United News of Bangladesh

Pakistan’s Punjab province is grappling with the most severe flooding in its recorded history, officials said Sunday, as river levels surge to unprecedented highs and extreme weather continues to batter the region. This year's intensified monsoon, worsened by global climate change, has led to widespread devastation across the country — particularly in the mountainous north and northwest — where landslides and flash floods have become more frequent. In eastern Punjab, torrential rainfall has combined with rising river levels exacerbated by water releases from Indian dams, leading to extensive flooding across low-lying areas. “This is the largest flood Punjab has ever faced,” said provincial senior minister Maryam Aurangzeb during a press briefing. “More than two million people have been affected. For the first time, the Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers are simultaneously carrying such dangerously high volumes of water.” Emergency relief operations are underway, with schools, police stations, and military facilities repurposed as temporary shelters. Rescue teams are evacuating residents by boat from submerged areas, she added. Aurangzeb also noted that the Foreign Ministry is compiling data on India’s recent release of dam water into Pakistani territory, calling it a “deliberate act.” India has yet to respond publicly. Last week, Indian authorities had issued a flood alert to Pakistan, marking a rare diplomatic exchange between the two neighbors since tensions nearly erupted into open conflict in May. Punjab, home to around 150 million people, is a key contributor to Pakistan’s agricultural output and the country’s main wheat-producing region. The ongoing flooding has raised concerns of a repeat of the 2022 disaster, when floods destroyed vast stretches of farmland and triggered national food insecurity. Between July 1 and August 27, Punjab has received 26.5% more rainfall than during the same period last year, according to Pakistan’s meteorological department. The National Disaster Management Authority reports that since June 26, rain-related incidents have killed 849 people and injured over 1,100 across the country. Pakistan’s monsoon season typically continues through the end of September.  

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have vowed to address longstanding border disputes and enhance bilateral cooperation during a meeting held ahead of a regional summit in Tianjin. Modi’s trip marks his first visit to China since relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors sharply declined following deadly clashes between their troops in 2020. The visit comes as part of India's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional bloc focused on political, economic, and security issues, spearheaded by China. In his remarks, Modi said that ties between the two countries have progressed “in a meaningful direction,” highlighting that the border situation has calmed after disengagement efforts. He emphasized that peace and stability along the frontier are essential for further development of India-China relations, according to a statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs. President Xi echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that the talks in Tianjin would “further elevate” and sustain the “healthy and stable” trajectory of bilateral relations, as reported by China’s state broadcaster CCTV. He urged both sides not to allow the border dispute to define their overall relationship. Instead, Xi said, the focus should be on mutual development. “As long as both countries stay committed to being partners rather than rivals, and prioritize opportunities over threats, China-India ties will steadily move forward,” he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin also arrived in Tianjin on Sunday and is expected to hold talks with both leaders in the coming days. Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi as part of a diplomatic thaw between the two nations. During that visit, both countries agreed to restart stalled border negotiations, resume direct flights, and ease visa restrictions. Wang’s visit occurred around the same time the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on India in response to its continued imports of Russian oil. However, Indian officials have indicated that efforts to repair ties with China had been underway well before that development. Reaffirming India's independent foreign policy stance, Modi stated on Sunday that “India and China both value strategic autonomy, and their relationship should not be viewed through the prism of any third country,” according to India's foreign ministry. In a sign of improving ties, both sides have increased high-level exchanges this year and discussed removing some trade and travel restrictions. In June, China granted Indian pilgrims permission to visit sacred sites in Tibet, further signaling progress in diplomatic engagement.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming move to formally recognize a Palestinian state has stirred sharp criticism from both Israel and the United States. The decision, intended to revive diplomatic momentum for a two-state solution amid the ongoing war in Gaza, has drawn fire for what opponents argue is a politically destabilizing gesture. In a letter sent last week to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron emphasized that France’s support for Palestinian statehood stems from the belief that lasting peace is vital for Israel’s security. He described the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as “unjustifiable” and underscored the urgency for a political resolution. As the death toll in Gaza surpassed 63,000, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry, and Israel declared Gaza City a combat zone, Macron’s letter signaled a shift among Western powers. France, along with