A 65-year-old Palestinian gravedigger, Yusuf Abu Hatab, from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, has described the overwhelming toll of the ongoing conflict. He claims to have buried between 17,000 and 18,000 people during Israel’s military operations, often under extreme conditions with limited tools and materials. Many of the dead were unidentified, forcing mass and improvised burials in courtyards, hospitals, and even sports fields. According to Gaza’s media office, around 71,000 people have been killed and more than 171,000 injured since the war began in October 2023, most of them women and children. Despite a ceasefire declared in October, reports of violations and continued airstrikes persist, leaving hundreds more dead. Abu Hatab said he often worked from dawn until after sunset, sometimes burying up to 100 bodies a day. The account underscores Gaza’s deep humanitarian collapse, with destroyed cemeteries, blocked aid routes, and psychological trauma among survivors. Humanitarian groups continue to warn that without open crossings and reconstruction materials, the crisis will worsen further.

Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election has sparked intra-alliance tension as Barrister Rumeen Farhana, a central executive member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), announced her independent candidacy in Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj). The seat was allocated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Junayed Al-Habib under a BNP-Jamiat electoral understanding. Despite not receiving the BNP nomination, Rumeen declared her intention to contest independently during a local event in Sarail, fueling speculation of internal rifts. The BNP and Jamiat recently formalized an agreement granting Jamiat four constituencies—Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Sylhet-5, and Brahmanbaria-2. Under new electoral rules, Jamiat candidates must run using their party’s ‘date tree’ symbol rather than BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’. Party officials confirmed this arrangement in a joint press conference at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office. Analysts suggest Rumeen’s independent bid could test BNP’s alliance discipline and voter cohesion in key constituencies. The development underscores the complexities of opposition coordination ahead of the national polls.

The Gaza Government Media Office has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement 875 times since it took effect on October 10, 2025. According to the office’s statement released Monday, Israeli attacks have killed at least 411 Palestinians and injured 1,112 others during this period. The reported violations include 265 incidents of direct gunfire at civilians, 49 military incursions into residential areas, 421 shelling operations, and the destruction of 150 homes. The office further alleged that Israel has failed to meet its humanitarian obligations under the truce. Only 17,819 of the 42,800 aid trucks agreed upon have entered Gaza, averaging 244 per day instead of the expected 600. Fuel deliveries have reached just 10% of the agreed amount, with only 394 trucks allowed in. Officials warned that hospitals, bakeries, and water systems are near collapse, creating an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis.” The statement urged mediating nations and the international community to ensure safe delivery of aid and fuel, warning that without immediate action, Gaza’s humanitarian disaster will deepen further.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reached an electoral understanding with Bangladesh Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam ahead of the 13th national election. Under the agreement, BNP will not field candidates in four constituencies where Jamiat will contest, while Jamiat will refrain from competing in BNP-allocated seats. The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Despite BNP’s endorsement, Jamiat candidates will not be allowed to use the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. Instead, they must contest under their own ‘date tree’ emblem, in line with recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) approved by the interim government’s advisory council. The four constituencies allocated to Jamiat are Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Sylhet-5, and Brahmanbaria-2. Political analysts view this alliance as a strategic move to consolidate opposition votes against the ruling party. However, the restriction on shared symbols may limit the coalition’s visibility among voters. The coming weeks will test how effectively the alliance can coordinate its campaign under separate banners.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against 17 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed. The charges relate to alleged enforced disappearances and torture at the Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The order was issued on Tuesday by a three-member judicial panel headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar. The tribunal’s decision marks a significant legal development involving some of the country’s most senior political and security figures. The accused also include former and current military officers. While detailed charges and trial dates are yet to be disclosed, the case has drawn widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendants. Human rights groups have long raised concerns about alleged abuses by security agencies, and this move may signal a shift toward judicial accountability. Observers say the proceedings could have far-reaching political and institutional implications, testing the independence of Bangladesh’s judiciary and the state’s stance on human rights violations.

A Feni court has issued arrest warrants against Nizam Uddin Hazari, general secretary of the Feni district Awami League, and 71 other fugitives in connection with the killing of autorickshaw driver Md. Sabuj during a protest in August 2024. The order was given by Senior Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Hasan of the Feni Sadar court after accepting the charge sheet filed by police. According to case records, Sabuj was shot dead when armed activists of the Awami League and its now-banned affiliates opened fire on demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The case, filed by Sabuj’s brother, named 65 individuals and implicated up to 400 others. Police later charged 124 people, of whom 54 have been arrested so far, while 71 remain at large. Authorities stated that copies of the arrest warrants will soon be sent to local police stations. The case is one of 24 filed over the violent crackdown, including seven murder and 17 attempted murder cases, highlighting ongoing political tensions in Feni.

BJP legislator and Jammu & Kashmir opposition leader Sunil Sharma declared that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not remain silent on matters concerning Bangladesh and Pakistan. Speaking at a protest in Kishtwar organized by Hindu groups, Sharma linked recent violence in Bangladesh, including the killing of a Hindu worker, to what he described as an international conspiracy aimed at destabilizing India and provoking regional conflict. Sharma asserted that countries like the United States and China fear Modi’s leadership and that he symbolizes hope for Hindus in Bangladesh. He further claimed that India’s growing economic and military strength toward 2047 has prompted attempts by rival nations to weaken it. Protesters submitted a memorandum to local authorities and announced plans to appeal to India’s top leadership for intervention to protect Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The remarks come amid heightened political sensitivity ahead of Bangladesh’s 2026 elections. Sharma also questioned the silence of international organizations on minority rights in Bangladesh, alleging that unrest there may be intended to delay the polls.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Greenland is essential to American national security and should come under U.S. control, following his appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for Greenland affairs. The move has sparked renewed diplomatic tension with Denmark, which retains sovereignty over the Arctic island. Copenhagen reacted sharply, summoning the U.S. ambassador for an explanation. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the appointment 'deeply concerning,' warning that Denmark would not accept any action undermining its territorial integrity. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized that only Greenlanders can decide their future, expressing openness to cooperation with the U.S. based on mutual respect. The controversy revives Trump’s earlier 2019 attempt to purchase Greenland, rejected by both Denmark and Greenland. Analysts see the latest step as part of Washington’s growing strategic focus on the Arctic amid rising competition with Russia and China. The European Union has voiced full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, underscoring the geopolitical stakes of the unfolding dispute.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency, announced that her campaign fund received over Tk 1.2 million in just seven hours. The announcement came early Tuesday through her verified Facebook page, where she expressed gratitude for the overwhelming public support. The fundraising drive began Monday night as part of her effort to finance her election campaign. According to Jara, the campaign’s total target is Tk 4.69 million, with fundraising to stop once Tk 3.4 million more is collected. She noted that donations through the mobile payment platform bKash were temporarily halted after reaching transaction limits, but contributions could still be made via bank accounts. Jara also shared screenshots of the donation accounts, emphasizing transparency and accountability in fund management. The rapid response highlights growing citizen engagement in digital political fundraising in Bangladesh. Observers say such initiatives may reshape campaign financing norms, especially among younger and tech-savvy voters ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Police in Khulna have detained a young woman named Tonima Tonbi in connection with the shooting of Md. Motaleb Shikdar, the divisional convener of the National Workers’ Power (NCP). Authorities confirmed that the shooting occurred at Tonbi’s rented residence on Monday afternoon. Detective Branch Officer-in-Charge Taimur Islam verified the arrest late Monday night but said more details would be shared after further investigation. Earlier, the victim’s wife, Fahima Taslim Jhumur, held a press conference at Khulna Press Club, urging police to arrest Tonbi and her husband Miraj for questioning. She stated that her husband had gone to Khulna Medical College Hospital on Sunday night to visit a patient and did not return home. The next morning, she was informed that he had been shot. Police have yet to determine the motive or identify the shooter. The victim’s family has demanded a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today, December 23, on whether to formally frame charges against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 army officers in a case involving alleged abductions and torture at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The three-member judicial panel, led by Chairman Golam Mortuza Majumdar, scheduled the ruling after concluding hearings earlier this month. The case names 17 accused in total, including 10 currently in custody and seven absconding, among them former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-RAB chief Benazir Ahmed. Defense lawyers have sought dismissal of the charges, while prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim urged the tribunal to proceed with trial. Hearings were previously postponed on December 21 following defense requests for special arguments. The tribunal’s decision will determine whether a full trial begins against the former leader and senior military officials. The proceedings are being closely watched both domestically and internationally for their potential political and legal implications in post-Hasina Bangladesh.

