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Plane carrying EU Chief Ursula Von Der Leyen targeted by suspected Russian GPS jamming

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Plovdiv, Bulgaria (BN24) — A plane transporting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was subjected to suspected Russian GPS jamming during its approach to Plovdiv International Airport on Sunday, according to European Commission officials. The interference occurred amid a critical diplomatic mission to Eastern European countries neighbouring Russia, Belarus, and the Black Sea.

European Commission Deputy Chief Spokesperson Arianna Podestà confirmed the incident, highlighting it as a serious breach of aviation safety and a vivid demonstration of what Brussels has long characterized as Moscow’s hybrid warfare tactics. Bulgarian authorities have launched an investigation, suspecting Russian involvement, though the Kremlin swiftly rejected the claim.

“Your information is incorrect,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told The Financial Times, denying any connection to the jamming episode.

Despite the interference, the aircraft landed safely in Plovdiv. According to a source familiar with the flight, pilots were forced to navigate manually using paper charts after the GPS signal was disrupted, a scenario aviation experts warn could pose significant risks, especially in unfamiliar or congested airspace.

Podestà described the disruption as a “stark reminder” of the everyday threats faced by EU frontline states from Russia and its proxies. She underscored the symbolism of von der Leyen’s trip in light of the incident, which occurred during her multi-nation tour aimed at reinforcing European solidarity and support for Ukraine as the war enters its third year.

“This incident underlines the urgency of the president’s current trip to frontline Member States, where she has seen first-hand the everyday threats from Russia and its proxies,” Podestà said.

Von der Leyen, who has emerged as one of Kyiv’s most outspoken allies within the EU, had just completed stops in Latvia, Finland, Estonia, Poland, and Bulgaria. Her itinerary includes further visits to Lithuania and Romania. Speaking shortly after landing—before the incident became public—she reinforced the EU’s position on deterrence against Moscow.

“Putin has not changed, and he will not change. He is a predator,” von der Leyen said. “He can only be kept in check through strong deterrence.”

Incidents of GPS jamming and spoofing have become increasingly common across Europe, particularly near conflict-adjacent zones like the Baltic and Black Seas. Research from institutions in Poland and Germany has linked such interference to Russian military operations, with Kaliningrad and clandestine maritime assets identified as key sources. In response, the European Union has already imposed sanctions on individuals and entities connected to electronic warfare targeting EU airspace and infrastructure.

The GPS disruption affecting von der Leyen’s flight adds to a growing list of incidents attributed to Russian electronic warfare, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety and escalating geopolitical tensions.

As von der Leyen’s diplomatic tour continues, EU officials remain resolute in calling for expanded military and financial aid to Ukraine—framing the incident not just as a security concern, but as a call to action for a more unified European defense posture in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

Rudy Giuliani to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom, Trump announces

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NEW YORK (BN24) — Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, once hailed as “America’s Mayor” for his leadership following the September 11 attacks, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social.

The announcement comes just days after Giuliani was hospitalized with back injuries following a rear-end car collision in New Hampshire. According to police, the accident occurred Saturday evening, with all parties sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Giuliani has since been released from the hospital, though his security detail reported that he suffered lacerations, contusions, and back pain as a result of the crash.

Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, described Giuliani as “the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot.” The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour in the United States and is awarded to individuals who have made “exceptionally meritorious contributions to the nation’s prosperity, values, or security, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavours.”

Giuliani rose to national prominence for his steady leadership during one of America’s darkest moments, guiding New York through the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His response earned him Time magazine’s Person of the Year title in 2001 and an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.

After leaving office as mayor, Giuliani ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 before becoming a key figure in Trump’s 2016 campaign. He later served as Trump’s personal attorney, playing a central role in post-2020 election efforts to overturn the results. Giuliani was widely criticized for spreading unfounded claims of voter fraud, which ultimately led to a series of legal troubles, including a $148 million defamation judgment against him. The lawsuit, brought by two Georgia election workers, forced Giuliani to file for bankruptcy and contributed to the suspension of his legal license.

