*) Israel strike kills 10 people in designated Gaza ‘safe zone’ In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, an Israeli air strike killed at least 10 Palestinians and left many others injured. The strike hit a rest area near tents where displaced families had gathered, thinking it was safe. This specific area, in the Al Mawasi neighbourhood, had actually been marked by the Israeli military as a “safe zone”. Many displaced families were using the “Happy Time” rest stop just outside the southern gate of the Asdaa Resort. According to witnesses, people frequently went there for a moment of respite and to access the internet — just trying to find some normalcy amid the war. *) Smotrich says 2025 is year Israel will impose ‘sovereignty’ on West Bank Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has now said that by 2025, Israel will fully assert its sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, effectively ruling out any chance of a Palestinian state — a stance that defies international law, which considers the West Bank to be occupied Palestinian land. During a Religious Zionism Party meeting, Smotrich also congratulated Donald Trump on his recent US presidential win. For Smotrich, Trump’s victory is an opportunity to move forward on Israeli interests. He recalled that in Trump’s previous term, he took bold steps: moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, affirming Israeli control over the Golan Heights, and legitimising settlements in the West Bank. *) Paris bans Palestinian flags at France-Israel football match French authorities have banned Palestinian flags at the upcoming France-Israel football match on Thursday, following unrest seen at a Netherlands match last week. Laurent Nunez, Paris’s prefect, said that “only French and Israeli flags will be allowed, along with messages cheering on the teams”. Security will be tight at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris. Fans can expect not one, but two security screenings and ID checks around the stadium. Anyone refusing to cooperate won’t be allowed in. *) Türkiye’s zero waste project will thrive through global cooperation: Altun Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project, a leading environmental initiative, will only succeed through strong international partnerships, according to Fahrettin Altun, Türkiye’s head of Communications. Speaking via video at the COP29 UN climate conference in Azerbaijan, Altun stressed that Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project is a key example of the country’s dedication to environmental leadership. He said that “Türkiye is at the forefront of climate diplomacy”. *) Philippines braces for fifth cyclone in under one month The Philippines is once again preparing for severe weather, with warnings issued for yet another storm — the fifth in under a month — now closing in on the islands. Tropical Storm Usagi is expected to hit the country’s northeast coast in just two days, according to the National Weather Agency. This comes right after Typhoon Toraji forced thousands to evacuate. In fact, the government has already evacuated over 32,000 people in the north as a precaution. This has been a devastating stretch for the Philippines, which has been battered by a relentless sequence of storms: Severe Tropical Storm Trami, Typhoon Yinxing, Super Typhoon Kong-rey, and now Usagi — all of which have collectively claimed at least 159 lives.