Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, met with a Hamas delegation in Istanbul to discuss the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the next phase of the peace plan. The meeting, held on Saturday, was led by Khalil al-Hayya, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau and head of its negotiation team, according to Middle East Monitor.

During the talks, Hamas representatives reiterated their compliance with the ceasefire terms and presented evidence of alleged Israeli violations. Both sides discussed Turkey’s ongoing efforts to ensure the ceasefire holds and to prevent further breaches. They also reviewed the conditions necessary to advance to the second phase of the Gaza peace initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The discussions come amid continuing humanitarian devastation in Gaza, where since October 2023, Israeli operations have reportedly killed over 70,700 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured more than 171,000 others.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Dhaka has expressed profound grief and condolences over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a figure associated with the July revolutionary movement. In an official condolence message released on Sunday, the embassy extended sympathy to the government and people of Bangladesh, as well as to Hadi’s family and colleagues.

The statement conveyed Iran’s solidarity with Bangladesh during this period of mourning, emphasizing shared values of peace, stability, and prosperity. The embassy noted that it remembers Hadi’s contributions with respect and stands beside the Bangladeshi people in their loss. The message reflects Iran’s continued diplomatic outreach and cultural engagement with Bangladesh, particularly in moments of national grief.

Observers view the embassy’s message as a reaffirmation of Iran’s commitment to maintaining warm bilateral ties and mutual respect between the two nations, underscoring the importance of people-to-people and cultural solidarity.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Stockholm’s Odenplan Square on Saturday to protest Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. The protesters condemned Tel Aviv’s alleged failure to uphold a ceasefire agreement and its reported plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Marching toward the Swedish Parliament, participants carried banners calling for an end to violence and the protection of Palestinian rights.

Protesters chanted slogans demanding freedom for Palestine and denouncing Israeli government policies. Activist Malin Åkerström highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by winter conditions, and urged the international community to intervene. The demonstration coincided with a statement from over 100 Swedish lawmakers calling for stronger measures to halt Israeli violence in the West Bank.

The protest reflects growing European concern over the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. Observers note that Sweden’s political establishment faces increasing pressure to take a firmer stance on Middle East peace efforts and human rights accountability.

Two Palestinians, including a 16-year-old boy, were killed and two others injured in Israeli military operations across the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The incidents occurred near Jenin, in the towns of Qabatiya and Silat al-Harithiya, where witnesses reported extensive Israeli raids. The body of the teenage victim remains in Israeli custody.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported additional injuries in separate shootings near the Nur Shams refugee camp and Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem. Since October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed over 1,100 Palestinians, injured around 11,000, and detained more than 21,000 in the West Bank. The International Court of Justice ruled in July that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements.

The latest violence underscores the ongoing volatility in the West Bank despite international legal pressure. Human rights groups warn that continued military operations risk further destabilization and humanitarian deterioration in the region.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Afghanistan’s deputy ambassador following a deadly militant attack on a Pakistani military base in North Waziristan that killed four soldiers. The ministry said the assault was carried out by the Khariji Gul Bahadur group, which Islamabad claims operates from Afghan territory. The summoning was intended to deliver a strong protest and demand that Kabul prevent its soil from being used against Pakistan.

The incident has further strained relations between the two neighbors, already tense over cross-border militancy. Afghan officials have repeatedly assured that their territory will not be used for attacks against any country, particularly Pakistan, but have not yet issued a formal response to the summoning. Political analyst Moeen Gul Samkani suggested that Afghanistan might reciprocate by summoning Pakistan’s envoy in Kabul.

The episode underscores the fragile security dynamics along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Analysts warn that continued militant activity could derail regional counterterrorism cooperation and complicate diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Kabul.

A Border Security Force (BSF) member from India was detained by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Sunday, December 21, 2025, for allegedly crossing into Bangladeshi territory at the Dahagram-Angarpota border in Lalmonirhat’s Patgram upazila. The detained soldier, identified as Bed Prakash from the 174 Arjun Camp, reportedly entered about 200 yards inside Bangladesh while chasing cattle across the zero line. BGB patrol members apprehended him near border pillar DAMP 1/7 S and seized a shotgun, two rounds of ammunition, a wireless set, and an Android phone.