While Giuliani has yet to publicly respond to the medal announcement, the honor marks a stark contrast to his recent legal and financial challenges. The timeline for the formal presentation of the award remains unclear.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom has previously been awarded to a wide range of prominent figures, including boxer Muhammad Ali, primatologist Jane Goodall, fashion editor Anna Wintour, and actor Michael J. Fox. In 2017, then-President Barack Obama awarded the medal to his vice president, Joe Biden.

Despite the personal and professional setbacks in recent years, Giuliani remains a polarizing but influential figure in American politics. Though no longer a member of Trump’s legal team, advisers to both men have said their personal relationship has endured.

Credit:BBC

Pope Leo XIV signals continuity on LGBTQ inclusion in Catholic Church after meeting with Fr. James Martin

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VATICAN CITY (BN24) — In a clear signal of continuity with his predecessor, Pope Leo XIV told Jesuit priest and LGBTQ advocate Rev. Fr. James Martin on Monday that he intends to uphold the welcoming posture toward LGBTQ Catholics that characterized the papacy of Pope Francis.

The meeting, held at the Apostolic Palace and made public by the Vatican, lasted approximately 30 minutes and underscored Pope Leo’s openness to continuing the path laid by Francis, who made historic gestures toward inclusion during his tenure.

Fr. Martin, a prominent U.S.-based Jesuit author and editor, shared details of the meeting on social media, along with a photo released by Vatican News. He described Pope Leo as “joyful, relaxed and serene,” and said he was encouraged to persist in his ministry advocating for LGBTQ Catholics.

“The message I received was that Pope Leo will be continuing with the same openness and welcome that Francis showed to LGBTQ people,” Martin posted. “He is a joy to be with.”

Speaking later to The Associated Press, Martin reiterated that the new pontiff echoed Pope Francis’ pastoral tone and inclusive stance.

“I heard the same message from Pope Leo that I heard from Pope Francis, which is the desire to welcome all people, including LGBTQ people,” Martin said. “It was wonderful. It was very consoling and very encouraging and frankly a lot of fun.”

The Vatican’s decision to formally announce the audience was widely seen as a deliberate signal of support. Pope Leo’s move to publicly receive Martin—who has often drawn both praise and criticism for his work with LGBTQ Catholics—demonstrates a clear intent to maintain the Church’s evolving engagement with the LGBTQ community.

Martin is currently in Rome leading a Jubilee pilgrimage with Outreach, the LGBTQ Catholic ministry he directs.

Pope Francis, who died earlier this year, marked a historic shift in the Catholic Church’s tone by emphasizing mercy and pastoral care over doctrinal exclusion. Pope Leo’s early gestures suggest he plans to continue that trajectory, potentially deepening the Church’s relationship with LGBTQ faithful around the world.

Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets spark postgame melee after Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup final defeat

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SEATTLE (BN24) — Inter Miami stars Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets were at the center of a chaotic postgame scuffle after their team’s 3-0 defeat to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup final on Sunday night, an incident overshadowing Seattle’s dominant title win.

Television footage and eyewitness accounts showed Suárez, 38, appearing to grab 20-year-old Seattle midfielder Obed Vargas around the neck after the final whistle at Lumen Field. Moments later, Busquets, 37, struck Vargas on the chin, sending the young Mexico international tumbling to the turf as Sounders teammates rushed in.

The melee escalated when Suárez clashed with a member of Seattle’s coaching staff. He was restrained by goalkeeper Óscar Ustari but appeared to spit in the direction of the Sounders official. Defender Yeimar Gómez Andrade intervened to separate Vargas and Suárez, while Cody Baker engaged in a heated exchange with Busquets. Inter Miami’s Maxi Falcon then grabbed Baker in a headlock, further intensifying the confrontation.

Several other players, including Miami defenders Marcelo Weigandt and Tomás Avilés, were also seen shoving Seattle’s Jackson Ragen during the brief but heated exchange. The incident ended only after coaches and teammates restored order, allowing the Sounders to continue their postgame trophy celebration.

Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer expressed disappointment that the scuffle distracted from his team’s victory. “Unfortunately, that is going to take some of the attention away from a great performance by the Seattle Sounders,” Schmetzer said. “Their players were frustrated, and frustrations led to things that shouldn’t happen on the field. But the story should be about our team’s performance.”

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano distanced himself from the altercation, saying he did not witness the clash. “Clearly, nobody likes to see this type of behavior,” Mascherano said. “Maybe there was provocation, but I don’t know what happened.”

The Sounders secured the trophy with goals from Osaze De Rosario in the 26th minute, Alex Roldan in the 84th, and Seattle native Paul Rothrock in the 89th. The victory denied Lionel Messi and Inter Miami their shot at the Leagues Cup title.

Despite the ugly postgame scenes, Schmetzer praised Messi, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, and Mascherano for showing sportsmanship after the match. “Those are people who have been at the highest levels of the game,” he said. “That’s the story.”

The Leagues Cup win marks another milestone for Seattle, while Inter Miami will have little time to regroup before hosting the Sounders again in an MLS regular-season clash on Sept. 16.

Suárez, who has faced multiple bans during his career — including for racial abuse in 2011 and biting incidents at Ajax, Liverpool, and Uruguay — now faces scrutiny over his role in the postgame incident.

70 killed in Gambia as migrant boat capsizes

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BANJUL, Gambia (BN24) — At least 70 people have died after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Mauritania, Gambia’s foreign affairs ministry said Friday, marking one of the deadliest maritime disasters in years along the perilous migration route from West Africa to Europe.

The vessel, which departed from Gambia and carried mostly Gambian and Senegalese nationals, sank early Wednesday in waters off Mauritania. Authorities estimate the wooden boat had about 150 people on board. Sixteen passengers were rescued, while Mauritanian officials recovered 70 bodies on Wednesday and Thursday. Another 30 people are feared dead, and witness accounts suggest the final toll could exceed 100.

“The government of The Gambia implores all Gambians to refrain from embarking on such perilous journeys, which continue to claim the lives of many,” the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

The sinking highlights the deadly risks faced by migrants traveling the Atlantic migration route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands. The corridor has long been one of the world’s most dangerous, with migrants often enduring overcrowded, unseaworthy boats and treacherous ocean conditions.

According to European Union figures, more than 46,000 irregular migrants reached the Canary Islands in 2024, the highest number ever recorded. Rights group Caminando Fronteras estimates more than 10,000 people died attempting the crossing that same year — a 58% increase from 2023.

Despite repeated warnings from governments and humanitarian organizations, the route continues to draw thousands seeking better economic opportunities or refuge from instability across West Africa.

Search and recovery operations for the victims of this latest tragedy were continuing in Mauritania on Friday, as families in Gambia and Senegal awaited confirmation of their loved ones’ fate.

Helicopter with 8 people on board goes missing over forest in Indonesia’s Borneo

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A helicopter carrying eight people vanished over Indonesia’s Borneo island on Monday after losing contact with air traffic control only minutes into its flight, officials said.

The Airbus BK117 D-3, operated by Eastindo Air, departed from Kotabaru district in South Kalimantan province at 8:46 a.m. local time, bound for Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan. The aircraft had been scheduled to arrive at 10:15 a.m., but communication was lost at 8:54 a.m., just eight minutes after takeoff.

Authorities said the last known location of the helicopter was over the Mantewe forest area in Tanahbumbu district, a remote and heavily wooded region of Borneo. On board were one pilot, one engineer and six passengers.

The Banjarmasin Search and Rescue Agency said it received the first report of the missing helicopter at 12:02 p.m. and immediately deployed teams by land and air. A firefighting helicopter has also been mobilized to join the operation.

“We hope to find them safe and sound,” said I Putu Sudayana, head of the rescue agency, noting that search operations are focused in dense jungle terrain.

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, has a challenging aviation record due to its vast geography, frequent extreme weather and difficult topography, including dense forests and mountainous terrain.

The helicopter disappearance comes as Indonesia continues efforts to improve aviation safety across its regions, where small aircraft are often used to connect remote communities.

