The Israeli Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, declared on Sunday that Israel has successfully defeated the Khan Yunis brigade of Hamas after an intense two and a half months of combat in the southern Gaza Strip. The defeated brigade was a significant stronghold for Hamas, and their leader, Yahya Sinwar, is now being sought for replacement by the Islamist group.

After conducting a military assessment with Major General Yaron Finkelman, the head of the Southern Command of the Israel Defense Forces, Gallant confidently stated, “Hamas’ Khan Yunis Brigade has been defeated and no longer operates as a military entity.”

Khan Yunis was the main city and center of power for Sinwar within the enclave. The Israeli Defense Minister revealed that Hamas leaders abroad are seeking a replacement for Sinwar since they no longer trust their commanders on the ground. The absence of trustworthy leadership within Gaza has hindered any meaningful negotiations or communication with the group.

Despite months of searching, Israel has been unable to locate Sinwar. While evidence suggests he may have been hiding in underground tunnels in Khan Younis, his whereabouts remain unknown, leaving doubts about whether he is still within the enclave.

Israel’s victory over the formidable Khan Yunis brigade, led by Sinwar’s brother, Mohamed Sinwar, marked a crucial military achievement for Israel, as it took over two months to gain control of the city.

Two weeks ago, Israel announced the dismantling of Hamas’ main military headquarters in Khan Yunis, where they discovered crucial intelligence documents and weapons, but no sign of the group’s leaders such as the Sinwar brothers or Mohamed Deif, the head of the al Qasam brigades.

In recent weeks, Israel has been besieging hospitals in Khan Yunis, resulting in the forced entry and evacuation of over 10,000 displaced individuals and numerous wounded and sick individuals. Tragically, several patients died due to a lack of oxygen when the Naser hospital, where Israel claimed “Hamas operatives” were hiding, became inoperable.

The surrender of at least “200 terrorist suspects” in Naser and several dozen in Al Amal, according to Gallant, signifies a loss of fighting spirit among Hamas militants due to their lack of internal leadership.

Following the defeat in Khan Yunis, Gallant asserted that Hamas only has “marginal forces” remaining in the refugee camps in the enclave’s center (Maghazi, Bureij, or Nuseirat) and the Rafah brigade, their final stronghold in the southern part of the Strip. Israel has vowed to soon launch an attack on the Rafah brigade.

Gallant added, “What stands between them and a complete collapse as a military system is an Israeli decision.” He further emphasized that no external assistance from Iran or international agencies can come to Hamas’ aid. As the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared last week, extending the ground offensive to Rafah is necessary to prevent losing the war.

In a bid to enhance security and protect themselves from potential threats, Egyptian authorities have commenced the construction of a massive concrete wall along the border with the Gaza Strip. This move comes as a precautionary measure in case a significant number of Gazans attempt to enter Egypt if Israel launches an offensive in Rafah. The Wall Street Journal reported on this development, citing Egyptian officials and security analysts as sources.

Satellite images obtained from Planet Labs PBC clearly show earth movements and construction activities in the Sinai region, covering an area of over 20 square kilometers. Speculations suggest that this area could potentially be utilized as a refuge for Palestinians seeking shelter from the Gaza Strip.

The wall itself stands at an impressive height of five meters, as evidenced by videos released by the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, which actively documented the construction process.

According to Egyptian officials interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, this new walled camp, which will be located away from the Egyptian population, has the capacity to host more than 100,000 individuals. However, it has been noted that many tents have already been transported to the site but not yet set up.

This recent undertaking by Egypt is part of a series of actions aimed at bolstering security along its border with the Gaza Strip. In recent months, the country has deployed additional soldiers and armored vehicles to deter Palestinians from entering Egyptian territory.

The border between Rafah, the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip, and Egypt remains closed. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians continue to be confined in temporary camps, having fled from Israeli attacks.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has had a phone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yván Gil, to discuss the situation of the Spanish-Venezuelan activist and citizen Rocío San Miguel, whose arrest was disclosed on February 10th.

Sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have indicated that Albares has shown interest in San Miguel’s situation.

Rocío San Miguel is a Human Rights activist with Spanish citizenship and is being accused of alleged crimes of treason, conspiracy, and terrorism.

San Miguel, who serves as the director of the NGO Citizen Control, was arrested along with five other individuals, four of whom are her family members. They are accused of allegedly being involved in a plan known as “White Bracelet” to attack Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro. San Miguel’s relatives have already been released.

