At least 91 Palestinians were killed within 24 hours in Gaza as Israeli forces intensified their bombardment. Among the dead were five family members of Dr. Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital. Hamas condemned the attack, calling it a “bloody terrorist message” aimed at forcing medical professionals to flee Gaza. Since October 2023, Israel has reportedly killed 1,700 healthcare workers and detained another 400. Israeli forces are pushing to seize Gaza City, driving residents toward what they call “concentration zones” in the south. According to Palestinian Civil Defense, nearly 450,000 people have fled Gaza since August, while more than 20 high-rise buildings have been destroyed in just the last two weeks.

The United Kingdom may formally recognize Palestine as an independent state this Sunday afternoon, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to make the announcement. The Starmer administration had earlier signaled in July that recognition would be considered if Israel failed to commit to a ceasefire in Gaza and to a long-term peace framework under a two-state solution. Tel Aviv has strongly criticized the move. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said such recognition would “reward terrorism.” Meanwhile, France, Canada, Australia, Portugal, and Luxembourg have already declared their intention to recognize Palestine.

In Nilphamari’s Dimla upazila, more than a hundred leaders and activists of the Ganadhikar Parishad have announced their resignation, citing widespread irregularities and what they termed as “committee trading.” At a press conference, the disgruntled members alleged that both central and district committees were engaging in misconduct, favoritism, and violations of party discipline. They accused senior leaders of inducting unqualified individuals into local committees in exchange for money, without following any rules. Such practices, they said, have tarnished their image locally and caused significant harm to grassroots activists. The mass resignation was announced in the presence of Dimla upazila Ganadhikar Parishad president Rezaul Karim, general secretary Masud Rana, and nearly a hundred other members.

Tensions are running high at Gono University ahead of the central student council election, after VP candidate Sheikh Khodar Noor Islam sought refuge at the campus journalists’ association office fearing an attack. He remained there for nearly two and a half hours until another VP candidate, Nasim, escorted him out around 6 pm. Khodar Noor, formerly the Dhaka (North) convener of JCD, alleged that anonymous Facebook accounts had been posting defamatory content against him, sparking disputes with rival candidate Tanzit’s supporters. Meanwhile, Tanzit accused Noor of threatening him for supporting rival VP candidate Rakib. Witnesses said heated arguments escalated into shoving and threats of police involvement. After being escorted out, Noor dismissed the intervention as political showmanship: “There’s no need to do politics in the name of rescuing me. We don’t want this kind of drama.”

The student movement at Rajshahi University (RU) has intensified, as demonstrators attempted to break the main gate of the Vice Chancellor’s residence late Saturday night after 40 hours of hunger strike yielded no results. At least 7–8 students are currently on hunger strike until death. One protester, Ariful Islam, said: “If I die, bury me beside my mother’s grave, and let the movement continue.” The campus has already witnessed locking of the Pro-VC’s residence, protests in front of the Juberi Building, and scuffles between students and staff. RU Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman said police have been deployed on campus but assured that law enforcers would not touch the students physically.

Islami Andolon leader Muhammad Faizul Karim has criticized the interim government, accusing it of losing neutrality by leaning towards a single political party. “The interim government has failed to meet the nation’s expectations. Now they are showing bias, which is eroding their credibility,” he said. On the debate over proportional representation (PR) in elections, Karim argued that opposition to PR lacks strong justification, noting that the system is widely practiced in many countries.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan has praised the successful completion of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, calling it a milestone for student democracy. “To continue students’ practice of expression, leadership, and democratic engagement, institutional platforms like DUCSU are essential,” he said. Khan emphasized the need to rise above narrow partisanship and violence for the greater interest of the nation. He also highlighted cooperation between universities, noting that institutions like Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) extended constant support and goodwill during the process. “We managed to complete the DUCSU election in a manner accepted by the nation, with contributions from many and by Allah’s mercy,” the VC said. He also reflected warmly on Noakhali, describing its people as “struggling, hospitable, and among the best in the country.”

BNP leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu has said that no conspiracy will be able to block the BNP’s victory in the upcoming national election. “Stay united,” Dulu urged supporters. “I firmly believe that under the leadership of Tarique Rahman and three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, BNP will return to power. Nothing can prevent this victory.”