As of Monday evening, the search for the missing helicopter and its eight occupants was still underway.

Modi and Putin meet on summit sidelines as India faces steep US tariff

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TIANJIN, China (BN24) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of a regional summit in China on Monday in a show of deepening ties as New Delhi’s relations with Washington are strained over the purchase of Russian oil.

The two leaders held talks after attending the key session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering in the port city of Tianjin, where discussions focused on regional stability, bilateral trade and energy cooperation.

Modi termed the partnership with Moscow as “special and privileged” in his opening remarks. Putin addressed Modi as a “dear friend” and described Russia’s ties with India as special, friendly and trusting.

“Russia and India have maintained special relations for decades. Friendly, trusting. This is the foundation for the development of our relations in the future,” Putin said. “These relations are absolutely non-partisan in nature, supported by the overwhelming majority of the peoples of our countries.”

Putin plans to travel to India in December for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit, according to his foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov.

Modi used the SCO meeting to welcome peace initiatives aimed at halting the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and called on stakeholders to move forward constructively.

“To end the conflict soonest and establish peace permanently, we need to find out a way. It’s a call of the entire humanity,” Modi said.

Russian state media reported that before the formal dialogue, Putin and Modi spoke one-on-one for almost an hour in an Aurus, a high-end, Russian-made limousine that Putin regularly brings on foreign trips.

Before the leaders lined up for a group photo, Modi was seen clasping Putin’s hand with the enthusiasm of an old friend, bursting into his trademark hearty laughter. Putin grinned and chuckled, while Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a measured smile. The trio chatted animatedly for a few seconds.

Modi met Xi ahead of the summit’s opening Sunday, and the two leaders pledged to resolve their border differences and bolster cooperation.

Monday’s bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin carried added significance coming days after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariffs on Indian imports, raising total duties to 50%, in retaliation for India’s continued purchases of discounted Russian oil.

Washington has repeatedly warned New Delhi against buying Russian crude, saying it partly keeps Moscow’s revenues flowing to fund the Ukraine war. India has defended its imports as essential for meeting the energy needs of 1.4 billion people.

Analysts said Trump’s steep tariffs and the White House’s general approach have inadvertently recalibrated a process whereby New Delhi is seeking closer cooperation with China and Russia.

“While India-China reengagements started much before Trump, his policies are accelerating a process whereby India seems to be working much more closely with China and Russia to push back against economic unilateralism it is witnessing from the U.S.,” said Harsh Pant, vice president of foreign policy at the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation think tank.

Ashok Malik, partner and chair of India practice at the U.S.-based Asia Group advisory firm, said a “calibrated India-China economic reengagement was in the works anyways,” but it has gained heightened significance due to Trump’s tariffs.

“Russia too has sensed the political and optical opportunity of putting the three countries in the same frame,” he said.

Modi traveled to Russia twice last year. The first was a visit to Moscow for talks with Putin in July, his first trip to Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Kremlin forces in February 2022. He then traveled to Kazan in October for the BRICS bloc summit of developing economies.

Russia has maintained strong ties with India since the Cold War, and New Delhi’s importance as a key trading partner has grown since the war between Moscow and Ukraine began.

China and India have become key buyers of Russian oil after the West shunned Russian exports to punish Moscow.

India historically bought most of its crude from the Middle East, but the world’s third-largest crude importer after China and the U.S. has started buying Russian oil available at discounted rates. Russia now accounts for around 37% of India’s total oil imports, according to analysts and Indian officials.

Trade between India and Russia has sharply increased in recent years, reaching a record $68.7 billion in the 2024-25 financial year during strong energy cooperation. Imports from Russia reached around $64 billion and exports from India totaled about $5 billion, according to Indian government data.

India’s financial year runs from April to March. The two nations aspire to increase trade to $100 billion by 2030.

Modi’s meeting with Putin underscored New Delhi’s stance that India prizes its old and reliable strategic partners and has sufficient strategic autonomy in its foreign policy to maintain and strengthen its multi-dimensional partnerships, said Sreeram Sundar Chaulia, an international affairs expert at New Delhi’s Jindal School of International Affairs.