The activist remains detained in the Helicoide, the detention center of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN). According to the NGO Provea, the authorities frequently use “forced disappearance” as a “common practice” within their extensive repressive repertoire.

Additionally, both ministers have discussed the situation of the United Nations High Commissioner’s office in Venezuela. This comes in reference to Caracas’ decision to expel the staff of the United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR), accusing them of “attacking the sovereignty and self-determination of the country with lies, falsifications, misinformation, and manipulations,” according to the sources consulted.

Venezuelan authorities have initiated a campaign of arrests following President Nicolás Maduro’s statement in January that authorities had dismantled four assassination attempts against him last year, which were allegedly planned from the United States and Colombia.

In a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Russian Army for the successful conquest of the Avdivka bastion in eastern Ukraine. This comes after continued fighting in the city since last October. The Kremlin was informed of the capture by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The official note states that the Minister of Defense informed the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces about the seizure of full control of Avdivka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Putin also sent a telegram congratulating all units involved in the fighting and paid tribute to the fallen heroes. Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk region imposed by Moscow, expressed gratitude to the Russian Army for taking the Ukrainian bastion. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that only a few Ukrainian formations were able to withdraw from Avdivka, leaving behind their weapons and military equipment. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine highlighted the limitations his country’s troops face due to the lack of ammunition and long-range missiles from the West. He mentioned that Russia is adapting to the situation on the battlefield. Zelensky made these remarks after Kyiv troops withdrew from Avdivka.

A pit bull breeder was tragically found dead in his own backyard in Compton, Los Angeles (USA) on Friday, believed to have been attacked by his own dogs. The incident occurred on Thursday night but his body was not discovered until the following day, according to the Mirror. The victim has not been identified.

The exact cause of the attack remains unclear, but initial reports suggest that the man was involved in the breeding and sale of dogs and had five adult pit bulls in his yard. It is believed that he may have been attempting to feed the animals when they turned on him.

Helicopters that were surveying the area early on Friday captured photographs of the victim’s body in one of the cages on his property. However, it was later in the day that rescuers arrived and were able to control the situation and capture the dogs. Even after the police presence, a woman managed to enter the yard and required assistance to escape.

Fortunately, firefighters were able to save the woman and also contain the aggressive dogs. The canines were then taken into custody by animal control officers, with their future fate unknown at this time.

The director of the Los Angeles County Animal Control department expressed condolences to the victim’s family and friends, assuring that a thorough investigation will be conducted in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the community, the victim, and the animals involved.

The recent passing of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny has once again brought international attention to the regime of Vladimir Putin in Russia. Many voices are pointing directly at the president, holding him responsible for the death of the imprisoned opponent.

Among those voices is Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for Putin. Gallyamov asserts that it was Putin himself who ordered Navalny’s demise.

“When Putin made the decision to eliminate Navalny, he was in a mentally unstable and hysterical state. He behaves irrationally and lives in his own world,” states Gallyamov, as reported by the Mirror.

“Putin’s mental stability is questionable, as he experiences severe mood swings and moments of emotional imbalance. Over the past two years, he has vanished for extended periods, indicating his uncertainty and inability to regain composure. Following the Prigozhin mutiny in 2023, Putin’s hysteria peaked,” asserts Gallyamov.

US President Joe Biden expressed his unwavering certainty on Friday that Putin was the mastermind behind Navalny’s demise. Protests took place in Moscow and St. Petersburg on the same day, but Russian authorities swiftly suppressed dissidents, leading to the arrest of at least 100 individuals, according to the Russian human rights group OVD-info.

Carles Puigdemont, the former president of the Generalitat and Junts MEP, has emphasized that those who support the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the European Parliament are part of a faction that is “aligned with Spaniards in their campaign against the Catalan language.”

In a sarcastic message on X this Saturday, Puigdemont stated, “Undoubtedly, those who are so worried about Russian interference in the EU have already embarked on a thorough investigation.”

Puigdemont made these remarks in relation to a news report which highlighted that MEP Jana Toom (from the Renew Europe group) voted in favor of the resolution against Russian interference in the EU but also chaired the mission of MEPs investigating linguistic immersion in Catalonia.

Therefore, he urged an analysis of the voting records of all MEPs and a comparison of their stances: “Let’s see where this ally of the PP, Cs, and Vox has been when it comes to voting, and where others stand.”