A gun battle erupted between the Bangladesh Army and members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Jagapara, Khagrachhari, early Saturday morning. According to the Army, troops from the Panchhari sub-zone carried out a raid at the home of active UPDF (Main) member Manek Chakma, where 15–20 armed militants were present. The militants opened fire as troops advanced, prompting soldiers to retaliate. Following the clash, a search operation recovered a Russian pistol, two magazines, 8 rounds of pistol ammunition, 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a walkie-talkie set, a first-aid box, and uniforms used by the group. Police are preparing to file cases against key individuals linked to the incident.

BNP leader Afroza Khanom Rita has called on party activists to avoid misconduct such as grabbing sand depots or ferry ghats, urging instead to focus on grassroots campaigning. “With no movement on the streets right now, our only task is to go door-to-door, to every village and neighborhood, and ask for votes for BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol,” Rita said. She warned that opponents are quick to magnify even minor mistakes into major scandals to mislead the public. “We must remain alert, deliver BNP’s ideals to the people, and thwart conspiracies against the party,” she stressed.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, has announced his candidacy as an independent MP from Dhaka-8 in the upcoming national election. Hadi voiced opposition to the introduction of Proportional Representation (PR) in the lower house, claiming it would allow the ruling Awami League to push more candidates forward. “We don’t want PR in the lower house. But we definitely want it in the upper house,” he said. Hadi revealed a “one-page manifesto,” which will be displayed at Shahbagh intersection. “If the people send us to parliament, we will be accountable for how many promises we kept and how many we couldn’t,” he added. He further noted that while he welcomes support from political parties, he does not intend to run as a candidate under the BNP’s “paddy sheaf” or Jamaat’s “scales” symbols.

Ganosamhati Andolon’s chief coordinator Zonayed Saki has warned that certain political groups are attempting to capitalize on the recent coup atmosphere to serve their own interests. “One group is trying to exploit the people’s struggle against Sheikh Hasina for its own political agenda,” Saki said. “They want to grab power and establish dominance in Bangladesh. But if anyone attempts to snatch away the people’s democratic rights again, the people will resist.” He urged citizens to stay united and organized to safeguard democratic values.

The Rajshahi University (RU) administration has suspended admission activities under the reinstated “pet quota” following days of student protests. In an official statement posted on the university’s Facebook page, authorities announced an emergency syndicate meeting scheduled for Sunday to review the overall situation. Earlier, students from 17 residential halls staged a mass protest, surrounding the Vice Chancellor’s residence late at night and issuing an ultimatum to revoke the quota by midnight. Meanwhile, RU teachers, officers, and staff declared a full-day work stoppage for Sunday after alleging that pro-quota protesters harassed university officials, including the Pro-Vice Chancellor, following a senate meeting.

Jatiya Party Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud has claimed that Bangladesh’s administration is now fully politicized, questioning how a free and fair election can be held under such circumstances. He said the 2024 election was one-sided, leading to public disengagement from the voting process. If history repeats, he warned, Bangladesh risks sliding into authoritarian rule akin to Hitler and Mussolini’s regimes. Highlighting political hypocrisy, Anisul said: “Those branding Jatiya Party as collaborators once contested elections alongside Awami League. Before the 2014 polls, we held multiple meetings with BNP for an alliance, but BNP’s disinterest thwarted it. Today, Jamaat demands our ban, but we never sought to ban them. In fact, when Awami League banned Jamaat, Jatiya Party opposed it.”

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has issued a strong condemnation and protest against BNP leader Nilufar Chowdhury Moni for blaming the organization for the murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad. In a statement, the student body demanded that Moni immediately apologize to the nation for what they termed as a baseless and misleading remark. Senior leaders of the organization said her comments not only distort the truth but also undermine Bangladesh’s 16-year-long struggle against fascism. They asserted that Abrar was brutally tortured and murdered by activists of the banned ruling party student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, simply for speaking out against imperialism. According to Shibir, labeling Abrar with a “Shibir tag” was a deliberate ploy used by his attackers—something later established in court verdicts. Chhatra Shibir leaders further emphasized that under what they described as a “fascist regime,” their organization has been among the most persecuted in the country. They accused the BNP leader of shielding the crimes of the Awami League and its student wing by scapegoating Shibir. “Her remarks raise a serious question among the people—whether she is in fact acting as an agent for the fallen fascists,” the statement concluded.