Local sources and the Dahagram Struggle Committee confirmed the incident, though BGB has not yet issued an official statement. Committee secretary Rejanur Rahman Reza criticized what he described as repeated provocative actions by BSF personnel in the enclave area and called for restraint. Subedar Ayub Ali of the Dahagram-Angarpota BGB camp confirmed the detention. The incident highlights ongoing sensitivities along the India-Bangladesh border, particularly in the geographically complex Dahagram enclave, where coordination between the two border forces remains crucial.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations are making it extremely difficult to advance the Gaza peace plan. His remarks followed a high-level meeting in Miami involving representatives from the United States, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar, who discussed the fragile situation in Gaza and the next phase of the ceasefire process.

Fidan explained that the first stage of the ceasefire, based on agreements reached at the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Conference, had been completed after the release of the last hostages. However, he warned that Israel’s continued breaches of the truce threaten to derail progress toward the second phase. The discussions also addressed obstacles encountered during the initial phase.

Reiterating Turkey’s position, Fidan emphasized that Gaza must be governed by Palestinians, remain territorially unified, and that all reconstruction efforts should prioritize the welfare of its residents. He added that significant investments are being planned for Gaza’s rebuilding, signaling Ankara’s intent to play a constructive role in the post-conflict recovery process.

Relatives of Bangladeshi army member Mohammad Jahangir Alam are waiting in Pakundia, Kishoreganj, for his body to arrive following his death in a terrorist drone attack in Sudan’s Abyei region. The body was expected to reach his home village, Tarakandi, on Sunday morning, but poor weather delayed the helicopter carrying it. Jahangir Alam was among six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in the December 13 attack on a UN peacekeeping base.

According to army officials, the bodies of all six soldiers reached Bangladesh on Saturday. Jahangir Alam, son of Mohammad Hazrat Ali, joined the Bangladesh Army in October 2014 as a mess waiter and was stationed at Rangpur Cantonment before being deployed to Sudan on November 7 this year. His funeral prayer is scheduled to be held at his home after the noon prayer.

The attack has drawn deep sorrow across Bangladesh, with the government reaffirming its commitment to global peacekeeping missions while calling for stronger international protection for peacekeepers in conflict zones.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that 1,092 patients in Gaza have died while awaiting permission to leave the enclave for medical treatment. The deaths occurred over the past 18 months, as the territory remains under blockade and frequent Israeli attacks. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that 10,600 critically ill patients, including 5,600 children, have been evacuated during the same period, but thousands still need urgent transfers.

WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic stated that 18,500 patients, including 4,000 children, are still waiting for medical evacuation, many of whom cannot afford further delays. The organization urged more countries to open their borders to Palestinian patients, warning that lives are at stake. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have proposed a $112 billion plan to rebuild Gaza over ten years, with the U.S. covering 20% of the cost.

Israeli bombardments continue despite ceasefire talks, killing at least six people in Gaza City on Friday. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports over 70,000 deaths since the start of the conflict, underscoring the worsening humanitarian crisis.

The Indian Assistant High Commission in Chattogram has suspended operations at its visa application center, citing security concerns. The announcement was posted on the official Bangladesh visa website on Sunday, stating that services would remain closed from December 21 until further notice. The decision follows recent unrest near the commission’s premises.

According to reports, the closure comes after clashes between police and protesters erupted on December 19 in Chattogram’s Khulshi area. The protests followed the death of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, convener of the Inquilab Mancha. The Indian mission said it would review the situation before deciding when to reopen the center.

The suspension is expected to affect visa applicants from southeastern Bangladesh who rely on the Chattogram center. Officials have advised applicants to monitor official channels for updates. Diplomatic observers note that such closures, while temporary, can disrupt travel and trade ties between the two neighboring countries.