The resolution against Russian interference in the EU received 433 votes in favor, 56 against, and 18 abstentions. Toom’s vote was among the ‘yes’ votes. The resolution confirms Russian manipulation in democratic processes in Europe and also highlights connections between the Catalan independence movement and Moscow.

In a groundbreaking move, Texas is set to establish a military camp along its border with Mexico, dedicated to housing and supporting up to 1,800 soldiers from the state’s National Guard. Governor Greg Abbott announced this ambitious project on Friday, highlighting its significance for bolstering border security. The camp will be strategically located in the Eagle Pass area, which has been a focal point of Governor Abbott’s efforts to safeguard the border. Notably, the governor previously ordered the placement of a buoy barrier over the Rio Grande in this region, leading to a contentious dispute with the Biden administration.

Speaking at a press conference held at the future campsite, Governor Abbott expressed his confidence in the project’s success, emphasizing the benefits it will bring to the soldiers and the efficiency of their operations. He referred to it as a “win-win” situation, underscoring the improvement in living conditions and overall morale. In line with Operation Lone Star, launched by Abbott in 2021, the camp will provide accommodates for the Texas National Guard soldiers who have been working under challenging conditions as part of the border guarding mission.

The construction plans prioritize scalability, with the capacity to house an additional 500 soldiers if needed for deployment by the Texas Tactical Border Force. The first phase, expected to be completed by April, will provide approximately 300 beds. Citing the magnitude of the operation and the need for expansion, Governor Abbott justified the establishment of the camp as a crucial step. He anticipates that the soldiers will benefit from enhanced living conditions and fortified morale as a result.

As Governor Abbott remains focused on preventing unauthorized crossings, he revealed that additional caravans are expected to pass through Mexico’s southern and central regions with the arrival of spring. Seeking to deter them from choosing Texas as their destination, the governor reiterated the necessity of ensuring that “the wrong place to go is the state of Texas.” This military camp is just one aspect of a broader initiative by Abbott to curb illegal border crossings. His previous actions, including the placement of barbed wire and a buoy barrier in the Rio Grande River, have attracted both support and criticism, most notably from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration.

In further efforts to strengthen border security, the Texas government recently took control of a municipal park in Eagle Pass. Here, it is preventing Border Patrol agents from processing migrants crossing the river and plans to implement additional barriers. The implications of these measures extend beyond the immediate region, reflecting the determination of Texas to prioritize its border security and take proactive measures to safeguard its territory.

The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, addressed the issue of the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison during a press conference in Paris. Zelensky delivered a strong message to Russian voters who plan to elect Vladimir Putin as their president in the upcoming elections in March. He stated, “The people who vote for him must understand that they are voting for a murderer and will have a murderer as their president.”

Zelensky emphasized that those who have economic relations with Putin are essentially profiting from “blood money” as they have contracts with a murderer. He also condemned world leaders who congratulate Putin on his victory, stating that they would be legitimizing a murderer.

The Ukrainian president made these remarks following Navalny’s death in custody, holding Putin responsible for the tragic event. Zelensky described his statements as a confirmation of reality and reiterated this sentiment during a joint press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Authorities in Kansas City have announced that two minors are facing charges in connection with the tragic shooting incident that occurred during the Super Bowl celebration. The incident resulted in the death of a woman and left over 20 individuals injured. The Missouri court has confirmed that the suspects are currently being held in a juvenile detention center on charges related to firearms possession, use, and resisting arrest.

The ongoing investigation by the Kansas City Police Department is expected to lead to additional charges being filed against the suspects. “It is anticipated that additional charges will be filed as the investigation by the Kansas City Police Department continues,” stated the court’s spokesperson.

The shooting occurred during the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory parade on Wednesday. Police Chief Stacey Graves revealed that the incident was a result of a dispute among several individuals and emphasized that there are no connections to terrorism or violent extremists based on preliminary findings.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office stated that if the court approves, the two minors will be charged as adults. However, their identities have not been disclosed due to their age.

Tragically, the shooting claimed the life of Lisa López Galán, a beloved 43-year-old radio DJ of Mexican descent who was attending the celebration with her husband and two children. The injured victims range in age from eight to 47, with a significant portion being under the age of 16, according to the police.

Initially, three minors were taken into custody, but one of them was released after it was determined that they were not involved in the shooting incident.