the UK, Canada, Australia, and Malta, plans to officially recognize a Palestinian state during the upcoming UN General Assembly session starting on September 23. New Zealand, Finland, and Portugal are reportedly weighing similar moves. Netanyahu, who opposes Palestinian statehood and has vowed to intensify military operations in Gaza, condemned Macron’s stance. He accused the French leader of “fanning the flames of antisemitism” — a claim Macron rejected as “disgraceful.” US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner echoed Israel’s position, warning in a letter that steps toward recognition could embolden extremists and jeopardize Jewish safety, including in France. His remarks prompted a formal response from the French Foreign Ministry. “This strong reaction highlights how symbolic actions can carry significant weight,” said Pascal Boniface, a French geopolitical analyst. “There’s now a race between renewed diplomatic engagement focused on a two-state solution and an increasingly dire reality on the ground in Gaza that’s making such a solution harder to implement.” Some advocates for Palestinian statehood expressed frustration that the recognition will be delayed until September, fearing that further destruction in Gaza will only complicate future diplomacy. International leaders, including Macron, continue to urge Israel to halt its military offensive in the densely populated and war-torn Gaza Strip, where over 2 million people are displaced, infrastructure lies in ruins, and famine has taken hold. In his letter, Macron warned that the occupation and forced displacement of Palestinians, along with policies leading to starvation, would not bring Israel peace. Instead, he argued, such actions would further isolate the country and fuel antisemitism globally. While more than 140 countries already recognize Palestinian statehood—mostly as a symbolic gesture—analysts say Macron’s initiative could still have diplomatic impact. Muhammad Shehada, a Gaza-based analyst and fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the involvement of major Western powers counters Netanyahu’s narrative that mass displacement is the only path forward. “This move brings weight to the two-state vision and pressures Israel diplomatically,” he noted. Backing Moderate Palestinian Leadership France’s diplomatic push, led in coordination with Saudi Arabia, also secured a significant breakthrough earlier this year: a joint statement from all 22 Arab League nations condemning Hamas attacks on civilians. This marked the first such consensus, agreed upon at a July conference in New York. In the declaration, Arab leaders called on Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza and disarm, handing over authority to the Palestinian Authority (PA)—a move intended to strengthen moderate Palestinian factions and lay groundwork for statehood talks. Shehada said the plan may help weaken hardline elements within Hamas by signaling that diplomatic engagement, not violence, can lead to an independent Palestinian state. “This offers Palestinians a political path and an alternative to armed struggle,” he said. The PA seeks statehood in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem—territories seized by Israel during the 1967 war. However, the PA was expelled from Gaza in 2007 following a Hamas takeover and now governs limited areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Despite renewed European support, the Palestinian Authority remains unpopular among many Palestinians, who view it as corrupt and ineffective. Nonetheless, Macron and other leaders continue to view a reformed PA as central to achieving a lasting peace.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin plans to travel to India in December, Putin's aide said Friday. Putin's foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters that the Russian leader will discuss his upcoming December visit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in China. Putin and Modi will meet on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which was established by China and Russia in 2001 with a focus on security in Central Asia and the wider region. Putin is attending the summit and holding multiple bilateral meetings on the sidelines as part of a four-day visit to China on Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. He also will hold extensive talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing and attend a massive military parade there commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War, according to the Kremlin. In addition meeting with Modi, the Russian leader on Monday is also scheduled to have bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as other contacts, Ushakov said. Russian officials also were "working on the possibility of a bilateral meeting” between Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing, where Kim will also be attending the parade, Ushakov added. According to Ushakov, Putin's meeting with Modi will be the first this year, but the two “have repeatedly maintained contact by telephone.” Modi travelled to Russia last year twice — first to Moscow for talks with Putin in July, his first trip to Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Kremlin’s forces in 2022, and then to Kazan in October for the summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies. Russia had strong ties with India during the Cold War, and New Delhi’s importance as a key trading partner with Moscow has grown since the war in Ukraine. Modi has avoided condemning Russia while emphasizing a peaceful settlement. Their partnership has become more complicated, however, as Russia has moved closer to China amid international isolation of Moscow over Ukraine. China and India are key buyers of Russian oil following sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies that shut most Western markets off to Russian exports.

