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Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/16/live-israel-kills-50-in-gaza-plans-to-double-settlements-in-golan-heights

Here are the key developments on the 1,024th day of the Russia-Ukraine war. Fighting Politics and diplomacy Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/14/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-1024

Defence lawyer Ansar Kiyani argues police arrested innocent workers from their homes to meet quotas At least 32 suspects arrested during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI)’s D-Chowk, Islamabad, protest last month have been freed by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the federal capital on Saturday. The individuals were brought for identification before ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain late at night, drawing the judge’s flak over the timing. Defence lawyer Ansar Kiyani argued that police had arrested innocent workers from their homes to meet quotas. The investigating officer requested a 30-day remand for the suspects, citing failure to complete identification procedures since their arrest on November 25. Judge Zulqarnain ordered the suspects’ handcuffs to be removed in court and discharged them from the cases. He sternly warned the police against re-arresting them, saying: “If police do this again, I will have them handcuffed.” The suspects were previously linked to cases filed at I-9 and Margalla police stations. The former ruling party’s much-hyped protest last month in Islamabad, aimed at securing the PTI founder’s release, had culminated in the party’s hasty retreat after the government’s midnight crackdown on the protesters. The party’s protesters were dispersed from the Red Zone in Islamabad following a crackdown by law enforcers with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi taking to their heels, fleeing the protest site. The law enforcement agencies had arrested more than 1,000 supporters of the party who stormed the federal capital to demand his release, the city’s police chief said talking to Reuters on November 27. Khan’s aides had alleged, without immediately providing evidence, that hundreds had suffered gunshot wounds during chaotic scenes overnight in the heart of Islamabad as police dispersed protesters led by Khan’s wife who had broken through security barricades. They also said thousands had been arrested. Islamabad’s police chief, Ali Rizvi, had denied that live ammunition had been used during the operation, which he said police had conducted alongside paramilitary forces. He had said weapons, including automatic rifles and tear gas guns, were seized from the protest site where thousands had gathered. The site was cleared in a matter of hours. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1261507-32-suspects-arrested-during-ptis-d-chowk-protest-discharged

Source:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/14/syria-live-news-israel-bombs-near-damascus-as-syrians-celebrate-freedom

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/11/syria-live-news-new-leaders-call-for-stability-israel-launches-480-raids

Soldier Arif ur Rehman embraced martyrdom during exchange of fire with militants, says ISPRAt least 15 militants were wiped out by the armed forces during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Zhob district, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday.  According to the military’s media wing, the IBO was conducted on December 10 in the general area Sambaza during which own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location. “A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed Khawarij,” said the statement. However, it added, Sep Arif ur Rehman (age 32 years; resident of Mansehra District) embraced martyrdom after fighting gallantly during the intense exchange of fire. “Sanitisation operation is being conducted to neutralize any other Kharji present in the area,” said the ISPR. It said that the security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and sacrifices of the brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve. It is pertinent to mention here that the third quarter (July-September) of 2024 saw a sharp increase in fatalities of terrorist violence and counter-terrorism campaigns, with a 90% surge in violence, according to a report issued by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). A total of 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, while 615 others were wounded in as many as 328 incidents recorded during the period under review. Nearly 97% of these fatalities occurred in KP and Balochistan – marking the highest percentage in a decade, and over 92% of these incidents of terror attacks and security forces’ operations were recorded in the same provinces. The total fatalities from three quarters of this year have now surpassed the total fatalities recorded for the entire 2023; the number of fatalities rose to at least 1534 in the first three quarters compared to 1523 in 2023. Meanwhile, terrorist groups continue to reorganise and beef up their ranks. Most of the terror attacks remained unclaimed by terrorist or insurgent groups, likely for tactical reasons, as per the report. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1260210-security-forces-eliminate-15-militants-in-balochistans-zhob-ibo

Israeli attacks on the north and centre of the besieged Gaza Strip have killed dozens of people, medical sources say. The Israeli army in the early hours of Wednesday bombed a residential building in Beit Lahiya, near Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, which has been under an even tighter siege for more than two months. The attack killed at least 20 people, including women and children, but there were fears the death toll could rise. Local media reports said at least 30 displaced people were living in the multistorey home of the Abu Tarabish family before it was struck. Footage seen by Al Jazeera showed people using their bare hands trying to remove large pieces of concrete from the ruins of the bombed structure. One child’s body was removed from the rubble. “This residential building has been turned into ruin. The smoke is still rising,” said journalist Moath Kahlout, reporting from the site. “Due to a shortage of rescue teams, the neighbours are trying to pull the dead bodies from under the rubble.” Later in the day, another attack on a residential home in the densely populated Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least seven people, all members of the same family. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said another two people were killed by an Israeli air raid on a house in Gaza City. ‘No letup’ in Israeli attacks amid truce efforts Reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud said the latest deadly attacks come amid “a deepening humanitarian crisis”. “There are no basic supplies available, markets are depleted and the crisis keeps continuing to evolve in a devastating way,” he added, all the while there is “no letup” in the Israeli bombardment. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, whose attacks on Gaza over the past 14 months have killed at least 44,805 people and wounded 106,257. Israel launched its ferocious military campaign after an estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during attacks led by the Palestinian armed group Hamas on October 7 2023, and more than 200 were taken captive. The renewed attacks are taking place as efforts to reach a ceasefire are under way in Egypt. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is heading to Israel this week for talks on on a truce deal in Gaza, among others. Sullivan will meet Israeli officials to discuss “efforts to reach a hostage release and ceasefire deal in Gaza, the latest developments in Syria, and for discussions about Lebanon and Iran,” National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/11/israeli-attacks-on-gaza-residential-areas-kill-dozens

