Supermoon Lights Up Istanbul While Global Protests Erupt Over Gaza Violence

On the night of August 9, 2025, the Sturgeon Moon, marking the final full moon of summer, rose majestically over Istanbul, Türkiye. This celestial event was particularly remarkable, as it appeared fully illuminated both on Friday and Saturday due to an unusual two-night lunar alignment. The moon's radiant glow served to enhance the beauty of the city's famous landmarks, like the iconic Galata Tower, which captivated both stargazers and photographers in the area.

In central London, a significant protest took place on the same Saturday, drawing thousands who voiced their opposition to the ongoing violence in Gaza, which many are labeling a genocide against the Palestinian people. Among the demonstrators were parents aligned with the Parents for Palestine group, who expressed their anguish over the escalating death toll of children and families in Israel's military actions, vowing to raise their voices against such atrocities.

In a tragic development, human rights group B’Tselem shared new footage on August 10, highlighting the brutal killing of Palestinian activist Awdah al-Hathaleen by illegal Israeli settler Yinon Levi. Al-Hathaleen was filming a report about the destruction of Palestinian land when he was shot in the South Hebron Hills on July 28.

Further intensifying this crisis, Al Jazeera reported the deaths of its correspondents Anas al Sharif and Mohamed Qraiqea, along with three other journalists, who were killed during an Israeli airstrike that specifically targeted a journalists' tent near al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. This incident led to widespread outrage and a moment of mourning observed by Al Jazeera staff during a live broadcast, as they remembered their fallen colleagues in a deliberate bombing aimed at the press.

In a move reflecting growing international awareness, Australia became one of the latest nations to support Palestinian statehood ahead of the UN General Assembly in September, aligning its stance with a growing number of countries condemning the violence and advocating for Palestinian rights. The situation in Gaza has generated a surge of global solidarity, with groups actively protesting against the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The commemoration efforts extended to The Hague, Netherlands, where on August 11, 2025, individuals gathered to honor 243 journalists who lost their lives in Gaza, including Anas Al-Sharif. Participants at the vigil displayed Palestinian flags and portraits of the journalists, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and respect for media rights in conflict zones.

In a separate but related issue, a report has emerged regarding the recent renovations at Kenya’s Lamu Museum, which were financed by Oman. These renovations have reportedly led to the removal of several indigenous exhibits, raising concerns about foreign influence and its implications for the representation of centuries of local heritage.