At the same time, the Indian government hopes the present difficulties between India and the U.S. represent a temporary situation, Chaulia said.

“Then, India can return happily to having the Russian cake and eating the American pie as part of its multi-alignment strategy,” Chaulia said.

The meeting highlights India’s balancing act between maintaining strategic partnerships with Russia while managing tensions with the United States over energy imports and trade policies.

Russia’s relationship with India has deepened significantly since Western sanctions were imposed following the Ukraine invasion, with energy cooperation becoming a cornerstone of bilateral ties despite international pressure on New Delhi to reduce its Russian oil purchases.

2 Kenyan policemen killed and 8 others injured in Haiti armored vehicle accident

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BN24) — An accident involving two armored vehicles in Haiti killed a Kenyan police officer and a civilian and injured eight other officers from the UN-backed multinational security mission, officials said Monday.

The incident occurred Sunday evening at approximately 5 p.m. along the Kenscoff-Pétion-Ville road at Perlerin 9, a mountainous route in the outskirts of the capital Port-au-Prince.

Jack Ombaka, spokesman for the Multinational Security Support mission, said the accident happened during a recovery operation involving two MaxxPro vehicles when one developed mechanical problems while towing the other.

“The incident occurred during a recovery operation involving two MaxxPro vehicles. While one vehicle was towing the other, it developed mechanical problems leading to the incident. The accident, unfortunately, also involved civilians,” Ombaka said in a statement.

Eight MSS officers were injured in the accident, with three in critical condition. The critically injured officers were first treated at the Aspen Level 2 Hospital at LSA 2 before being airlifted to the Dominican Republic for specialized medical care.

The MSS officer and civilian were pronounced dead upon arrival at Lambert Santé Hospital in Pétion-Ville.

“The MSS extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, as well as with the injured, as they recover,” Ombaka said.

The fatality brings to three the number of Kenyan police officers killed in Haiti since the mission began more than a year ago. One previous officer was killed in a gang attack, and another remains missing and is presumed dead.

The Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti is led by Kenya and involves personnel from several countries, including Jamaica, Bahamas, Guyana, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, and Chad.

Other countries, including the United States, Canada, France, Spain, and Italy, have provided financial and logistical support through a UN Trust Fund for Haiti.

The mission was approved by the United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023, to assist the Haitian government in restoring law and order amid worsening civil strife and gang violence that has plagued the country since 2018.

The international police and military force was deployed to help combat powerful gangs that control large portions of Haiti’s territory and have contributed to widespread violence and instability.

The accident occurred along a challenging mountainous road that connects the capital with outlying areas, terrain that poses logistical difficulties for the international forces operating in the country.

Haiti has been struggling with a security crisis as armed gangs have gained control over significant portions of the country, leading to displacement of civilians and hampering humanitarian aid delivery.

The multinational mission represents the international community’s latest effort to help stabilize Haiti after years of political turmoil, economic collapse, and escalating violence that has made it one of the most dangerous countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Sunday’s accident underscores the operational challenges facing international forces deployed to Haiti, where difficult terrain, poor infrastructure, and security threats create hazardous working conditions for mission personnel.

The mission continues its operations despite the setback, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to supporting Haiti’s efforts to restore security and stability to the troubled Caribbean nation.

Israel kills Hamas spokesperson as security cabinet meets to discuss expanding offensive in Gaza

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JERUSALEM (BN24) — The Israeli military announced Sunday that it killed the longtime spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, as the country’s security cabinet met to discuss expanding offensive operations in some of Gaza’s most populated areas.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz identified the spokesperson as Abu Obeida, the nom de guerre for the person who represented Hamas’ Qassam Brigades. The military said he was killed over the weekend. Hamas has not commented on the claim.

There were no plans to discuss ceasefire negotiations at the security cabinet meeting, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media.

Israel’s military said the spokesperson, whom it identified as Hudahaifa Kahlout, had been behind the release of videos showing hostages as well as footage of the Hamas-led attack that sparked the war. The military also reiterated threats against remaining Hamas leaders abroad.

