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No Water Or Fuel For Gaza Until Hostages Are Freed, Israel Declares

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The Israeli government has declared that it will not lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip for humanitarian purposes until all hostages are released.

 

This announcement comes in the midst of increasing worries about the diminishing supplies of water, food, and fuel following the fifth night of bombardment, initiated in response to Hamas’ deadly attack over the weekend.

 

The Israeli energy minister, Israel Katz, wrote on social media that no “electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened and no fuel truck will enter” until the “abductees” are free, the UK Guardian reported

 

Israel is gearing up for a ground invasion in retaliation to the brutal massacres perpetrated by Hamas in 20 Israeli communities last weekend, accompanied by the abduction of dozens of hostages.

 

In a swift response, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) conducted strikes, resulting in 33 casualties within a two-hour span overnight on Thursday. This intensified violence has raised the Gaza death toll to 1,200, prompting recovery efforts by civil defense groups to retrieve the bodies in affected areas.

 

The report highlights that six neighborhoods in the strip have been obliterated since the commencement of the conflict.

 

The World Health Organization reveals that 18 healthcare facilities and 20 ambulances have been impacted, with 11 healthcare workers losing their lives. This marks the most severe bombing campaign endured by the strip in the 16 years since Hamas took control of the densely populated area, housing 2.3 million people.

 

As of late Wednesday, the United Nations reported a 30% surge in the number of people displaced by airstrikes within 24 hours, reaching 339,000 individuals, with two-thirds seeking refuge in UN schools.

 

Meanwhile, Palestinian media conveyed that the bombings claimed the life of Mohammed Deif’s brother, the military commander of Hamas, and a senior commander from Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

 

Hazem Balousha, The Guardian’s Gaza correspondent, conveyed through a morning phone interview that residents in the strip have been informed of hospitals restricting admissions to emergency cases only.

 

Furthermore, the Rafah crossing connecting Gaza to Egypt remains sealed, and the lone power station depleted its fuel reserves on Tuesday, leaving the strip dependent on scattered private generators. The situation could worsen if fuel is not allowed in, leading to the potential shutdown of these generators as well.

 

Israel’s death toll has risen to 1,200, as disclosed by Lt Col Richard Hecht, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, who stated on Thursday that forces are in preparation for a ground assault, pending orders from the political leadership.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the helm of a newly formed unity government and war cabinet inclusive of opposition members, has expressed determination to “crush and destroy” Hamas.

 

“We are all in this together. We are all enlisting. This is not a political partnership, but rather a unity of fate. This is the time to close ranks and to win,” said Benny Gantz, the leader of the centrist National Unity party and a strident critic of Netanyahu’s current far-right government.

 

As per BIZTELLERS earlier report, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday as part of a Middle East tour demonstrating Washington’s solidarity with Israel. This visit follows the arrival of the first plane carrying US munitions in Israel on Wednesday night.

 

Antony Blinken’s arrival is anticipated to align with the presence of a US aircraft carrier in the region, heightening concerns that recent events might escalate and involve Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, as well as Palestinian factions in the occupied West Bank and the restive city of Jerusalem.

 

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Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Allow Trump A Third Presidential Run

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In a controversial move, Republican Representative Andy Ogles has introduced a resolution aimed at amending the U.S. Constitution to permit former and current President Donald Trump to run for a third term in office.

The proposal, announced on Thursday, seeks to revise the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms.

Ogles argued that Trump is uniquely equipped to address the nation’s challenges and lead a turnaround for the United States.

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“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times,” Ogles said in his statement. “He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness. He must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal.”

The congressman also underscored the importance of giving Trump the tools needed to address what he described as damage caused by the Biden administration.

“We must provide Trump with every resource necessary to correct the disastrous course set by the Biden administration,” he added.

“He is dedicated to restoring the republic and saving our country, and we, as legislators and as states, must do everything in our power to support him.”

The resolution calls for a constitutional amendment to modify the 22nd Amendment, which was ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency from 1933 to 1945.

Roosevelt’s extended time in office spurred fears of presidential overreach, leading to the adoption of term limits.

