February 15, 2025

* Palestine awaits freedom of 369 citizens from Israeli jails Israel is set to free 369 Palestinians as part of the sixth exchange since the Gaza ceasefire, often breached by Tel Aviv, that took effect on January 19. In a statement, the Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office, affiliated with Hamas resistance group, said the released will include 36 Palestinians serving life sentences and 333 from Gaza who were abducted by Israel after October 7, 2023. Twenty-four of the released will be sent abroad. In return, Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced the names of three Israeli captives scheduled for release as part of the swap deal. * Erdogan warns of US 'miscalculation' on Gaza Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called the approval of forced displacement completely unacceptable and described it as pure brutality, referring to US President Donald Trump's proposal for the future of Palestine's Gaza. Discussing the United States' approach to the Middle East, Erdogan criticised its miscalculations, remarking, "One should not disregard the region's history, values, and heritage." "We expect Trump to fulfil the promise he made before the election. He should take steps to build peace, not start a new war," Erdogan said * Jewish People Say No to Ethnic Cleansing' — 350+ rabbis sign NYT ad More than 350 rabbis, alongside Jewish creatives and activists, have signed a full-page ad in The New York Times condemning President Donald Trump's controversial proposal for the forced expulsion of over 2 million Palestinians from Gaza. The ad features signatories from diverse Jewish denominations and notable figures such as Tony Kushner, Ilana Glazer, Joaquin Phoenix and Peter Beinart. The text of the ad on NYT's page A7 reads: "Trump has called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza. Jewish people say NO to ethnic cleansing!" * M23 rebels enter eastern DRC's Bukavu city M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have entered the region's second-largest city of Bukavu, the latest ground gained since a major escalation of their yearslong fighting with government forces. The M23 rebels entered the city's Kazingu and Bagira zone and were advancing towards the centre of the city of about 1.3 million people. Videos posted online appeared to show rebels marching toward the Bagira area. * Roadside bomb kills multiple mine workers in Pakistan's Balochistan A bomb targeting a vehicle carrying coal miners in southwestern Pakistan killed at least 11 people and wounded six others. The truck had brought the workers to a mine in the Harnai area of Balochistan province, where Pakistan is battling insurgency. A military official has said that an improvised explosive device was planted at the roadside which exploded when truck carting coal miners reached the site.