WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Apr. 25th – May 1st 2026

SUDAN

CIVILIANS PROVIDE FRONTLINE HUMANITARIAN AID

Many Sudanese civilians began providing essential services to war victims following the conflict between the regular army and the RSF. Volunteers serve as nurses at Al Nao Hospital in Omdourman, transport food and medicine, or help burying a total of 7,000 bodies since the war began. Meanwhile, journalists find much of the country inaccessible due to fighting.

UN HUMANITARIAN TRUCK DESTROYED BY DRONE

On April 26, 2026, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that a drone strike destroyed a humanitarian aid truck in North Darfur. The vehicle was transporting emergency shelter equipment on April 24 to the town of Tawila where 700,000 displaced persons are located. While the driver is safe, the loss of cargo leaves 1,314 families without shelter. The FAO states that 28.9 million people or 62% of the population face grave food insecurity. Famine was declared last year in El Facher and Kadougli.

STRUGGLE TO IDENTIFY AND BURY VICTIMS

ICRC Deputy Director José Luis Pozo Gil highlights the trauma of families with missing relatives. Forensic medicine chief Hisham Zein al Abdeen notes that authorities have exhumed 28,000 people since the army retook Khartoum 1 year ago. In a makeshift morgue, Ali Gebbai documents bodies before performing Muslim burial rites. In Omdourman, the morgue was completely destroyed by a strike. The ICRC records 11,000 missing persons. With morgues out of service, residents bury relatives in courtyards. Humanitarian workers estimate deaths may exceed 200,000 while massacres occur in Darfur and drone strikes continue across the country.

ARMY DRONE STRIKE KILLS DISPLACED CIVILIANS

On April 27, 2026, a Sudanese army drone strike on a displacement camp in Darfur killed at least 6 people and injured dozens. The strike occurred at dawn at the al Hamidiyah camp near Zalingei in Central Darfur. The group Emergency Lawyers documented the destruction of several homes within the camp which houses thousands, including numerous women and children. A medical source confirmed that 15 injured victims were transported to Zalingei hospital with some in critical condition. This event occurs as the conflict enters its 4th year and has displaced over 11 million people.

LETHAL DRONE ATTACKS HIT SOUTH AND KHARTOUM

On April 28, 2026, drone strikes in southern Sudan and the Khartoum region killed 11 people according to medical and security sources. In the town of Rabak, a strike targeted the Joint Forces, a coalition led by former Darfur rebel chiefs allied with the army, against the RSF. Witnesses reported that several vehicles carrying weapons and ammunition caught fire during the attack. Additionally, a drone strike hit a hospital and a gas station in Jebel Awliya, located 40 km south of Khartoum. This marks the first strike in the Khartoum region in several months since its recapture by the army in March 2025.

UN SANCTIONS COLOMBIANS FOR RECRUITING MERCENARIES IN SUDAN

On April 29, 2026, the UN Security Council added 3 Colombians and Al-Goney Hamdan Daglo to its Sudan war sanctions list. Al-Goney Hamdan Daglo is responsible for arms procurement for the RSF. Retired Italo Colombian Colonel Alvaro Quijano played a central role in recruiting and deploying 350 to 380 Colombian retired soldiers to provide tactical expertise to the RSF. Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, directress and owner of the security training academy “A4SI”, was sanctioned for her crucial role in this recruitment. Mateo Andres Duque Botero, director of Maine Global Corp, is accused of financing these fighters by managing payroll and currency exchanges through United States linked companies. Mercenaries played roles in battles of Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan, including the siege of El Facher. Sanctions include an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes.

SOUTH SUDAN

MILLIONS FACE STARVATION

Authorities announced that 7.9 million people or nearly 2/3 of the population face grave food insecurity in South Sudan. Fighting between government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and opposition militias following Riek Machar has intensified, particularly in Jonglei State. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Lily Albino Akol stated that high levels of food insecurity will occur during the lean season from April to July. UN representative Noala Skinner described the situation as very concerning noting that 73,000 people will face food catastrophe, which is a 160% increase from the previous year, while 2.2 million children under 5 suffer from malnutrition. Among these children, 700,000 are in danger of mortal malnutrition.