Trump, who won the 2024 presidential election and returned to office, has previously downplayed the idea of seeking a third term.

However, during a conversation with Republican lawmakers, he humorously alluded to the possibility.

“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you do something,” Trump said. “Unless you say, ‘he’s so good, we have to just figure it out.’”

Ogles lauded Trump’s actions during his second term, citing executive orders aimed at securing the southern border, restricting gender identities to male and female, boosting energy production, and withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization.

These measures, according to Ogles, demonstrate Trump’s ability to restore America’s standing and address critical issues.

The 22nd Amendment, proposed in 1947 and ratified four years later, was designed to uphold the principle of limited presidential terms first established by George Washington, the nation’s first president.

Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms, warning against any president serving so long as to resemble a monarch or dictator.

Republicans currently hold a slim three-seat majority in the House of Representatives, but amending the Constitution is a daunting task.

The proposed amendment would require approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, as well as ratification by three-fourths of the states—a high bar in today’s deeply divided political climate.

While Ogles’ proposal is unlikely to succeed, it reflects the enduring loyalty Trump commands among his supporters and within the Republican Party.

The resolution has already drawn criticism from opponents who argue it undermines democratic principles, while supporters insist it is necessary to allow Trump to complete what they view as his mission to “restore America’s greatness.”

 

 

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Bangkok Shuts Over 350 Schools As Air Pollution Reaches Dangerous Levels

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Bangkok authorities closed more than 350 schools on Friday due to hazardous air pollution, marking the largest mass closure since 2020.

This comes as the Thai capital was ranked the world’s seventh-most polluted major city, according to air quality monitor IQAir.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced that 352 schools across 31 districts were shut down to protect students from the worsening air quality.

By Friday morning, PM2.5 pollutant levels — fine particles small enough to enter the bloodstream — reached 108 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 15 micrograms for daily exposure.

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Air pollution in Southeast Asia typically spikes during the colder months, as stagnant air combines with smoke from crop burning and vehicle emissions.

Authorities reported that this week’s pollution levels were among the highest in years, prompting measures not seen since the pandemic.

On Thursday, more than 250 schools in Bangkok were already closed, and city officials urged residents to work from home while restricting heavy vehicles from entering the capital.

The Interior Ministry has also banned the agricultural practice of stubble burning, threatening legal action against offenders.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, speaking from the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, called for urgent measures to combat the crisis, including limiting construction projects and cooperating with neighboring countries.

Both Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia’s Phnom Penh also ranked among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities on Friday, with their governments facing mounting pressure to address air quality concerns.

Despite international attention, Cambodian authorities downplayed the issue, stating that their air quality remained within acceptable levels.

“Other countries have their own standards. Cambodia has our own standard to determine the air quality,” said Environment Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya.

 

 

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Turkish Airlines Resumes Flights To Damascus After 13-Year Hiatus

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Erdogan To Be Inaugurated Third Time As Turkish President

In a historic move, Turkey’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, has resumed flights to the Syrian capital Damascus after a 13-year suspension.

The first flight, carrying 349 passengers, departed from Istanbul International Airport on Thursday morning, according to Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu.

The resumption of flights marks the end of a pause dating back to April 2012, when the airline suspended operations due to the onset of the Syrian civil war.

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The decision comes as relations between the two nations improve and reflects a growing trend of Syrians returning to their homeland after years of displacement.

Turkey, which hosts approximately 3 million Syrian refugees—the highest number worldwide—has witnessed many Syrians preparing to return home.

Anadolu reported that several passengers on Thursday’s flight were traveling to Syria for the first time in over a decade.

“I feel like I’m in a dream,” said Ahmet Kiraz, a passenger who had lived in Turkey since 2012. Kiraz expressed his disbelief at finally being able to return home, a moment he had thought might never come.

Images from the scene showed travelers boarding the plane with the Syrian flag draped across their shoulders, a symbol of both pride and a longing for their homeland.

Turkish Airlines announced plans to operate three flights per week to Damascus, with further details expected to be disclosed later in the day.

 

 

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