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Pakistan embassy in Syria open for support and advice, says FO spokespersonForeign Office on Sunday confirmed that all Pakistani nationals were safe in Syria and were advised to exercise caution as the country grapples with worsening turmoil following the lightning offensive by rebels that resulted in the ouster of President Bashar-al Assad. Almost 250 Pakistani pilgrims have been stranded in turmoil-hit country as flights to Lahore and other cities have been cancelled by the airlines. In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in Syria.” She said that the Pakistan embassy in Syria was open for support and advice. “As of now Damascus Airport is closed. Our embassy remains in contact with stranded Pakistani nationals including Zaireen. It will facilitate their return once the airport opens.” She further said that Pakistan had always supported unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, and there was no change in its principled position. Dar, Turkey’s FM hold telephonic conversation In addition to this, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held telephonic conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the unfolding situation in Syria. During the telephonic conversation, the deputy PM shared the details of the efforts made by the Pakistan’s government for the safety and security of its nationals in Syria. They also discussed possible cooperation between the two countries for the safety of the Pakistan nationals. On the other hand, Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia and have been granted asylum by the Russian authorities, Russian news agencies reported, citing a Kremlin source. The Interfax news agency quoted the unnamed source as saying: “President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds.” In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said: “We urge all parties involved to refrain from the use of violence and to resolve all issues of governance through political means,” the statement said. “In that regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition.” It said Russia’s military bases in Syria had been put on a state of high alert, but that there was no serious threat to them at the current time. It said it was also doing all it could to ensure the safety of Russian citizens in Syria, whom the embassy on Friday advised to leave the country. The Russian Embassy in Damascus told the state TASS news agency on Sunday that its staff were “fine”. Meanwhile, Syrian rebels announced a curfew in Damascus starting 4pm local time until 5am. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1259567-all-pakistani-nationals-stranded-in-syria-safe-says-foreign-office

Israeli air attacks in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 16 Palestinians in separate attacks in the central part of the enclave. Five members of one family, including children, were killed in an attack on a camp for displaced people in Deir el-Balah in the early hours of Sunday as they slept. “We woke up to a loud explosion in the middle of the night,” said Mahmoud Fayad, an eyewitness. “We ran to the loud screams and found many civilians killed; and entire family, man, wife and their children.” Dozens of others were injured in the attack, according to Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud. “Many people in the vicinity of the tent site were reported with various injuries,” said Mahmoud, reporting from Deir el-Balah. “The overnight attack highlights the vulnerability of displaced civilians inside these tents.” Then, later on Sunday, at least 11 people were killed in an Israeli air attack on a residential house in al-Bureij camp. Abu Azzoum said that he “personally saw bodies… shredded to pieces” as they arrived at Deir el-Balah’s al-Aqsa Hospital, adding that they had been gathered in bags used for flour because of a lack of coffins. Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Sunday that more than 44,708 Palestinians have been killed and 106,050 injured in Israel’s war on Gaza since October of last year. Several people were injured overnight in “drone attacks on residential areas” to the east of Gaza City, Mahmoud reported. Meanwhile, Israel’s siege of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza is continuing, with Palestinian health officials reporting on Sunday that Israeli forces had shelled the hospital, damaging electricity and oxygen pumps and disrupting urgent surgeries. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital, which is one of only three barely operational in the north of the enclave, said the facility was hit by around 100 tank shells and bombs, wounding several of the medical staff and patients. “The situation is extremely dangerous. We have patients in the intensive care unit and others awaiting surgeries. Access to the operating rooms is only possible after restoring electricity and oxygen supply,” Abu Safia said in a statement. The hospital is treating 112 wounded people, including six in the intensive care unit, he said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military about Abu Safia’s account. “Israeli forces are about 500 metres [1,650 feet] away from the gate of the hospital and set up a sniper position that keeps targeting people and any moving objects inside the hospital,” Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud reported, adding that there was a heavy presence of drones and quadcopters in the skies above the facility. On Friday, Israeli forces killed about 30 people when they stormed the Kamal Adwan Hospital under cover of heavy artillery fire and air attacks, according to Eid Sabbah, the hospital’s director of nursing. To justify its actions, Israel claims Hamas fighters are using civilian buildings, including hospitals and schools, for operational cover throughout the 14-month Gaza war. Hamas, the Palestinian group that runs the Gaza Strip, has denied this and accuses Israel of indiscriminate bombings and assaults. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/8/israeli-attack-on-gaza-camp-kills-five-displaced-family-members