Civilian Casualties -

reported killed in an Israeli airstrike on a designated humanitarian zone.

At least 13 people were reported killed in an Israeli airstrike on a designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, according to a local hospital. The attack hit a camp for displaced Palestinians in the al-Mawasi area, southwest of Khan Younis, late at night, causing widespread devastation and craters up to 7 meters (23 feet) deep.

Devastation in al-Mawasi

Residents described horrific scenes in the aftermath of the airstrike. Witnesses said three missiles hit a crowded tent camp that houses hundreds of displaced families who were told by Israeli authorities to take refuge there for their own safety. The al-Mawasi area, already packed with people fleeing other parts of Gaza, has now become another tragic site in the ongoing conflict.

Witnesses reported hearing large explosions shortly after midnight, followed by flames shooting up into the night sky. “The attacks created three craters seven metres [23 feet] deep and buried more than 20 tents,” said Khaled Mahmoud, a charity volunteer who lives near the area. Mahmoud and other volunteers rushed to the scene to help, but were stunned by the scale of the devastation and chaos.

Conflicting reports on casualty count

An initial casualty report from the Hamas-run Civil Defence Authority indicated that more than 40 people were killed and more than 60 injured. It also warned that many more people could still be trapped under the rubble. However, the Israeli military challenged this figure and said the death toll was lower.

Later, an official at Khan Younis’s Nasser Hospital confirmed that 13 bodies were brought in after the attack. The exact number of casualties is still unclear, as the situation remains volatile and rescue operations continue in challenging conditions.

Israel’s justification for the attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement taking responsibility for the airstrike, saying it had targeted “several senior Hamas militants” operating in the area. According to the IDF, the targeted individuals included Samir Abu Dakka, the head of Hamas’s aerial unit, and Osama Tabesh, responsible for the observation and targeting department in Hamas’ military intelligence. The IDF said that prior to the attack, extensive intelligence gathering and continuous aerial surveillance had confirmed the presence of these Hamas commanders and other operatives in the area.

The IDF accused Hamas of deploying its operatives and military assets in civilian areas, including designated humanitarian areas, effectively using civilians as human shields. The Israeli military stressed that the attack was “precise” and aimed only at eliminating prominent Hamas figures.

Hamas condemns attack as “genocide”

In response to the airstrike, Hamas condemned the Israeli military operation as a “heinous massacre”. A Hamas statement rejected the IDF’s claim that a command and control center existed in the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, calling it a “blatant lie” and said it was intended to justify “heinous crimes” against civilians. Hamas has repeatedly denied allegations of using civilian areas for military purposes and insisted that no member of its organization was operating within civilian gatherings.

Context: Ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis

The latest attack in al-Mawasi comes amid an ongoing conflict that erupted after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7. According to Israeli sources, about 1,200 people were killed in that attack and 251 others were taken hostage and taken back to Gaza. Since then Israel has launched a major military operation aimed at eliminating Hamas infrastructure in Gaza, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly. More than 40,980 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. More than 1.9 million people, representing more than 80% of Gaza’s population, are believed to have been displaced, with many forced to flee multiple times as the conflict escalated.

Living conditions in al-Mawasi

The al-Mawasi area, once considered a relatively safe area for displaced Palestinians, has been flooded with people fleeing other conflict-torn areas of Gaza. With limited resources, al-Mawasi’s residents live in makeshift tents and crowded conditions, struggling with shortages of food, water and medical supplies. The latest airstrikes have added to the misery of an already suffering population.

After the attack, scenes of devastation were evident everywhere. Vehicles were buried under piles of sand, tents were torn to pieces, and people were seen desperately looking for their loved ones amid the rubble. Rescue teams and volunteers continued to dig through the rubble in hopes of finding survivors, but the chances were constantly diminishing.

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict,

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russian authorities have reported a series of drone strikes carried out by Ukraine that killed one person, injured several others and set residential buildings on fire. These attacks took place in several regions of Russia, including Moscow, and disrupted normal life, affected flights and forced people to evacuate.

Multiple drone strikes across Russia

According to Russian authorities, their air defense managed to shoot down 144 Ukrainian drones overnight. However, despite these efforts, some drones successfully hit their targets, causing widespread damage and fear among residents. Moscow regional governor Andrei Vorobyov confirmed that a 46-year-old woman lost her life in one of the drone strikes in Ramenskoye, a town in the Moscow region. In addition, three other people were injured, and 43 residents were forced to evacuate their homes to temporary shelters.