Abu Obeida’s last statement was issued Friday as Israel began initial stages of the new offensive and declared Gaza City a combat zone. His statement said the militants would do their best to protect living hostages but warned that they would be in areas of fighting. He said the remains of dead hostages would “disappear forever.”

At least 43 Palestinians were killed since Saturday, most of them in Gaza City, according to local hospitals. Shifa Hospital, the territory’s largest medical facility, said 29 bodies were brought to its morgue, including 10 people killed while seeking aid.

“Where are the resistance fighters that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims he is bombing? Does he consider stones resistance fighters?” said a relative of one of the dead at Shifa Hospital, who did not give her name.

Hospital officials reported 11 other fatalities from strikes and gunfire. Al-Awda Hospital said seven were civilians trying to reach aid distribution sites.

Witnesses said Israeli troops opened fire on crowds in the Netzarim Corridor, an Israeli military zone that bisects Gaza.

“We were trying to get food, but we were met with the occupation’s bullets,” said Ragheb Abu Lebda, who saw at least three people bleeding from gunshot wounds. “It’s a death trap.”

Civilians have been killed as United Nations humanitarian convoys are overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds, or shot on their way to sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed U.S. contractor.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation told The Associated Press that there was “no incident at or near our site today.” Israel’s military did not respond to questions about Sunday’s casualties.

Israel has killed many of Hamas’ military and political leaders as it attempts to dismantle the group and prevent an attack like the one on October 7, 2023, when militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200, mostly civilians, in southern Israel.

Fewer than 50 hostages remain in Gaza, and Israel believes about 20 are alive. Families of hostages protested outside the security cabinet meeting, expressing anger that ceasefire discussions were not on the agenda.

“It is our side that is unwilling to sign a comprehensive deal and is unwilling to end the war and is deciding to sacrifice my child while he is still alive,” said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker.

Israel for weeks has been operating on the outskirts of Gaza City to prepare for the offensive. The military has intensified air attacks on coastal areas of the city, including the Rimal neighborhood. Smoke rose over the city Sunday.

In Rimal, Palestinians searched through rubble after a strike, some venturing into upper floors of damaged buildings that remained standing. A child attempted to pull a shopping cart loaded with plastic jugs over the debris.

The military has urged hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza City to flee south, but many say they are exhausted after repeated displacements or unconvinced that any safe place remains in Gaza.

More than 90 percent of the over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced at least once during the war, many of them multiple times, according to the United Nations.

Israel has signaled that aid to Gaza City will be reduced and has announced new infrastructure projects in southern Gaza, steps that Palestinians say amount to forced displacement.

Seven more Palestinian adults died of malnutrition-related causes over the last 24 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Sunday.

That brought the adult death toll from malnutrition-related causes to 215 since June, when the ministry started counting them. The ministry said 124 children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began.

In the largest attempt yet to break the Israeli blockade of the territory by sea, a flotilla of ships departed Sunday from Barcelona for Gaza with humanitarian aid and activists on board. Similar attempts in the past have failed.

At least 63,371 Palestinians have died during the war, the Health Ministry said. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians but says approximately half have been women and children.

The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties. Israel disputes the figures but has not provided its own casualty count.

The current offensive represents an escalation in Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007. Israeli officials have stated their goal is to eliminate Hamas’ military capabilities and secure the release of remaining hostages.

The expanding operations in Gaza City, one of the territory’s most densely populated areas, raise concerns about civilian casualties and humanitarian access. International aid organizations have repeatedly warned about the deteriorating conditions for Palestinian civilians caught in the conflict.

Israel’s security cabinet meeting Sunday focused on military strategy for the expanded offensive, with discussions centered on operational objectives in Gaza City and surrounding areas. The absence of ceasefire negotiations from the agenda reflects the current impasse in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

UPDATED: Afghanistan Earthquake kills 800 with more than 2,500 injured

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JALALABAD, Afghanistan (BN24) — A powerful earthquake killed at least 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, the Taliban government said Monday, as desperate residents clawed through rubble with their hands searching for missing family members.