Iran’s Deputy Chief of Staff Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has accused Israel of using threats, media campaigns, and political maneuvers to conceal its defeat in a recent 12-day war. Speaking to Al-Mayadeen, Vahidi alleged that Israel’s leadership is engaged in psychological warfare to distract from its strategic failures and internal crises.

He linked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the United States and ongoing threats against Iran to what he described as an effort to project strength amid growing isolation. According to Vahidi, Israel’s rhetoric does not reflect the real situation on the ground, and its objectives in the confrontation with Iran have not been achieved.

The comments come amid heightened regional tensions and continued diplomatic maneuvering between Tehran and Tel Aviv. Analysts suggest the exchange underscores the deepening hostility between the two nations and could influence future security alignments in the Middle East.

The United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey have jointly called on all parties involved in the Gaza ceasefire to uphold their commitments and exercise restraint. The appeal followed a meeting in Miami, where U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the Gaza peace plan with representatives from the four mediating nations. The meeting reviewed the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 10.

The talks took place against the backdrop of renewed Israeli strikes in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Civil Defense Department, six people were killed in an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced civilians, bringing the total Palestinian death toll since the ceasefire’s implementation to around 400. Witkoff reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan and urged cooperation in monitoring compliance.

Officials noted progress in humanitarian aid delivery, partial troop withdrawals, and the return of prisoners’ remains. Discussions also addressed the framework for the ceasefire’s second phase, aimed at sustaining stability and reducing hostilities.

Venezuela has accused the United States of committing 'international piracy' after U.S. forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker in international waters. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the U.S. military 'stole and hijacked' the vessel and detained its crew, calling the move a serious violation of international law. Caracas announced plans to raise the issue before the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral bodies.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed the seizure through Secretary Kristi Noem, who stated on social media that the operation—conducted with support from the Coast Guard and Pentagon—was part of efforts to curb the illicit movement of oil funding narcoterrorism in the region. Washington has long imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil exports, citing links to corruption and criminal networks.

The incident risks escalating tensions between the two nations, already strained by years of sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Analysts expect the dispute to test international maritime law and could influence future negotiations over Venezuela’s oil trade and U.S. enforcement actions in Latin American waters.

The United States has seized another Venezuelan oil tanker off the country’s coast, marking the second such operation this month. US Interior Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the action in a post on X, stating that the Coast Guard, with Pentagon support, carried out the seizure early Saturday. Washington claims the operation targets illicit oil shipments allegedly funding narcoterrorism in the region.

The move follows President Donald Trump’s recent declaration of a “total blockade” on tankers entering or leaving Venezuela under sanctions. Caracas has condemned the seizure, labeling it “serious international piracy” and rejecting Washington’s justification. The Venezuelan government said it views the incident as a violation of international law and sovereignty.

This latest confrontation underscores worsening relations between the two nations as US enforcement of oil sanctions intensifies. Analysts warn that continued maritime seizures could further destabilize regional trade routes and complicate diplomatic efforts to ease sanctions or resume oil exports.

The funeral prayers for six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a terrorist drone attack on a United Nations mission base in Sudan’s Abyei region were held at the Dhaka Cantonment Central Mosque on Sunday morning. Senior military and government officials, including the chiefs of the army, navy, and air force, attended the ceremony alongside family members of the fallen soldiers. Floral tributes were placed on behalf of the President and the Chief Adviser.

The six peacekeepers—hailing from Natore, Kurigram, Rajbari, Kishoreganj, and Gaibandha—were killed in the December 13 attack targeting the UN peacekeeping base. Their bodies arrived in Dhaka on Saturday via Emirates Airlines and were received with full military honors at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A minute of silence was observed, and military personnel saluted the martyrs.

Following the funeral, the bodies were flown by helicopter to their respective hometowns for burial with state honors. The attack has drawn condemnation and renewed attention to the risks faced by Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving in volatile conflict zones under the UN flag.