All articles tagged with #siege
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned a days-long siege of Palestinian homes in Qusra by Israeli settlers as 'terror,' as Israeli forces move to evacuate the settlers; Palestinians report water and electricity cuts amid broader settlement-driven violence and tensions in the West Bank.
Palestinian families in Qusra, West Bank, have been besieged by Israeli settlers for four days, with water and electricity cut off and security forces failing to fully disperse them; clashes have continued as Israel expands settlements, drawing UN warnings of a breaking point amid rising casualties and displacements.
A senior Houthi official warned that Yemen could impose a siege on Saudi Arabia in retaliation for an attack on Sanaa International Airport, signaling a potential break in the recent de-escalation. The Houthis fired missiles at Abha International Airport and pledged further action, while vowing to keep Sanaa–Tehran flights running, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation and possible disruption to Red Sea shipping via Bab al-Mandeb. Yemen’s government accuses Iran of backing the Houthis through flights, heightening regional tensions.
Russia has reopened the historic Mariupol Drama Theater after more than three years, following its destruction during the 2022 siege that killed civilians and symbolized the city's devastation. The reopening, marked by a performance in St. Petersburg, has been condemned by Ukrainian authorities as an attempt at Russification and concealment of war crimes.
Satellite images reveal that a 31km earthen barrier is being constructed around the besieged Sudanese city of el-Fasher by the RSF, aiming to trap civilians and control access amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises, with reports of civilian targeting and destruction.
After 500 days of siege in Al Fasher, Sudan, children face severe malnutrition, violence, and displacement, with limited access to aid and escalating health crises including cholera outbreaks, prompting urgent calls for humanitarian intervention.
South African police have employed siege tactics to combat illegal mining activities, sparking a debate over the effectiveness and ethics of such methods. The approach aims to curb the dangerous and unregulated mining operations that have proliferated in the country, but it has also raised concerns about potential human rights violations and the broader implications for communities involved in these activities.
A mass grave has been found at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, which had been under a two-week siege by the Israeli army, rendering the facility inoperable. The siege has turned the hospital into a graveyard, putting what was once Gaza’s largest medical complex out of service.
Israeli troops have withdrawn from Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital after a 14-day siege, leaving behind destruction and bodies scattered across the complex. The IDF claims to have killed Hamas militants and seized weaponry and intelligence documents, while Gaza's Civil Defense reports finding at least 300 bodies so far. The hospital is largely destroyed, making it difficult for medical crews to recover bodies and aid survivors. International organizations have condemned the siege, warning of a looming famine in northern Gaza.
Israeli military sources are calling the weeklong raid on Gaza's largest hospital, Al-Shifa, one of the "single largest and most successful" operations in the ongoing war with Hamas. The IDF claims to have detained over 800 men, with about 480 of them being Hamas or Islamic Jihad members, and more than 140 Hamas terrorists killed. The hospital, which is sheltering around 3,000 civilians, is reportedly facing a siege with limited food and water, and reports of buildings in the vicinity being detonated. Israeli officials allege that militants are holed up inside the hospital, while Hamas denies the accusations and claims that the IDF is deliberately targeting civilians.
Israeli forces destroyed the main surgical building at Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital and ordered the evacuation of displaced Palestinians inside, following a four-day siege. The army warned those trapped inside to leave before targeting the entire facility, and also blew up several homes in the vicinity. The Israeli army claimed to have killed 140 Palestinians, while Hamas denies having fighters inside the hospital. The raid is seen as an attempt to pressure truce negotiations and has led to a loss of communication with medical staff inside the hospital.
A 13-hour siege of a hotel near Somalia’s presidential palace in Mogadishu ended with the killing of al-Shabab fighters by security forces, resulting in three soldiers killed and 27 people wounded. The attack, claimed by al-Shabab, highlighted the group's ability to strike the capital despite military efforts by the government, local militias, and international support. Al-Shabab, which has been waging war against the Somali government for over 16 years, continues to maintain a strong presence in rural Somalia and has carried out numerous attacks, including on the SYL Hotel, a high-security area opposite the presidential palace.
Ukrainian forces defending Avdiivka faced exhaustion, dwindling ammunition, and overwhelming Russian numbers, leading to the city's loss after a two-year defense. The Russians utilized glide bombs, special forces ambushes, and relentless airstrikes, while Ukrainian soldiers lacked reinforcements and resupply. Morale plummeted, a battalion commander disappeared under murky circumstances, and the decision to withdraw was made to avoid a deadly siege. The loss of Avdiivka raises concerns for Ukraine's future in the ongoing conflict.
Former President Donald Trump described himself as a "dissident" under siege from "thugs" in a bleak speech, suggesting that he is facing persecution. During his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump criticized the Biden administration and the media while portraying himself as a victim of unfair treatment.
Gaza's Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis is no longer operational due to Israeli attacks, with only four medical staff caring for around 200 patients, some of whom urgently need to be transferred to other hospitals. The World Health Organization has been denied access to assess the patients' conditions and provide necessary medical supplies. Israeli forces have also targeted the only other major medical facility in Khan Younis, al-Amal Hospital, and are pushing further south into Rafah, where displaced Palestinians are facing a humanitarian crisis. Israel's plans for a ground attack on Rafah have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the population, with the UN and other allies expressing opposition to such actions.