DEADLY ISRAELI STRIKE TARGETS GAZA HOSPITAL, HUNDREDS FEARED KILLED

An Israeli air strike hit a Gaza City hospital, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Palestinian authorities reported over 300 people killed at Al-Ahli al-Arabi Hospital, while the Gaza health ministry stated at least 500 people were killed or injured. The strike occurred as President Biden planned a visit to Israel amid worsening conditions in Gaza, where several hospitals had become shelters for those seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict.

Hamas, which initiated the war, described the hospital strike as a "horrific massacre," with most casualties being displaced families, patients, children, and women. Israel stated it was investigating the incident. Israeli airstrikes in the south also led to civilian casualties, with at least 72 people killed and many more wounded in residential areas.

Health authorities in Gaza reported over 3,000 people killed during the intense 11-day bombardment by Israel. U.S. officials worked to persuade Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to aid civilians, aid groups, and hospitals. While discussions were ongoing, no final agreement was reached. Israel insisted on guarantees that aid deliveries wouldn't be seized by Hamas and linked aid entry to the return of hostages held by the militant group.

BIDEN'S VISIT IS A HIGH-STAKES GAMBLE

President Biden's upcoming visit to Israel presents both political and physical risks. For an American president, turning up in a warzone is an extraordinary move. The trip aims to show solidarity with Israel during the ongoing conflict with Hamas while also urging restraint on a potentially deadly ground invasion of Gaza. The White House announced the visit after Biden's consultations with intelligence officials and advisers. During the trip, Biden will focus on facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and meeting with leaders from Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority. However, the U.S. administration is concerned that images of Palestinian casualties and the destruction of buildings could shift global public sentiment away from the focus on the initial terrorist attack on October 7. While the U.S. is working to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, it has not criticized Israel's efforts to limit electricity and food supplies to the region. The security risks of this visit became evident when sirens warning of incoming rockets interrupted a meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders were briefly sheltered in response to the alert.

PUTIN IN BEIJING, VISITS ‘DEAR FRIEND’ XI IN SHOW OF NO-LIMITS PARTNERSHIP

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping serves as a significant display of the enduring partnership between the two nations, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Putin's arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport marked his second known foreign trip since an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant was issued against him. The ICC's warrant accused Putin of illegally deporting children from Ukraine, but neither China nor Kyrgyzstan, which Putin recently visited, are ICC member states.

The warm reception by President Xi reflects the cordial relationship they share, with Xi previously referring to Putin as his "dear friend." Their last encounter was in Moscow shortly after the ICC warrant's issuance when Xi invited Putin to the third Belt and Road forum in Beijing. During an evening banquet at the Great Hall of the People, both leaders displayed their amicable rapport as they shook hands.

Putin is set to address the Belt and Road forum, following Xi's opening speech, and later engage in bilateral talks with the Chinese President. While some Western nations have criticized China's partnership with Russia, Beijing asserts that such collaborations are in line with international norms, emphasizing its sovereign right to cooperate with any nation of its choice.

Putin has spoken favorably of the Belt and Road Forum, characterizing it as a platform for international cooperation that respects the principle of non-interference in the affairs of others. It is worth noting that this visit is categorized as a sideline engagement during an international conference, as per the Kremlin's official statement.

MORE UPDATES ON THE ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT

Tensions have reached a critical point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and various adversaries, including Lebanon, Hamas, and Hamas's abduction of hostages, bringing forth both diplomatic and military developments.

TENSIONS SURGE AT LEBANESE-ISRAELI BORDER

Israel's military foils an infiltration attempt near Lebanon as the Lebanese government warns of a potential new front at the border. In the most significant escalation at the Lebanese-Israeli frontier in 17 years, Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been exchanging fire since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7.

PENTAGON ORDERS ADDITIONAL TROOPS FOR WEST ASIA

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin orders approximately 2,000 more U.S. troops to prepare for deployment to the West Asia in support of Israel. The troops would provide advice and medical support if deployed, enhancing the Pentagon's ability to respond to the evolving security situation.

