The US delivers weapons to Israel, the UN expresses its stance on the IDF's siege of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian President is about to visit Russia... are some notable world news in the past 24 hours.
IDF confirmed that Israeli soldiers have regained control of the southern Gaza area. (Source: Reuters) |
The World & Vietnam Newspaper highlights some of the day's international news highlights.
* Russia fakes missile launches into Ukraine: In the early morning of October 10, the Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) reported “multiple missiles flying into Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kiev and Kiev region”. Air raid sirens sounded and the interactive map of Ukraine turned red across most of the country. Then information about “air defense activity” in Chernihiv region appeared. However, just a few hours later, no announcement was made about the downing of Russian missiles.
Later, Ukrainian military sources said that “Russia used the method of faking missile launches.” One of the sources wrote: “It is possible that Russia used electronic warfare tonight to fake several missile launches into Ukraine. They created false targets for the VSU air defense forces to determine the location of air defense missile systems, including Patriot and IRIS-T air defense systems provided.” (Reuters)
* Russia warns UN over attempt to seize Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant: On October 9, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the statement of the head of the Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR), Kirill Budanov, about the VSU's attempt to attack the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will pour cold water on the United Nations (UN).
She stressed that the Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated that Kiev is “blackmailing” Europe with the possibility of using the nuclear power plant as a “dirty nuclear weapon”. Russia has provided data after each shelling of the Zaporizhzhia plant of the VSU. According to Zakharova, after the confession of the head of the GUR, it is time for the people of the West, who have been indoctrinated with the threat of using nuclear weapons allegedly coming from Russia, to wake up. (TASS)
* Ukraine replaces the leader of the Territorial Defense Forces : On October 9, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed General Ihor Tantsyura, who had been the Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine since May 2022, and appointed Major General Anatoliy Barhylevich to replace him. Kiev did not give a reason for this decision.
Since May 2022, Mr. Barhylevich, 54, has been the chief of staff of the army in eastern Ukraine, an area where serious clashes have occurred since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops there in February 2022. The territorial defense force is part of the VSU, and is responsible for protecting important facilities, countering sabotage and enemy intelligence, as well as maintaining security in the country. (Reuters)
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* Israel regains control of Gaza fence , stops infiltrations: On October 10, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had regained control of the Gaza border fence that had been breached by Palestinian Hamas militants. Its soldiers are currently planting mines in areas where the fence was breached.
Meanwhile, speaking on Israeli Army Radio, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said there had been no new incursions from Gaza since October 9. Responding to speculation that militants had used cross-border tunnels, the official said the army had not detected such cases.
At the same time, on the night of October 9 and the morning of October 10, Israeli warplanes relentlessly bombed more than 200 targets in the Khan Yunis area and the Rimal neighborhood in the Gaza Strip. The targets included military facilities of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a Hamas weapons storage facility in a church, and a Hamas facility in an apartment in a multi-purpose building.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared: “We have only just begun our attack on Hamas…What we will do to our opponents in the coming days will echo in their minds for generations to come.”
Israel will distribute rifles to volunteer rapid response forces in border communities and towns with Jewish and Arab populations, according to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. He said about 4,000 Israeli-made rifles will be distributed in the first batch and at least 6,000 in the next. Volunteers will also be provided with hard hats and bulletproof vests.
The four-day conflict has so far left at least 1,600 people dead, including more than 900 Israelis and 700 Palestinians . In addition, up to 3,900 people have been injured and hundreds of thousands of people have had to leave their homes and flee to UN-run schools for refuge. (Reuters/VNA)
* The UN criticizes Israel's complete siege of the Gaza Strip: On October 10, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated: "International humanitarian law is clear: the obligation to care for civilians and civilian property remains in place throughout the offensive... The imposition of a siege policy that endangers the lives of civilians by depriving them of goods essential to their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law."
At the same time, the statement also asserted that any restrictions on the movement of people and goods to carry out the siege must be justified as being militarily necessary, otherwise it could lead to collective punishment.
In related news, on the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for the opening of a humanitarian corridor in and out of the Gaza Strip. According to the organization's representative, its supplies in the Gaza Strip are gradually running out, while patients in hospitals in the area are in dire need of those supplies.