Beijing will roll out the red carpet for more than two dozen world leaders at two major, defense-related events in the coming week. The guest lists, including notable omissions, are a window into China’s ambitions, alliances and continued attempts to expand its influence. The two events are the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a group established by China and Russia in 2001 with a focus on security in Central Asia and the wider region, and a massive military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, where China emerged victorious over its neighbor Japan. High-profile guests of Chinese President Xi Jinping will include the Russian and North Korean leaders, as well as heads of state and government from most Southeast Asian and Central Asian nations. But the guest lists for the SCO forum and the military parade don’t fully overlap, reflecting Beijing’s interests, loyalties and limitations among its neighbors and beyond. Russia, India and Central Asia will be present at the SCO summit World leaders will start pouring in for the SCO summit, to be held Sunday and Monday in the port city of Tianjin, just southeast of Beijing. Then on Wednesday, there will be a massive military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II. The parade is set to showcase some of China’s most advanced homegrown weapons, including more than 100 aircraft, and numerous tanks and missiles. The guest list for the SCO summit includes leaders of the organization's 10 member states, along with representatives from almost two dozen other countries, some of which may join the group at a later date. SCO was established by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and later expanded to include members such as India, Iran, Pakistan and Belarus. Afghanistan and Mongolia are observer states, and 14 other countries, mostly from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, serve as “dialogue partners.” The country hosting the annual summit rotates every year. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi top the list of dignitaries attending the summit. Also attending are Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, whose countries are “dialogue partners” within SCO. Some countries that are not SCO members will also be represented, mostly from Southeast Asia. These include Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam, reflecting China’s desire to shore up its ties within the region. Not everyone will stay for the military parade Most of the high-level guests at the SCO forum and the military parade will overlap, but there will be some notable departures — and additions. The leaders of India, Egypt and Turkey will leave Beijing before the military show. Egypt will be represented by a lower-level official. Like most Western countries and their allies, India and Turkey generally refrain from posing alongside China’s top leaders at military parades, which take place every few years. Instead, joining Xi and Putin to observe Chinese troops marching in lockstep on Chang'an Avenue will be North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who will not have attended the earlier SCO summit. This will be Kim’s first meeting with Xi in more than six years, and his first occasion to come together with a group of world leaders since the reclusive North Korean leader took office, in late 2011. Xi, Putin and Kim potentially seated together in Tiananmen Square will make for a defiant show of unity at a time when the West is increasingly frustrated over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Beijing, though on paper neutral in the conflict, has not condemned Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and is accused of selling weapon components to Russia. Meanwhile, North Korea has sent troops to aid the Russians in the war. Additionally, Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who is the country’s acting president in the wake of a military coup in 2021, will also attend the military parade. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, as well as the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe, will also be there. The only European heads of state attending the parade but not the SCO summit will be the Russia-friendly Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Russia launched a mass attack on southern Ukraine, local officials said, two days after a rare airstrike on central Kyiv killed 23 and damaged European Union diplomatic offices as U.S.-led efforts to end Moscow’s three-year war on its neighbor staggered. The assault overnight into Saturday killed at least one civilian and wounded 28 people, including children, in the Zaporizhzhia region, Gov. Ivan Fedorov reported, where a five-storey residential building was struck. Russia launched 537 strike drones and decoys, as well as 45 missiles, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. Ukrainian forces shot down or neutralized 510 drones and decoys, and 38 missiles, the force reported. The Kremlin on Thursday said Russia remained interested in continuing peace talks, despite the air attack on Kyiv that day that was one of the largest and deadliest since Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Thursday's strike was one of the few times Russian drones and missiles have penetrated the heart of the Ukrainian capital. Children were among the dead, and search and rescue efforts continued for hours to pull people from the rubble. Hours after the attack, the Trump administration approved a $825 million arms sale to Ukraine that will include extended-range missiles and related equipment to boost its defensive capabilities, as U.S. efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia appear to have stalled.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday said the audio clip circulated on social media in the name of Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury involving Gono Parishad Odhikar leader Nurul Haque Nur is ‘fake or AI-generated’. The fabricated 25-second audio clip shared from multiple accounts including one named ‘Ismail Chowdhury Samrat’ attempted to show the adviser instructing an anonymous police officer regarding Nur, said a statement of the Home Ministry. The ministry clarified that the voice in the clip does not belong to the adviser but is an artificially generated or distorted version. Anyone familiar with the adviser’s voice can easily understand that it is not his voice, the statement said. The ministry said such false and misleading content misinforms the public, spreads rumours and undermines social order and the rule of law. The Ministry of Home Affairs strongly protests the creation and circulation of such fabricated audio recordings and the responsible people will be brought under strict legal action, it said. The ministry also cautioned against making or spreading any fake audio or content on social media and warned that legal action will be taken against those involved in such activities.

