Trending
Middle East updates: ‘No end to hell’ in northern Gaza, UN official says
Vast swathes of Gaza have been reduced to rubble as Israel’s offensive continues. UNRWA has criticized Israeli evacuation orders ahead of further military operations.
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to hold talks of Iran attack retaliation Dortmund police end a pro-Palestinian protest camp ahead of a visit by activist Greta ThunbergUK Foreign Minister David Lammy calls for deescalation ahead of his visit to the Middle East
Here are the latest developments regarding the Israel-Lebanon escalation, Gaza and the wider Middle East region on Wednesday, October 9.
Situation deteriorating in northern Gaza, says UNRWA chief
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Wednesday that the situation is dire in northern Gaza with at least 400,000 people are trapped in the region.
UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said on social media platform X that Israel’s evacuation orders “forcing people to flee again are again, especially from Jabalia Camp.”
Jabalia, in northern Gaza, is the largest refugee camp for Palestinians in Gaza.
Lazzarini said many are refusing to leave, knowing there is no safe place in Gaza.
In his post, he added that UNRWA shelters and services are closing, some for the first time since the war began. This is impacting a polio vaccination campaign for children and also contributing to rising food shortages, he said.
Meanwhile, Israel pressed on with raids on the Jabalia refugee camp on the fifth day.
According to Palestinian officials in the Hamas-run Health Ministry, at least 18 people were killed in overnight military strikes on Gaza.
German journalist held in Lebanon after Nasrallah’s assassination
German war reporter and the deputy editor of the daily Bild, Paul Ronzheimer, was held for questioning in Beirut a day after Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Ronzheimer and the newspaper said.
Suspected Lebanese military intelligence operatives detained Ronzheimer and his team from their hotel, interrogating them while handcuffed and blindfolded, according to the Bild report.
Ronzheimer was released later that evening after the German Embassy intervened.
The journalist remained in Lebanon covering the aftermath of the airstrike that killed Nasrallah and its fallout.
Bild released details about his detention only after he left Lebanon.
Biden to hold conversation with Netanyahu over Iran retaliation
US President Joe Biden will hold a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s reaction to the Iranian rocket attack which took place on October 1, US outlet Axios reported.
The two leaders will talk for the first time after two tense months, Axios reported, citing three unnamed US officials.
The call aims to “try and shape the limitations of the Israeli retaliation.” Officials told Axios the Israeli response was expected to be significant.
Netanyahu wants to keep Biden in the loop once a decision on the Israeli response is made.
Biden and Netanyahu are also expected to discuss Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced a scheduled visit by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was postponed, with Israeli media reporting that Netanyahu had wanted to speak to Biden first.
German police dissolve pro-Palestine camp ahead of Thunberg visit
Police in the western German city of Dortmund have dismantled a pro-Palestinian protest camp. The news came after Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said she would visit on Tuesday.
According to Dortmund police, the decision was taken due to concerns that Thunberg was “potentially violent.” There is concern that Thunberg’s participation in the demonstration could have resulted in more people attending it than originally permitted.
The camp, which had been in place for months, was dismantled peacefully, with seven protesters present, police said. Thunberg did not show up.
This comes after a pro-Palestinian protest in Berlin saw bottles being thrown at police and journalists being attacked, with Thunberg being present at the protest.
In recent months, Thunberg has repeatedly expressed her solidarity with the Palestinians and accused Israel of genocide.
UK’s Lammy to press for deescalation during Middle East visit
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he will “press for an end to the cycle of violence” during his upcoming visit to the Middle East.
Lammy will hold talks with leaders in Bahrain and Jordan, as well as meeting UK soldiers currently stationed in the region.
“I am pleased to be back in the region to meet with our key partners in Bahrain and Jordan,” Lammy said ahead of his trip.
“We must not waver at this critical period to achieve cease-fires in Gazaand Lebanon, to get more desperately needed aid into Gaza, and secure the release of all hostages.”
Since his previous visit in mid-August, tensions in the region have escalated significantly, with Israel’s ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon being underway and Iranshooting missiles at Israelfor the second time in the past six months earlier in October.
Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.
The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.
The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.
During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.
Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.
“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.
“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”
Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.
According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.
He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.
“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.
The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said
The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.
“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said
According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.
Trending
Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion
A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.
The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.
“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.
The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.
The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.
Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.
A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.
Olusegun Obasanjo’s Daughter Declares For Ogun Governorship, Joins APC
Nigerian Pharmacist D!es While Donating Kidney To Save His Cousin’s Life
Two Presidents, Many Dignitaries In Attendance As Defence Minister Matawalle’s 10 Children Get Married In One Day (Photos/Video)
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI