armed forces. Among the victims were senior military figures such as General al-Fitouri Gharibiel and Brigadier General Mahmoud al-Katawi.

The Libyan delegation had been traveling to Ankara for high-level defense talks aimed at strengthening bilateral military cooperation. Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, with preliminary findings pointing to a possible electrical systems failure.

A powerful explosion ripped through a nursing home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, killing at least two people and leaving five others missing, state officials confirmed on Tuesday. Governor Josh Shapiro said the blast occurred at the Silver Lake facility north of Philadelphia, likely caused by a gas leak. The explosion caused part of the building to collapse, trapping several residents under burning debris.

Fire Chief Kevin DiPolito of Bristol Township reported that firefighters smelled strong gas upon arrival and faced extensive structural damage, with the first floor collapsing into the basement. Emergency crews rescued multiple individuals from windows, stairwells, and elevators, while search efforts continue for those unaccounted for. Governor Shapiro praised the swift coordination between firefighters and police during the evacuation.

Authorities noted that the nursing home recently changed ownership, and state health inspectors had visited earlier in December to review quality improvement plans. Investigators are now focusing on determining the exact cause of the explosion and assessing the facility’s compliance with safety standards.

A faction of pro-Khalistan Sikhs is set to hold coordinated protests outside Indian embassies in seven countries on Wednesday, condemning the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, a Bangladeshi activist. The demonstrations, organized by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), will take place at noon local time in Dhaka, Islamabad, Melbourne, London, Milan, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, D.C. SFJ’s general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun announced the plan in a video message, demanding the closure of Indian consulates.

Pannun accused Indian intelligence agencies of orchestrating Hadi’s killing and alleged that Indian diplomatic missions serve as operational centers for such activities. He also linked the protests to broader claims of Indian interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs, including alleged plots against the government led by Muhammad Yunus. Indian authorities have not responded to the allegations.

The protests underscore ongoing tensions between pro-Khalistan activists and the Indian government, with SFJ continuing to use international platforms to challenge India’s policies. Security around Indian diplomatic missions in the mentioned cities is expected to be tightened.

A youth leader from Pakistan’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has issued a sharp warning to India, declaring that any threat to Bangladesh’s sovereignty would provoke a military and missile response from Pakistan. Kamran Saeed Usmani made the remarks in a video message, asserting that Pakistan’s armed forces and missiles are “not far away” if India acts against Dhaka.

Usmani claimed that Muslim youth across the region are becoming increasingly alert to India’s strategic ambitions, particularly what he described as efforts to impose the “Akhand Bharat” ideology. He urged Bangladesh to form a military alliance with Pakistan and proposed establishing mutual military bases in both countries.

Analysts note that such rhetoric, though not an official government stance, could heighten regional tensions between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The statement comes amid a fragile South Asian security environment, where even symbolic threats risk escalating diplomatic friction. No official response from Dhaka or New Delhi has yet been reported.

The United Nations has accused Myanmar’s military junta of using violence and intimidation to force citizens to vote in the upcoming national election, scheduled to begin Sunday. UN human rights chief Volker Türk urged the junta to halt the brutality and arbitrary arrests tied to dissent, calling the election environment one of fear and repression. The vote comes five years after the military ousted the elected government and plunged the country into civil war.

Türk warned that civilians face threats from both the junta and armed opposition groups, with reports of forced participation and harsh punishments for dissent. Three young men in Yangon were sentenced to up to 49 years for posting anti-election materials. Displaced residents in Mandalay and other regions reported being told their homes would be seized if they refused to vote. Türk described the situation as a clear violation of human rights.

International observers have rejected the month-long election as a façade for continued military rule, noting that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned and her party dissolved.

Iranian authorities reportedly carried out missile drills across several cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Khorramabad, and Mahabad, earlier this week. Semi-official media outlets such as Fars and Nour News released footage and reports of the exercises, though Iran’s state broadcaster denied any missile launches, claiming the circulating images were unrelated to military testing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern over Iran’s expanding missile activities, stating that Israel is taking necessary precautions. According to NBC News, Netanyahu plans to brief U.S. President Donald Trump on Iran’s missile program and other threats during his upcoming visit to Washington. Israeli officials have warned that they view Iran’s actions as a potential security threat requiring swift response if necessary.

