UN sends $24M in aid to Lebanon as violence escalates in West Bank and Hezbollah attacks Israeli bases.
Amid escalating violence in the West Bank, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees reported the death of employee Sufyan Jaber Abed Jawwad, the first such incident in over a decade, during an Israeli operation.
Meanwhile, in another escalation, Hezbollah launched drones and rockets at Israeli military bases in Safed, triggering significant damage and a power outage. Following these attacks and Israeli raids, the UN has stepped in with $24 million in aid to assist vulnerable groups in Lebanon.
Shifting our focus to Ukraine, the government has approved its 2025 draft budget, heavily prioritizing defense spending with an historic allocation of 2.22 trillion hryvnias amidst a broader expenditure plan aimed at social security and healthcare.
Back in the United States, a pro-Israel rally in a Boston suburb turned violent when a passerby was shot during a confrontation, leading to the arrest of Scott Hayes who is now facing several charges. The victim's condition remains critical as authorities investigate the incident.
On the international stage,
Pope Francis has urged American Catholics to select the "lesser evil" between
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, criticizing both for their stances on abortion and migration. Encouraging voters to follow their conscience, the Pope emphasized the moral complexities of the upcoming election.
Lastly, during a press conference on his return flight,
Pope Francis criticized Israel’s bombings in Gaza and expressed doubts about genuine peace efforts between Israel and Hamas, condemning the destruction of schools and the tragic deaths of Palestinian children.