HAMAS COMMANDER KILLED

Hamas confirms the death of one of its top commanders, Ayman Nofal, in an Israeli strike on a refugee camp in Gaza. Nofal was a member of the General Military Council and a key figure in the Al Qassam Brigades. This is the first time Hamas has acknowledged the death of one of its military leaders.

HAMAS RELEASES HOSTAGE VIDEO

Hamas releases a video of Mia Schem, one of the hostages held in Gaza following the cross-border assault on Israel. The video shows Schem receiving medical treatment and expressing a desire to return to Israel, intensifying concerns about the ongoing conflict.

ISLAMIST TERRORISM RISING IN EUROPE, SAYS MACRON

Tirana (Albania) : Europe is seeing a rise of “Islamist terrorism” and all states are threatened, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday during a visit to Albania, after Islamist killings of a teacher in France and two Swedish football fans in Belgium.

Macron spoke a day after a 45-year-old attacker, who identified himself as a member of IS and claimed responsibility in a video posted online, killed the two Swedes fans in Brussels. In Paris, a French antiterrorism prosecutor said on Tuesday A 20-year-old man who fatally stabbed the scho- olteacher and wounded three others in the northern city of Arras on October 13 had pledged allegiance to IS.

“We saw it again yesterday in Brussels. All European states are vulnerable, and there is indeed a resurgence of Islamist terrorism,” Macron said after talks with Albanian PM Edi Rama, adding, “Here, we reiterate our solidarity with our Belgian friends.”

ZELENSKY: KYIV FIRED LONG-RANGE MISSILES FOR THE FIRST TIME

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday Kyiv has used US-provided long-range Army Tacticle Missile System (ATACMS) missiles. Kyiv has repeatedly asked the US administration for ATACMS, in the hope the missiles could strengthen Ukraine’s ability to attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases and rail networks in Russian-occupied territory, that could not be reached by short-range equipment. “Today, special thanks to the US. Our agreements with President Biden are being implemented. Very accurately — ATACMS missiles proved themselves,” he said in his nightly address. This marks the first officially confirmed usage of the ATACMS, that can fly up to 306km, in Ukraine.

IMRAN TO BE INDICTED IN CIPHER CASE ON OCT 23

Islamabad : A special court adjourned Tuesday the indictment of jailed former PM Imran Khan and his ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to October 23 in the cipher (diplomatic) telegram case. The hearing was held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala where Imran and Qureshi were handed copies of the FIA chargesheet. The indictment will mark the start of trial for Imran, the PTI chairman, and Qureshi, the party’s vicechairman. Speaking after the hearing, Imran’s lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat said the former PM and Qureshi were “again presented before the court in acage”. Earlier this month, the court had ordered the indictment on October 17.

POLISH OPPOSITION WINS PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY IN TIGHT VOTE

Polish pro-EU Opposition parties have won a parliamentary majority in a tight general election, the poll commission said on Tuesday announcing complete results.

The nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has been ruling for the last eight years, emerged first with 35.38% of the vote but is unlikely to form a majority.

The liberal Civic Coalition bloc finished second at 30.7%, but together with two minor parties, Third Way and Left, secured a majority of 248 lawmakers in the 460-seat Parliament’s lower chamber, the poll commission said.

The Opposition also has a majority in the upper house, securing 66 of the 100 seats in the Senate.

BELGIAN POLICE SHOOT ‘TERRORIST’ WHO MURDERED TWO SWEDES

Brussels police on Tuesday shot and fatally wounded an attacker accused of gunning down two Swedish football fans in what Belgium’s Prime Minister condemned as an act of “terrorist madness”.

The police opened fire on the suspect after he was cornered following an overnight manhunt in north central Brussels. He later died of his wounds, prosecutors said.

“The perpetrator of the Brussels terrorist attack was identified and has died,” Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden posted on social media.

IS links

Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said the suspect was of Tunisian origin and had been living in the country illegally. In a social media post after the killings, the gunman had boasted of being inspired by the Islamic State extremist group.

“The terrorist attack was committed with total cowardice, the attacker chose as a target two Swedish football fans,” Mr. de Croo said, adding that a third person was seriously wounded.

“Terrorism strikes indiscriminately,” he said. “It aims to sow fear, mistrust and division in our free societies. Terrorists must know that they will never achieve their goals.