Western nations continue to view Iran’s missile capabilities as a destabilizing factor in the Middle East, fearing that such systems could eventually be adapted to deliver nuclear warheads. The latest drills follow similar exercises by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards earlier this month in the Persian Gulf.

Libya’s Chief of Staff, General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, was killed in a plane crash in Turkey on Tuesday night, according to the Libyan Prime Minister. The Falcon-50 aircraft departed Ankara’s Esenboğa International Airport at 8:12 p.m. local time bound for Tripoli but lost contact 42 minutes after takeoff. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the aircraft had requested an emergency landing before communication was lost.

General al-Haddad had been in Ankara for an official meeting with Turkey’s Chief of Staff and was returning to Libya when the crash occurred. Four others were reportedly on board the aircraft. Turkish and Libyan authorities have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the incident, with early reports suggesting possible technical failure.

The death of General al-Haddad is expected to have significant implications for Libya’s fragile military command structure. Analysts note that his loss could complicate ongoing defense coordination with Turkey, a key ally in Libya’s post-conflict stabilization efforts.

A 35-year-old Border Security Force (BSF) soldier, Bipin Kumar of the 97th Battalion, was shot and injured while on duty along the Maheshpur border in North Tripura. The incident occurred during a nighttime patrol when gunfire was suddenly heard, prompting immediate rescue and hospitalization. After surgery at Agartala’s GB Pant Hospital, his condition is reported stable.

Initial media reports claimed that shots were fired from across the Bangladesh border, sparking tension amid the region’s existing diplomatic strain. However, preliminary investigations now indicate that the bullets came from Kumar’s own service rifle. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether it was an accident or a possible suicide attempt. No official statement has been issued by the BSF or the central government.

Following the incident, a high alert was declared along the Tripura frontier, a region already sensitive due to smuggling and infiltration risks. Analysts warn that misinformation could inflame cross-border tensions, emphasizing the need for verified communication between India and Bangladesh.

Iran has conducted another round of missile drills across multiple cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, marking its second such exercise in a month. State media released footage of the launches, though the exact locations remain unverified. Conflicting reports emerged as Iranian state outlets later denied any missile testing, claiming the visuals showed high-altitude aircraft instead.

According to NBC News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to brief U.S. President Donald Trump on what Israel views as an escalating threat from Iran’s ballistic missile program. Western powers consider Iran’s missile capabilities a major security risk for the Middle East, fearing they could eventually serve as delivery systems for nuclear weapons—an allegation Tehran continues to deny.

Israeli officials reportedly believe Iran has resumed rebuilding nuclear enrichment facilities damaged in a U.S. airstrike earlier this year. As a result, Tel Aviv is exploring military options and coordinating with Washington, fueling renewed concerns of a potential confrontation between the two long-time adversaries.

Although Israeli airstrikes have decreased, Palestinian children in Gaza continue to die—this time from cold weather and collapsing buildings. Heavy rains have flooded tent camps and temporary shelters, while damaged structures have caved in on families. At least 16 Palestinians, including several children, were killed in recent storms. Amnesty International described these deaths as preventable, blaming Israel’s blockade and violations of ceasefire terms for obstructing humanitarian aid and shelter access.

Over two months of ceasefire breaches have left more than 1,400 Palestinians dead or injured, with Israel continuing to restrict essential supplies and repair materials. The UNRWA, which could provide shelter for 1.3 million displaced people, has been denied entry for its materials. Nearly 92% of Gaza’s infrastructure is damaged, and more than half of its territory remains inaccessible to residents.

Human rights groups warn that the ongoing blockade and destruction are creating unlivable conditions. International legal experts urge Israel to comply with humanitarian law and allow aid access, as Gaza faces worsening humanitarian collapse.