Gaza experienced its most violent day since the signing of a ceasefire agreement in Egypt. Both Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the agreement, leading to the deaths of numerous Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers. Israeli warplanes retaliated against Hamas, while Hamas accused Israel of supporting a criminal gang. In an effort to stabilize the situation, American envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to visit Israel, and Israel will allow aid to resume, though the Rafah crossing remains closed.
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As the freed Gaza hostages return, they are sharing stories of their captivity, revealing a range of experiences. Some endured torture and extreme conditions, while others, surprisingly, interacted with their captors through activities like cooking and playing cards. Despite these varying circumstances, all the hostages faced moments of significant danger and hardship. Specific accounts detail starvation, isolation, and psychological manipulation by Hamas, alongside instances of captors speaking Hebrew. These individual experiences, from enduring solitary confinement to witnessing tunnel collapses, highlight the resilience and enduring impact of their time in captivity.
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The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Russia to pay Georgia over €250 million for human rights violations stemming from the 2008 conflict. The court determined Russia was responsible for excessive force, ill-treatment, unlawful detention, and restricted movement in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This compensation is intended for more than 29,000 victims. Despite Russia’s departure from the Council of Europe in 2022, the court maintains its liability for violations committed before that time, noting Moscow has often defied its rulings.
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John Q. Hosedrinker