The drone strikes set several apartments in two high-rise buildings in Ramenskoye on fire. Local emergency services responded quickly, but by the time they arrived, the damage was extensive. Governor Vorobyov described the incident as a “deliberate attack on civilians”, highlighting the increased threat posed by these drone strikes.

Airports closed in Moscow

The impact of the attacks was not limited to the affected buildings. State media reported that four major Moscow airports were temporarily closed due to the drone strikes. More than 30 domestic and international flights were suspended or delayed, causing panic and frustration among passengers. The Russian aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, later announced on its Telegram channel that three airports—Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Vnukovo—had resumed operations after ensuring it was safe to do so.

The fourth airport, Sheremetyevo, remained closed for a longer period of time, reflecting the heightened alert and potential threats in the airspace around Moscow. This disruption of air travel to Moscow is the most significant since the conflict began, affecting thousands of passengers.

Ukraine’s response and the ongoing drone war

So far, Ukrainian authorities have not commented on these latest drone attacks on Russian soil. However, the Ukrainian military has regularly carried out drone attacks on Russian targets as part of its strategy in the ongoing conflict. These attacks often target military installations, supply depots, and other strategic sites, but can sometimes hit civilian areas as well.

On the other hand, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that its air defense forces successfully intercepted 38 of the 46 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia that same night. The drones targeted several Ukrainian cities and regions, including Kyiv, Odessa, Kherson, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Poltava. The Ukrainian military also mentioned that Russia launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and a Kh-31 air-to-surface missile during these attacks, further escalating the ongoing conflict.

Rising tensions and recent gains in eastern Ukraine

As these drone attacks continue, Moscow has claimed significant gains in the eastern part of Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that its forces had captured at least three villages, including Memrik, Novohrodivka, and Krasnohorivka. These villages are strategically important, located close to the major city of Pokrovsk, and their capture is seen as a tactical advantage for Russian forces in the region.

The Russian military has described these captures as “liberations,” while Ukrainian forces have not yet confirmed or commented on these developments. However, sources within Ukraine have indicated that Ukrainian forces may be retreating from some areas, including Novohrodivka. This withdrawal may signal a strategic repositioning by Ukrainian forces in response to changing dynamics on the ground.

Civilian impact and humanitarian concerns

The ongoing drone war has brought significant hardship to civilians on both sides of the conflict. In Ramenskoye, the death of a civilian woman and the injury of others has sparked outrage and fear among the local population. With residential buildings set on fire and people displaced from their homes, the human cost of these attacks is becoming increasingly evident.

Humanitarian agencies and international organisations have expressed deep concern at the escalating violence and its impact on civilians. The indiscriminate nature of drone strikes, which often fail to distinguish between military and civilian targets, poses serious risks to the lives and safety of ordinary people caught in the crossfire.

The broader picture: Russia’s recent attacks on Ukrainian cities

In recent weeks, Russia has escalated its missile and drone attacks on various Ukrainian cities. Deadly attacks have been reported in Lviv, Poltava and Kharkiv, causing significant destruction and loss of life.

In a tragic escalation in Sudan’s ongoing civil war,

In a tragic escalation in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, at least 21 people have been killed and more than 70 injured after shelling opened fire on a crowded market in the city of Sennar, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The latest attack, described as a “massacre” of civilians, took place on Sunday and has further intensified the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The shelling was reportedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group deeply involved in the conflict that has been going on in Sudan since April last year. The incident underlines the dire situation in Sudan, where the civil war between the army and the RSF has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced more than 10 million people, making it one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

A desperate humanitarian crisis
The conflict in Sudan has devastated communities and led to widespread suffering. Since the fighting began, both the RSF and the Sudanese army have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians. The RSF, which controls much of Khartoum, Kordofan and Darfur, has been particularly criticised for its brutal tactics, including the use of rape as a weapon of war and the targeting of ethnic communities in a campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Sennar’s position in a strategically important region has been a flashpoint in the conflict due to its proximity to Ethiopia and South Sudan and its rich agricultural resources. The RSF’s attempt to take control of Sennar has faced resistance from the Sudanese army, which still occupies the city despite the RSF’s control of much of the surrounding kingdom.

International response and challenges
The international community has struggled to respond effectively to the crisis. Most recently, the Sudanese army rejected a proposal from UN experts to deploy an international force to protect civilians. This rejection followed a series of failed peace talks brokered by Saudi Arabia and the US. Despite these efforts, the conflict shows no signs of abating.

The UN is investigating possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both sides in the conflict. Their findings, which describe appalling conditions and abuses, have been denied by the Sudanese government. The government, led by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, rejected the UN mission’s recommendations and criticized the Human Rights Council as a biased entity.

