Gaza's Health Ministry reported that the death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 46,000, with over 109,000 Palestinians wounded. The ministry highlighted that women and children account for more than half of the fatalities. However, the breakdown between fighters and civilians remains unspecified. On the other hand, the Israeli military claims to have eliminated over 17,000 militants but has not provided concrete evidence. Israel asserts that it aims to minimize civilian casualties and attributes civilian deaths to Hamas's presence in residential areas. The ongoing conflict has resulted in tragic incidents, including the recent loss of nine lives, including infants and women, in Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's parliament elected Joseph Aoun, the country's army commander, as the new president, ending a prolonged presidential vacuum. This decision comes after a ceasefire agreement halted a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon is now focusing on international aid for post-war reconstruction efforts. Aoun's election is seen as crucial for securing support from the United States and Saudi Arabia to facilitate Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and fund the rebuilding process.
In another development, Turkey announced that over 52,000 Syrian refugees have returned to Syria from Turkey following Bashar Assad's removal from power. The voluntary repatriation process is gaining momentum, with families reuniting and individuals crossing the border independently. Turkey, which hosted millions of Syrian refugees during the civil war, continues to support safe and dignified returns to Syria.
Lastly, the Israeli military has imposed stricter regulations on media coverage of the conflict in Gaza to prevent potential legal repercussions for soldiers. The new rules include limitations on soldier interviews and filming in combat zones, with a focus on protecting soldiers' identities and ensuring compliance with international law. Israel emphasizes its commitment to minimizing civilian harm while targeting Hamas's military infrastructure embedded in civilian areas.
Amid these developments, families of American hostages in Gaza plan to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration to advocate for their loved ones' safe return. Trump's administration is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, underscoring the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflicts in the region.
