In a recent incident, an Israeli drone reportedly fired a missile at the Gaza residence of Hamas' political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, who has been residing outside the enclave since 2019, primarily in Turkey and Qatar. The attack occurred while it remains unclear whether any of his family members were present at the targeted house. The situation adds to the ongoing tensions in the region, raising concerns about the safety and security of individuals involved.

Since starting its war against Hamas last month, Israel has increased strikes on Iran-backed militias in Syria near the Israeli border. Significantly, Israel has stopped informing Russia, Syria's key ally, before all such attacks. Russian Deputy FM Bogdanov said Israel generally does not notify Russia in advance now, with Russia finding out after the strikes occur. This marks a policy shift by Israel and highlights deteriorating ties between Israel and Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. Israel's uncoordinated hits in Syria against Iranian proxies risks further escalation and tensions with Moscow.

Storm Ciaran wreaked havoc across Western Europe, claiming 16 lives and causing widespread destruction. Six fatalities occurred in Italy, three in Portugal, one in France, and two in Belgium. Falling trees, gale-force winds, and heavy rainfall led to tragic incidents, including a yacht accident off Portugal's coast. The storm disrupted travel, leaving over 200,000 households without power in France. Several flights were canceled, and ferry services faced delays. Experts underline the increasing link between climate change and intensified winter storms, emphasizing the need for climate action to mitigate such events.

Pressure is mounting on the Israeli government and PM Netanyahu as the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza launch a protest today, saying no one will go home until all the captives are freed. The families will be camping 24/7 at the Tel Aviv base entrance near the Hostages and Missing Square, staying in tents until the return of hostages. This comes amid building frustration over Israel's inability to secure hostage releases even after 27 days of the Gaza ground offensive that has killed over 9,000 civilians. With 223 Israeli soldiers also dead alongside many Hamas militants, pressure is mounting on the government and PM Netanyahu to resolve the hostage crisis driving the conflict. The families stated that from Friday night onwards, no one will go home until all of the more than 200 hostages returns, underscoring their defiance and demands for action to free the captives.

The New York Times analysis indicates Israel dropped at least two 2,000-pound bombs in a strike on Jabaliya, northern Gaza that killed and wounded hundreds of civilians. Israel said it targeted a Hamas commander, fighters, and tunnel networks for weapons and militants. Using such large bombs in the densely populated area raised proportionality questions on whether the military objective justified civilian casualties. Impact craters match the underground explosions these bombs produced. They may have had delayed fuses for greater destruction depth. Israel claimed it struck an underground bunker, but without site access, it's unconfirmed if tunnels existed. Israel defends the strike, but the heavy civilian toll furthers international criticism of its Gaza bombing tactics.

The Israeli military conducted a limited overnight operation in southern Gaza to map sites and clear explosives, encountering and killing a Hamas tunnel cell. Meanwhile, the ground offensive focused on northern Gaza continued Friday with troops surrounding Gaza City and clashing with Hamas, killing many militants. Conquering densely populated Gaza City poses risks of ambushes and explosives for Israel. In a sign of hostilities, Israel confirmed an airstrike on an ambulance used by a Hamas cell in northern Gaza. Overall, Israel's defense minister said troops are advancing as planned to oust Hamas and rescue over 200 Israelis held hostage since Hamas' October 7 attack. But after 15 years of rule, Hamas is entrenched in Gaza and prepared to defend its grip fiercely.

Heavily armed terrorists attacked an Air Force training base in Pakistan's Punjab province early Saturday, damaging three aircrafts before being killed or cornered by soldiers, the Pakistan army said. The statement said troops foiled the attack by killing three attackers entering the base and isolating the remaining three. Some damage occurred to the aircrafts and a fuel tanker amid the assault. A clearance operation is in the final stages to fully secure the area. The attack follows hours after terror strikes killed at least 17 soldiers in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan's forces remain committed to eliminating terrorism despite the persistent threat, the army emphasized while condemning the air base assault.

Israel rejected Blinken's proposal for a Gaza humanitarian pause in Tel Aviv talks with Netanyahu, who vowed to continue full force without a truce or hostage releases. This came as Israel encircled Gaza City amid intense urban fighting after Hamas's October 7 attack killed 1,400 Israelis and seized over 200. Israel's strikes have killed 9,200+ in Gaza per officials. Visiting Israel, Blinken sought assurances on protecting civilians but Netanyahu refused any halt without prisoners freed. Blinken said allowing more aid could connect to truce and hostage releases. But Netanyahu adamantly rejected the ceasefire and fuel resumption without hostage release. Blinken reiterated US support for Israel while advising minimizing civilian deaths.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah did not declare all-out war on Israel in his highly anticipated speech, knowing neither Lebanon nor Hezbollah currently seeks another war. But he left the door open for escalation based on Israel's Gaza actions, saying "this will not be sufficient." Nasrallah claimed Hamas acted on October 7 without Hezbollah or Iran's help. He justified Hezbollah's significant but measured border fighting role so far. For now, Hezbollah appears focused on supporting Hamas from the sidelines unless it nears defeat. But that calculus could swiftly change if Israel routs Hamas in Gaza, spurring a Hezbollah-Israel war. Nasrallah threads the line between not provoking war-wary Lebanon into one, but threatening a northern front if Hamas is vanquished.

Himalayan seismologists had warned that a major earthquake was overdue in high-risk western Nepal. This could release the built-up tectonic tension since no mega quake has occurred in the region for over 600 years. Friday's estimated 6-magnitude quake near Jajarkot was not as big as the 8+ predicted. But it shook towns 500km away in India and Tibet. At least 128 deaths are reported so far with hundreds injured, numbers still rising. Though this quake may have released some tension in the seismic gap, it could presage a larger one as the Indian Plate steadily converges with Eurasia's at 25mm/year. The lack of huge historical quakes means massive accumulated energy still awaits discharging.