International

Israeli Hostage Rescue Operation: Rising Death Toll Sparks International Concern

Head of EU Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, criticised on Sunday the "horrifying" reports of hundreds of civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip during an Israeli hostage rescue operation.

Meanwhile, the casualty count of the operation soared, as reported by Politico.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, under Hamas administration, over 200 Palestinians were killed in the Saturday attack, during which the Israeli army rescued four hostages in the centre of the Gaza Strip.

Borrell stated on X, "The reports from Gaza about another civilian massacre are horrifying. We strongly condemn this." He further emphasised, "The bloodshed must cease immediately."

Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian National Authority, called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the "bloody massacre in En-Nuseirat".

Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, Israeli forces have only managed to rescue seven hostages. According to the latest data, approximately 120 Israeli prisoners remain in the Gaza Strip, their status unknown.

The conflict escalation in the Middle East began after the radical Islamist movement Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the USA, attacked Israel on October 7th. The terrorists launched a massive rocket attack on Israel, breached its territory, and perpetrated the largest civilian massacre in the history of the modern Israeli state, claiming approximately 1,200 lives.

Additionally, the militants captured around 250 hostages, taking them to the Gaza Strip. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, launching massive attacks on this densely populated Palestinian region, led by Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted both aerial and ground operations. Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry claims over 37,000 casualties and nearly 84,500 injuries. These figures remain unverified by independent sources.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Bogdan Nigai

Bogdan Nigai

Author

Read more

Presidential elections in Romania. Over 18 million Romanians are expected to vote on Sunday
International

Presidential elections in Romania. Over 18 million Romanians are expected to vote on Sunday

Over 18 million Romanians in the country are expected, on Sunday, November 24, 2024, to vote in the first round of the presidential elections, with 14 candidates on the ballot paper. The almost 19,000 polling stations on the territory of Romania opened at 7:00 and close at 21:00, with the possibility of extension until 23:59 for those in the headquarters or in line outside the polling station. Abroad, there are almost one million Romanians with the right to vote in this election, reports news.ro.

Presidential elections in Romania // Over 12,600 people voted at polling stations opened in the Republic of Moldova
Elections

Presidential elections in Romania // Over 12,600 people voted at polling stations opened in the Republic of Moldova

Over 79,600 Romanian citizens cast their right to vote, by this time, at polling stations opened for the first round of the presidential elections taking place over three days. At the 59 polling stations opened in the Republic of Moldova, 12,600 citizens voted today. Most Romanian citizens voted at polling stations opened in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - over 11,500, Germany - 10,300 and in Italy about 10,000 people.

Romanian citizens will travel to China without a visa for one year
Diaspora

Romanian citizens will travel to China without a visa for one year

Romanian citizens will travel to China without a visa for one year, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) in Bucharest. According to a statement from the Romanian diplomatic mission, the visa exemption will be in effect from November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025.