“WHO calls for an end to the violence... there needs to be humanitarian corridors to reach people with essential medical supplies. We need supplies: hospitals cannot function without fuel, without electricity. The supplies we have pre-ordered are running out. We need new supplies,” WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said at a press conference in Geneva. (AFP/VNA)
* The US begins delivering weapons and ammunition to Israel : On October 10, US National Security Council Strategic Coordinator John Kirby said that the first batch of military aid is on its way to Israel. He stated: "We expect to have more requests for security assistance to Israel in the context of their need for more ammunition for the war... We will stand by them and ensure that we will respond to the needs of the Israeli side in the best and fastest way". However, in response to questions from the press about whether the US will send troops to help Israel, Mr. Kirby affirmed that Washington "has no intention of landing troops on Israeli soil".
In another news, an unnamed US Defense Department official said that Washington is closely monitoring Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed armed groups in the region. The source said that the US sent the aircraft carrier to the area to prevent these groups from infiltrating or expanding the conflict with Israel. The official also revealed that Washington is using all forms of communication to send a message to countries and extremist groups in the region that they should not doubt the US commitment to supporting Israel's defense. (TTXVN)
* France criticizes Hamas for “blackmail” : On October 10, speaking to the press during his two-day visit to Germany, French President Emmanuel Macron stated: “Hamas’s blackmail after the attack is unacceptable.” According to the French leader, it is possible that this armed force received “assistance” from outside in the attack on Israel. However, he also emphasized that “there is no official trace” confirming “direct involvement” from Iran.
Earlier, an official from Hamas' Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said: "Any targeting of our people without prior warning will face the execution of one of the civilian hostages." (AFP)
* Austria and Italy rush to evacuate citizens from Israel : On October 10, speaking on Puls 24 (Austria) television channel during a visit to Turkey, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said that about 200 Austrians have announced their desire to leave Israel. The Austrian Foreign Ministry has asked citizens who want to leave on the evacuation flight to contact the Embassy in Tel Aviv. He said: "The flight will be carried out in cooperation with the Austrian armed forces. A transport plane will be ready and the mission will begin on October 11. The flight will go to Cyprus."
On the same day, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg’s spokesman confirmed that the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft would be on the mission and that its destination would be Cyprus. Earlier, on October 9, Austria said that three dual citizens of the country were missing and were suspected of being smuggled into Gaza by Hamas.
Meanwhile, speaking in the Italian Parliament, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that the Hamas Islamist movement bears full responsibility for the current conflict between the group and Israel. At the same time, he affirmed that Rome is making every effort to repatriate its citizens from Israel amid rising tensions in the region. The official said that 500 Italian citizens will be able to leave the Jewish country in the coming days on both private and military flights.
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* US senators assess visit to China : On October 10, speaking at a press conference at the US Embassy building in Beijing, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said there was “real interaction” in the rare meeting between the US congressmen delegation and Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 9.
“We need to get results,” he stressed, but acknowledged that “there are still differences” between the two sides. According to the US senator, Beijing will “consider” appointing a senior official to handle the fentanyl issue, which has become a major sticking point in the relationship. “I asked Xi to appoint a senior Chinese official and we will appoint a senior official (on fentanyl)... They said they would consider it,” Schumer said. (Reuters)
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* Russian and Chinese foreign ministers prepare to hold talks in Beijing : On October 10, TASS news agency (Russia) quoted the country's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Beijing early next week and hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
“During his visit to Beijing, scheduled for October 16-18 to attend the third Belt and Road International Forum, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi,” she said, without providing further details. (Reuters/Sputnik)
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Southeast Asia
* Cambodia: Candlelight Party allied with 3 other political parties : On October 10, in a press release sent to non-governmental organizations, embassies and the media, the Candlelight Party said that it will join the Khmer Will Party, Local Democracy and Cambodian Reform Party to hold a signing ceremony of a joint statement on the establishment of the "Alliance Towards the Future", scheduled to take place on October 11 at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Hotel in the capital city of Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Before the elections, some parties, including the four mentioned above, often organized alliances to compete with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) but did not achieve any significant results. Recently, an alliance between non-government parties has emerged, in the context of the approaching Cambodian Senate election. (VNA)
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Northeast Asia
* US Senators cancel visits to South Korea and Japan : On October 10, the US Embassy in Japan announced that a congressional delegation led by Senator Chuck Schumer had canceled its visit to South Korea and Japan after concluding its activities in Beijing. The diplomatic mission's press release said: "Due to foreign affairs events, the delegation's trip to Japan has been canceled."
