February 19, 2024

*) Israel insists on attacking Gaza to ‘impose displacement’

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel insists on continuing its attacks on Gaza to “impose displacement,” especially on the city of Rafah.

In a meeting of the Palestinian government held in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Abbas said the Israeli government and its army are continuing their attacks on various cities in Gaza, especially Rafah, with the aim of forcibly displacing citizens.

He added that the situation in Rafah has become “extremely dangerous and difficult.”

*) Israel to restrict Palestinian access to Al Aqsa Mosque in Ramadan

Israel approved restricting the entry of Palestinians living in Israel and Jerusalem to the Al Aqsa Mosque during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, beginning in the second week of next month, local media claimed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his approval to the recommendations of far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Netanyahu gave the approval despite the country’s security agency warning that restrictions on Palestinians’ access to the Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan could add fuel to the fire.

*) US strikes Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen: Military

US forces in the Red Sea conducted “five self-defence strikes” to foil attacks by land and sea from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, US Central Command said.

It said it struck three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel and one unmanned surface vessel.

Central Command said it had determined the missiles and vessels presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant ships in the area.

*) Militia kills 15 in eastern DRC: local sources

Militia fighters killed 15 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s troubled Ituri province, local sources said.

This was the second such attack in less than a week.

The sources said the CODECO (Cooperative for the Development of the Congo) militia, which claims to defend the interests of the Lendu group, again targeted victims from the rival Hema tribe.

And finally…

*) Türkiye celebrates anniversary of joining NATO alliance

The Turkish National Defence Ministry commemorated Türkiye’s 72nd anniversary of joining NATO.

The commemoration underscored the nation’s steadfast commitment to its obligations and responsibilities within the alliance.

A ministry posted on X said that “as the second-largest military force within the Alliance, Türkiye proudly occupies a pivotal position at its core.”