A US federal appeals court ruled on Friday that former President Donald Trump had no legal authority to impose widespread tariffs under emergency powers — a major legal setback for the former president. However, the court left the tariffs in effect for now, giving the administration until mid-October to appeal to the Supreme Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a lower court’s ruling that Trump overreached under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when he imposed tariffs on nearly all foreign imports. "It seems unlikely Congress meant to grant the President unlimited authority to impose tariffs," the judges said in a 7-4 decision. Despite the ruling, the tariffs remain active while the legal process continues. Trump vowed to challenge the decision, claiming it would “destroy the United States of America” if not overturned. A White House spokesperson, Kush Desai, maintained that Trump acted legally and expressed confidence in ultimately winning the case. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Schwab, a lawyer representing small businesses harmed by the tariffs, said the ruling confirms that the president cannot impose tariffs without limits, protecting U.S. companies and consumers from “uncertainty and harm.” However, Jake Colvin, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, warned that businesses may not feel immediate relief and called on Congress to reclaim its constitutional role over trade policy. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he would push for votes to repeal the tariffs whenever possible. What the ruling means for Trump’s trade agendaThe decision complicates Trump’s efforts to reshape U.S. trade policy unilaterally. While other legal avenues exist for imposing import taxes, they come with greater limits and longer timelines. Trump’s unpredictable tariff strategies have unsettled global markets, strained alliances, and raised concerns about inflation and economic slowdown. However, he has also used them to pressure countries like the EU and Japan into accepting trade terms favorable to the U.S. and to generate revenue to help offset his tax cuts. Before the ruling, some legal experts, like Ashley Akers from law firm Holland & Knight, noted that tariffs were a core part of Trump’s trade negotiation strategy — one that could be weakened by the court’s decision. A dissenting opinion from four judges argued that the 1977 law does not violate constitutional limits and does allow the president some authority to act in emergencies. The Justice Department warned in recent court filings that overturning the tariffs could lead to billions in refund claims and a major hit to the federal budget. So far, the U.S. has collected $159 billion in tariff revenue, more than twice the amount collected in the previous year. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused the court of interfering with the president’s foreign policy powers and also vowed to appeal. What tariffs are involved? The ruling focuses on two sets of Trump-imposed tariffs: “Liberation Day” tariffs (April 2): Trump imposed up to 50% tariffs on imports from countries with which the U.S. runs trade deficits, and a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all others. He justified them under a declared national emergency over the U.S. trade deficit. “Trafficking tariffs” (Feb 1): Tariffs placed on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China in response to a claimed national emergency involving the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the U.S.Critics argued that the longstanding U.S. trade deficit — ongoing for 49 years — does not constitute the kind of “extraordinary threat” required to invoke emergency powers under IEEPA. The Court of International Trade had previously ruled in May that the Liberation Day tariffs exceeded Trump’s legal authority. It also rejected the trafficking tariffs, saying they did not directly address the stated emergencies. What’s not affected? The case does not challenge: Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos imposed after a Commerce Department investigation cited national security risks.China-specific tariffs under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which President Biden has kept in place. What happens next? If the Supreme Court takes up the case and overturns the tariffs, the U.S. could face massive refund demands from importers. Trump may still try to impose tariffs under other legal tools, such as: Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days on countries with big trade surpluses.Section 301, which lets the president retaliate against unfair trade practices — the legal basis for his trade war with China.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the visas of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other Palestinian officials ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, a decision the Palestinian Authority (PA) has condemned as a breach of international law. A U.S. State Department official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of visa matters, confirmed Friday that the new restrictions target Abbas and other members of the Palestinian Authority. However, Palestinian diplomats stationed at the U.N. were granted exceptions and can continue their duties in New York. This action is part of an ongoing series of measures taken by the Trump administration targeting Palestinian officials. It comes at a time of renewed conflict in Gaza, where Israel has declared the largest city a combat zone. Additionally, the U.S. has suspended a program that previously allowed wounded Palestinian children from Gaza to receive medical care in the U.S., following pressure from conservative voices online. In a statement, the State Department said it is denying some visa applications from Palestinian officials, including those affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)."It is in our national security interest to hold the PLO and PA accountable for not fulfilling their commitments and for obstructing peace efforts," the department said. It also emphasized that both the PLO and PA must reject terrorism and stop promoting it in education in order to be considered credible partners for peace, as required under U.S. law. The Palestinian Authority criticized the move as a violation of the U.S.’s responsibilities as the host country of the United Nations, citing the U.N. Headquarters Agreement and the PA’s status as a U.N. observer state."The Palestinian presidency expressed deep regret and astonishment," the statement said, calling the decision a violation of international norms. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the organization would seek clarification from Washington, noting,"It’s important that all member and observer states are able to be represented." Despite the visa revocations, the U.S. confirmed it would grant waivers to allow Palestinian representatives at the U.N. mission to continue operating in New York under existing host country agreements. The move reflects the administration’s broader policy of tightening entry restrictions and making public examples of controversial visa decisions. In one recent case, a top State Department official publicly posted about revoking visas for British music duo Bob Vylan, who led a chant critical of the Israeli military. Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour said President Abbas had been scheduled to attend and speak at the General Assembly, as he has done for years. He was also expected to participate in a high-level meeting on September 22, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, focused on advancing a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Israel officially designated Gaza’s largest city as a combat zone on Friday and recovered the bodies of two hostages, marking the beginning of a new phase in its military campaign, which has faced sharp criticism from the international community. As fighting resumed, Gaza's health ministry reported the death toll had risen to 63,025, with 59 more fatalities in the last 24 hours. Despite the renewed military activity, aid groups and religious institutions sheltering civilians in Gaza City said they would not evacuate, standing firm in their commitment to support those still facing hunger and displacement. This development comes after weeks of Israeli plans to expand operations in Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are taking refuge amid widespread famine. The Israeli military has escalated airstrikes on the outskirts of the city in recent days. UN warns Israeli assault on Gaza City would crush hopes of ending war Heavy smoke and loud explosions were visible from southern Israel on Friday morning, underscoring the intensifying military campaign. Israeli authorities claim Gaza City remains a stronghold for Hamas and allege that underground tunnels continue to be used, despite previous raids during the nearly 23-month-long conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel must dismantle Hamas’ presence in Gaza City to prevent future attacks like the one on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war. Though the United Nations and aid organizations have condemned the offensive, residents say the violence has been constant."The massacres never stopped, even during the so-called humanitarian pauses," said local resident Mohamed Aboul Hadi in a message from Gaza City. Meanwhile, displaced families have started setting up makeshift tents in central Gaza, near the Nuseirat refugee camp, citing dire living conditions."We are thrown out like animals — no, worse than animals," said Mohammed Maarouf, who is sheltering with his family of nine. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas but is staffed by medical professionals, over 63,000 people have been killed since the war began. The toll includes 322 deaths due to malnutrition, with 121 of them children. While Israel disputes the figures, it has not released its own count, and the UN continues to regard the ministry’s data as the most reliable available. Escalation Amid Evacuation Warnings Last month, Israel introduced temporary "tactical pauses" in fighting during certain hours to allow humanitarian aid to pass. However, relief organizations reported ongoing difficulties due to blockades, theft, and military restrictions. On Friday, the Israeli military reversed that policy, ramping up operations and mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists."We will escalate our operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled," said army spokesperson Avichay Adraee, urging civilians in Gaza City to evacuate south, calling it “inevitable.” Many residents began fleeing again, loading their belongings onto trucks and carts. However, many expressed despair over the lack of safe shelter."There’s no safe place left. We don’t know where to go," said Saddam Yazigi. Despite the renewed bombardment, around 440 people sheltering at the Holy Family Church chose to remain, along with clergy members."When danger comes, we move closer to the walls," said church member Farid Jubran. The U.N. and other NGOs have also chosen to stay in Gaza City. Yet, the Israeli military did not provide prior notice of the resumed daytime fighting, aid groups said. The Norwegian Refugee Council, which coordinates humanitarian efforts, reported being caught off guard. The U.N. warned that medical services may lose up to half their hospital capacity. "We cannot serve two million besieged people in the south," said Zaher al-Wahidi, spokesperson for Gaza’s Health Ministry. This offensive coincides with last week’s declaration of famine in Gaza City by the world’s leading food security agency. An Israeli military source stated they would continue facilitating aid — but did not clarify how that would be done amid the combat. "This will have a devastating impact on already malnourished, displaced, and traumatized civilians," said the U.N.’s humanitarian office. Hostage Remains Recovered Israel also reported the recovery of the remains of two hostages — Ilan Weiss, 55, and another individual who has not yet been publicly identified. Weiss was killed during the October 7 assault on Kibbutz Be’eri. "We will not stop until every hostage, living or dead, is brought home," said Netanyahu. Hamas’ military wing, via spokesperson Abu Obeida, said its fighters were prepared for battle in Gaza City and would try to keep remaining hostages alive, but acknowledged fighting is likely near where hostages are being held. Currently, around 50 of the original 251 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to still be alive, according to Israeli authorities. Roughly 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed in the October 7 attack. Some hostages were released during temporary ceasefires or exchanges. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum — an advocacy group pushing for hostage recovery — renewed its call for a deal. "Time is running out. The government must remain at the negotiation table until every last hostage returns," the group stated.