August 24, 2024

*) Israel issues flee or die ultimatum in northern Gaza The Israeli military has issued a new ultimatum for tens of thousands of Palestinians in several areas in the northern Gaza, who have nowhere left to go, ordering them to flee ahead of a possible military invasion. The military statement ordered Palestinians to flee towards "shelters" in western Gaza City, claiming it as a "safe area." The Israeli army ordered all those in the 10 neighbourhoods and areas of Al-Salateen, Al-Atatra, Al-Seifa, Al-Karama, and Al-Ghabn to evacuate. *) Biden picks pro-Israel official to direct US policy on Palestine The Biden administration has appointed a senior diplomat seen as a proponent of lethal weapons transfers to Israel to a new role in shaping US policy on the Israel’s war on Gaza. Mira Resnick is taking over the role of the deputy assistant secretary for Israeli-Palestinian affairs in the State Department’s Middle East office after Andrew Miller left the position. Resnick’s appointment raised concern among some foreign policy professionals, and was seen as "alarming" by opponents of President Joe Biden's unconditional support for Israel’s war on Gaza. *) Hundreds of Asian refugees trapped at Sao Paulo's airport Hundreds of asylum seekers from India, Nepal and Vietnam have been stuck in Brazil’s Sao Paulo's international airport for weeks in alarming conditions. At least 666 irregular migrants without visas were waiting to enter Brazil with the added uncertainty that the government plans to tighten entry rules on the flow of foreigners using Brazil as a stopover to get to the United States and Canada. *) Türkiye, Russia resume joint patrols in northern Syria The Turkish National Defence Ministry has announced that Türkiye and Russia have resumed their joint ground patrols in northern Syria, suspended last October due to the deteriorating security situation in the region. The joint patrols are conducted in the Peace Spring Operation as per the Sochi agreement signed between Ankara and Moscow on 22 October 2019. *) Don't use Somaliland country code, Somalia tells airlines Flydubai and Ethiopian Airlines have removed "Somaliland" from their websites after Somalia issued an ultimatum to the carriers, demanding not to use references to the "unrecognised breakaway region" when booking flights. Somalia's government, through its Civil Aviation Authority, sent the warning to Ethiopian Airlines and Flydubai, saying that failing to comply with the directive would bar them from flying over Somalia's airspace.