Israel Escalates Regional Tensions

On February 23rd, Israel took several actions that significantly escalated tensions across the region. They deployed tanks in the occupied West Bank for the first time in over two decades, violated the ceasefire in Palestine's Gaza, launched air strikes in Lebanon, and reaffirmed their occupation plans in Syria.

Calls for Violence in Gaza

Nissim Vaturi, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and member of the far-right Likud party, made inflammatory statements on February 23rd. He called for the killing of all adults in Gaza, stating, "The children and women must be separated, and the adults in Gaza must be eliminated. We are being too considerate." He also referred to Palestinians as "scoundrels" and "subhumans."

Mass Grave Found in Syria

A mass grave believed to contain the remains of civilians killed by the Assad regime has been found in Sbeneh, near Damascus. Syrian Civil Defence teams have recovered the bodies of at least 20 victims, with the number expected to rise. The remains show signs of burning and gunfire, and some bones appear to be those of children.

Macron Corrects Trump on EU Payments to Ukraine

During a joint press conference on February 24th, French President Emmanuel Macron corrected Donald Trump's comments regarding the status of European Union payments towards Ukrainian military efforts.

Bridge Collapse in South Korea

At least three people died and six were injured in a bridge collapse at a highway construction site in the South Korean city of Cheonan on February 25th. Authorities are searching for another person thought to be buried under rubble.

Trump Rescinds Policy Preventing US Weapons Use in War Crimes

US President Donald Trump has rescinded National Security Memorandum-20 (NSM-20), a policy introduced by Joe Biden in 2024 to prevent US weapons from being used in potential war crimes. The move comes after Biden's administration said Israel may have breached international humanitarian law with US weapons.

Trump Faces Backlash for AI-Generated "Future Gaza" Vision

US President Donald Trump faces backlash online after posting an AI-generated vision of a "future Gaza" and presenting it as a redevelopment plan. The video follows Trump's proposed plan for a US Gaza takeover, involving forcibly displacing and relocating Palestinians and reconstructing to create the "Riviera of the Middle East."

Israel Releases Palestinian Prisoners

Israel bussed dozens of freed Palestinian prisoners held at the Ofer detention center to Ramallah, Occupied West Bank, on February 27th. Hundreds more detainees are set to be released within the West Bank and Gaza.