The 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck late Sunday night in Kunar province, near the city of Jalalabad in neighboring Nangarhar province, causing extensive damage to buildings across the mountainous region.

The quake hit at 11:47 p.m. and was centered 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad at a depth of just 8 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The shallow depth contributed to more severe damage, and several aftershocks followed the initial tremor.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced the casualty figures during a press conference Monday, saying most of the deaths occurred in Kunar province. He said “all available resources will be utilized to save lives.”

Footage from the affected areas showed rescuers carrying injured people on stretchers from collapsed buildings to helicopters as residents frantically dug through debris with their bare hands.

Buildings in Afghanistan are typically low-rise constructions made of concrete and brick, with homes in rural areas constructed from mud bricks and wood. Many structures are poorly built and vulnerable to seismic activity.

A resident in Nurgal district, one of the hardest-hit areas in Kunar, said nearly his entire village was destroyed.

“Children are under the rubble. The elderly are under the rubble. Young people are under the rubble,” said the villager, who did not provide his name. “We need help here. We need people to come here and join us. Let us pull out the people who are buried. There is no one who can come and remove dead bodies from under the rubble.”

One survivor, Sadiqullah, who lives in the Maza Dara area of Nurgal, described being awakened by what sounded like an approaching storm. He managed to rescue three of his children before the room collapsed on him.

“I was half-buried and unable to get out,” Sadiqullah told The Associated Press by phone from Nangarhar Hospital. “My wife and two sons are dead, and my father is injured and in hospital with me. We were trapped for three to four hours until people from other areas arrived and pulled me out.”

Sadiqullah said the tremor felt like “the whole mountain was shaking.”

Rescue operations continued Monday with medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar and the capital Kabul arriving in the affected areas, according to Sharafat Zaman, a health ministry spokesman.

Zaman said many remote areas had not yet reported casualty figures and that “the numbers were expected to change” as deaths and injuries are documented. The mountainous terrain of eastern Afghanistan and damaged communications infrastructure have complicated rescue efforts.

Dozens of flights have operated in and out of Nangarhar Airport, transporting injured victims to hospitals for treatment.

The earthquake was felt across the border in parts of Pakistan, including the capital Islamabad, though no casualties or damage were reported there.

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said the earthquake intensified existing humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan and urged international donors to support relief efforts.

“This adds death and destruction to other challenges including drought and the forced return of millions of Afghans from neighbouring countries,” Grandi wrote on social media platform X. “Hopefully the donor community will not hesitate to support relief efforts.”

The city of Jalalabad, located close to the Pakistan border, serves as a bustling trade center and key border crossing. While the municipality reports a population of about 300,000, the broader metropolitan area is believed to be significantly larger.

The region supports considerable agricultural activity, including citrus fruit and rice farming, with the Kabul River flowing through Jalalabad.

Afghanistan experienced its deadliest recent natural disaster on October 7, 2023, when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the country, followed by strong aftershocks. The Taliban government estimated at least 4,000 people died in that earthquake, while the United Nations provided a lower death toll of approximately 1,500.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences for the victims and their families. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We are ready to extend all possible support in this regard,” he said on social platform X.

The earthquake comes as Afghanistan faces ongoing humanitarian challenges. Pakistan has expelled thousands of Afghans over the past year, many of whom had been living legally in the country after escaping Afghanistan as refugees over the past four decades.

According to a June report by the UN refugee agency, at least 1.2 million Afghans have been forced to return to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan so far this year, adding to the country’s humanitarian burden.

The Taliban government has been seeking international assistance for disaster response capabilities since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021, though international sanctions have complicated aid distribution and emergency response coordination.

Afghanistan sits along active seismic fault lines, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. The country’s infrastructure limitations and economic challenges often hamper effective disaster response and recovery efforts.

Health ministry officials said they were working to establish the full scope of casualties and coordinate medical care for survivors, though communication difficulties in remote mountain areas have slowed the assessment process.

Source: AP

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