Human Rights Watch reports that despite the arms embargo, new weapons continue to flow into Sudan. The group has documented the use of advanced weapons, including armed drones and anti-tank missiles, obtained from various countries such as China, Iran, Russia, Serbia and the UAE.

The RSF and international mobility
The RSF, led by Mohammed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, emerged from the Janjaweed militia, which was notoriously involved in the Darfur genocide in 2003. The RSF has tried to raise its international profile and gain legitimacy by participating in peace talks in Switzerland, although these efforts did not receive the support of the Sudanese military.

The power struggle in Sudan is further complicated by international coalitions. The Sudanese military is backed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, while the RSF is reportedly backed by the United Arab Emirates, although the UAE has denied any involvement.

“Kharkiv Struck: 41 Injured in Latest Russian Air Raids”

In the latest escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russian airstrikes have badly hit the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, injuring at least 41 people, including five children. The airstrikes targeted various civilian sites, causing significant damage and a humanitarian crisis.

Destruction in Kharkiv

On the morning of the attack, regional officials, including Oleh Sinihubov, reported that Russian forces had carried out several attacks in Kharkiv. The sites attacked included a busy supermarket and a sports complex frequently visited by local residents. Sinihubov claimed that these attacks were part of a deliberate strategy by Moscow to target civilian infrastructure.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in response to the attacks, “Russia is once again terrorizing Kharkiv, attacking civilian infrastructure and the city.” He called for increased support from Western allies, urging them to provide Ukraine with the resources it needs to defend itself more effectively.

The airstrikes, which reportedly involved ballistic missiles, have caused considerable destruction in Kharkiv. Rescue operations are underway, with authorities fearing some people may be trapped under the rubble. Videos shared on social media captured the moment of the attack and the explosions that followed, highlighting the severity of the strikes.

Ukrainian retaliation

The attacks on Kharkiv by Russia came after Ukraine carried out a series of drone strikes overnight against targets in Russia. Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted several locations, including energy facilities, in retaliation for continued attacks on Ukrainian cities.

In Russia, these drone attacks caused fires at two energy facilities, although no injuries or deaths were reported. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that more than 158 Ukrainian drones targeted 15 regions, including Moscow. Russian officials reported that the drones were intercepted and destroyed, but fires broke out at an oil refinery in Moscow and the Konakovo power station, located about 75 miles from the Russian capital.

While the extent of the damage is still being assessed, Russian media has confirmed fires at these facilities, although local officials have said the fires have been brought under control.

Ongoing conflict and casualties

The violence in Kharkiv and counter-drone attacks are part of a broader pattern of escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Most recently, a 23-year-old truck driver was killed in the Sumy region when a Russian airstrike targeted a grain convoy. Four other individuals were injured in the attack, which resulted in significant damage to several trucks.

This photo released by Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov’s Telegram channel on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, firefighters extinguish a burning car in the courtyard of an apartment building after a missile attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the city of Belgorod and the Belgorod region of Russia. (Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov Telegram channel via AP)

In addition to the attacks on Kharkiv and Sumy, Ukraine’s air force reported destroying eight of the eleven Russian drones targeting various facilities, including in the Mykolaiv region. The conflict is taking a heavy toll on both sides, with military operations continuing and casualties being reported daily.

In Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, Russian forces are advancing toward the city of Pokrovsk, a major logistics hub. The situation in Pokrovsk remains challenging for the Ukrainian military, which is working to defend the area despite the ongoing Russian aggression.

Humanitarian impact and international response

The recent escalation of violence has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, as well as the wider impact of the conflict, have led to growing calls for international support and intervention.

President Zelenskyy’s appeal for Western assistance reflects the urgent need for additional resources to address the growing casualties and damage caused by the conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with ongoing discussions about how best to support Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against aggression.

In the wake of these attacks, there are concerns about the long-term impact on Kharkiv and other affected areas. The destruction of critical infrastructure, including supermarkets and sports complexes, will have a significant impact on the local population, already struggling with the challenges of living in a conflict zone.

Looking Ahead

As the conflict continues, both Ukraine and Russia are engaged in a high-stakes conflict that not only affects their own populations but also has broader implications for international relations and security. The recent attacks on Kharkiv and retaliatory drone strikes on Russian targets underscore the ongoing volatility of the situation and the need for continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

The international community is still involved, and it is hoped that increased support and intervention can help mitigate the impact of the violence and contribute to a resolution of the crisis. In the meantime, the people of Kharkiv and other affected regions will continue to face challenges posed by the ongoing violence.