A spokesman for the US Embassy in South Korea said a visit to Seoul had also been canceled but declined to provide details regarding the “diplomatic event”.
Earlier, US officials said 11 citizens were killed and others may be being held hostage by Hamas after a surprise attack on Israel. (AFP)
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Europe
* Ukrainian President visits Romania : On October 10, writing on social network X , Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized: "I came to Bucharest, Romania to hold talks with (President) Klaus Iohannis and strengthen good neighborly relations."
According to the Ukrainian President, the two sides will discuss “increasing security cooperation”. The leader wrote: “Ukraine is grateful for Romania’s support, which helps strengthen our state, as well as for the constructive solidarity that allows countries to become contributors to ensuring food security”.
For its part, the Romanian Presidential Office stated: “The visit reaffirms our continued unconditional support for Ukraine.” The statement also stressed that within the framework of the agenda of the discussions, the two sides will discuss “expanding cross-border connections, developing economic relations and Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.” After the meeting with President Iohannis, Mr. Zelensky will also meet with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
It is the first time the Ukrainian leader has visited Romania, a neighbour important to Kiev's grain exports, since the conflict began. (AFP)
* German Chancellor concerned about the rise of the far-right: On October 10, at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Hamburg (Germany), Mr. Olaf Scholz stated: "We are concerned that the votes are leaning towards the right-wing populist party in Germany. This is related to the protection of democracy... There is no doubt that the political views expressed there are not very compatible with the ideas we have about freedom, democracy and the rule of law."
Asked whether Berlin planned to change its migration policy following the far-right's latest gains, Chancellor Scholz defended the coalition's approach, saying Berlin was taking steps to cope with the rising numbers. But the German leader admitted: "The number of refugees arriving in Germany is too high, especially since many of them have previously been to European countries where they were not registered or processed through asylum procedures."
For his part, Mr. Macron, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, said that nationalism was growing due to “an ineffective response to illegal migration issues” and that “there is a need to strengthen cooperation in Europe.” (AFP/VNA)
* Two senior Polish military officials suddenly resign : On October 10, Spokesperson of the Polish General Staff, Colonel Joanna Klejszmit, said that Chief of the General Staff, General Rajmund Andrejczak, had submitted his resignation on October 9. However, she emphasized that General Andrejczak "has the same rights as any soldier", meaning he has the right to resign without needing to give a specific explanation.
General Andrejczak has been Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army since 2018. He was later appointed by President Andrzej Duda as the Supreme Commander of the Polish Armed Forces during wartime. He previously commanded the 16th Mechanized Division and served in the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns.
At the same time, the spokesman for the Armed Forces Operations Command, Lieutenant Colonel Jacek Goryszewski, also confirmed that the head of the force, General Tomasz Piotrowski, had resigned after 5 years in the position.
According to Polish media, two senior military commanders have decided to leave their positions after persistent disagreements with Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, as well as to protest efforts to involve the military in the upcoming October 15 election campaign.
The Polish opposition is also demanding the resignation of Minister Blaszczak. According to Krzystof Gawkowski, head of the opposition New Left (NL) parliamentary group, the Polish army is showing signs of being “split into pieces” amid the increasingly tense situation in Ukraine and Israel. According to them, the actions of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party have left Poland “unable to defend itself” in the event of a “worst-case” crisis. (VNA)
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* Palestinian President to visit Russia : On October 9, in an interview with Russia-24 TV channel (Russia), Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz said that Palestine maintains regular contact with Russia and is currently preparing for President Mahmoud Abbas's visit to Moscow. The diplomat said: "We maintain daily contact with Moscow. Preparations are currently underway for President Abbas's visit to Moscow."
On September 22, he said the two sides are preparing for Mr. Abbas's visit. The last time Mr. Abbas visited Russia was in November 2021. In October 2022, President Vladimir Putin met the Palestinian leader in Astana, on the sidelines of the summit on interaction and confidence-building measures in Asia. (VNA)
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