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to relinquish power, describing such a move as the most “intelligent decision” for the long-time leader. Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump warned that Maduro’s continued grip on power could worsen his political situation. The remarks come amid Washington’s tightening naval blockade targeting Venezuela’s oil sector, which the U.S. accuses of funding criminal activities including narcotics trafficking and human rights abuses. Russia has strongly condemned the U.S. actions, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labeling the naval operations and oil tanker seizures as threats to international maritime freedom and regional stability. Venezuela, backed by Russia and China, has requested a United Nations Security Council meeting, accusing the U.S. of “international piracy” and attempts at regime change. Maduro, in a letter to UN member states, warned that the blockade could disrupt global energy supplies. The escalating standoff underscores deepening geopolitical friction between Washington and Moscow over Latin America’s strategic oil resources.

A draft report from the U.S. Department of Defense alleges that China has deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) across three newly built silo fields near its border with Mongolia. The report, cited by Reuters, suggests Beijing shows little interest in arms control talks despite Washington’s calls for renewed disarmament dialogue. According to the Pentagon, China is modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other nuclear power. Beijing has rejected the allegations, calling them an attempt to tarnish its image and mislead the international community. The report estimates China’s nuclear warhead count exceeded 600 in 2024 and could surpass 1,000 by 2030 if current trends continue. The document also raises concerns about China’s military ambitions toward Taiwan, suggesting Beijing aims to achieve the capability to prevail in a potential conflict by 2027. China maintains that its nuclear policy remains defensive and adheres to a “no first use” principle.

Authorities in Comilla have reported growing concerns over illegal arms entering Bangladesh through the Tripura border as the 13th national election approaches. The issue follows the unsolved case of 17 police firearms looted during last year’s student protests, which remain unrecovered. Recent Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) operations have seized both narcotics and foreign pistols, intensifying public anxiety about potential election-related violence. Local political leaders and residents have expressed frustration at the administration’s failure to recover the missing weapons. Opposition figures allege that fugitive members of the former ruling party are orchestrating arms inflows from India to disrupt the polls. BGB officials confirmed that firearms were found alongside drugs in recent raids, marking the first such discovery in the district. Police say joint efforts with the army and Rapid Action Battalion are ongoing to locate the missing weapons. Security analysts warn that the combination of unrecovered police arms and new smuggling routes could destabilize the region if not swiftly contained before election day.

A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the 14-storey Haji Tower in Babubazar, Armanitola, Old Dhaka. The blaze started on the sixth floor around 6:40 a.m., prompting an immediate response from the Fire Service and Civil Defence. Within five minutes of receiving the alert, firefighters reached the scene and engaged nine units from Sadarghat, Sutrapur, and Siddikbazar stations. The fire was brought under control by 7:20 a.m. Officials from the Fire Service’s media wing confirmed that no casualties or injuries had been reported as of press time. The cause of the fire and the extent of property damage remain under investigation. Authorities stated that a detailed assessment will follow once the site is fully secured. This incident highlights ongoing fire safety challenges in densely populated areas of Old Dhaka, where narrow roads and aging infrastructure often complicate emergency responses. Investigators are expected to review building safety compliance and electrical systems in the coming days.