UN REDUCES PEACEKEEPING FORCE DESPITE VIOLENCE

On April 30, 2026, the UN Security Council extended the UNMISS peacekeeping mission until April 30, 2027 but reduced the authorized troop ceiling. The new limit is set at 12,500 soldiers and 2,100 police, down from 17,000 soldiers. US Ambassador Mike Waltz supported the reduction while expressing disappointment in President Salva Kiir for undermining peace commitments. Chinese representative Sun Lei and Russian Deputy Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva expressed concerns regarding the impact on civilian protection. This decision comes as fighting increases between State forces and armed groups. The mission has already faced staff shortages due to budget cuts. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor and 2 abstentions, from Russia and China.

CHAD

DISPUTE KILLS DOZENS IN THE EAST

On April 26, 2026, Government delegate Brahim Issa Galmaye announced that at least 42 people died during an intercommunal clash in eastern Chad. The conflict occurred on April 25 following a dispute over a well between 2 families in the Guéréda sub-prefecture of Wadi Fira province. Several ministers, local officials and militaries travelled to the site. Vice Prime Minister Limane Mahamat who is responsible for Territory Administration and Decentralization stated that the situation remains under control. This strategic transhumance region bordering Sudan is frequently affected by violence between sedentary indigenous farmers and nomadic Arab herders. The UN reports that nearly 1 million people have fled to Chad to escape the war in Sudan.

WATER RESOURCE VIOLENCE PERSISTS IN GUÉRÉDA

On April 28, 2026, State representative Brahim Issa Galmaye reported that at least 3 people died and 10 were injured in a new intercommunal confrontation. The armed clash occurred on April 27 in the Guéréda sub-prefecture of Wadi Fira province due to tensions regarding water sharing. This incident follows a previous conflict on April 25 that killed 42 in the same rural area. The violence allegedly involves the Tama and Zaghawa communities. Militaries deployed in the region bordering Sudan.

TANZANIA

TANZANIA CLOSES NDUTA REFUGEE CAMP

The Tanzanian government officially closed the Nduta refugee camp in the northwest of the country by forcibly repatriating thousands of Burundians. According to the NGO Coalition for Human Rights, 3,000 refugees were taken back to Burundi while others face relocation to the Nyarugusu camp. This action follows a tripartite agreement between the Tanzanian government, the Burundian government and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to return 100,000 refugees by June 2026. Authorities plan to close the Nyarugusu camp too, on June 30. The NGO reports that refugees faced movement restrictions, shelter demolitions and intimidation. 10 families from Nduta reportedly await transfer to Nyarugusu where 198 families already arrived through a contested selection process. A UNHCR spokesperson confirmed the closure but emphasized that all returns should be voluntary. The Burundian refugees originally fled civil war in 2005.

ETHIOPIA-ERITREA

EDITOR FREED FROM SECRET DETENTION

On April 21, 2026, Ethiopian editorial manager Million Beyene of the independent media Addis Standard was released following 2 weeks of secret detention. His employer Jakenn Publishing Plc reported that 3 men abducted him from the newsroom on April 15. While Million Beyene returned to his family and colleagues, Jakenn Publishing Plc condemned the intimidation and arbitrary detention by intelligence services. The government had revoked the publication’s license in February for allegedly harming national interests. Addis Standard covers conflicts in Amhara and Tigray where local militias recently turned against the federal government. 4 other Ethiopian journalists currently face the death penalty on terrorism charges.

SECRET RECORDING SPARKS NEW WAR FEARS IN TIGRAY

On April 29, 2026, an anonymous Ethiopian government source alleged that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is preparing for war against federal authorities. The government provided an audio recording of TPLF Executive Committee member Addis Alem Balem who addressed the diaspora on April 26. The source claims the recording proves the TPLF is forming alliances with Eritrea, Egypt and Sudanese Army Chief General al Burhan, to challenge the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. While Addis Alem Balem did not deny the recording, he accused the government of distorting his words and reaffirmed commitment to maintain peace. TPLF official Amanuel Assefa previously expressed a desire to speak with all parties involved in the conflict. The federal source also noted TPLF cooperation with Amhara Fano militias and the OLA in Oromia. Tensions remain high.

NIGERIA

ATTACK ON FOOTBALL FANS KILLS 29

On April 26, 2026, armed men killed at least 29 people in the community of Guyaku located in the Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State. According to residents, the attackers fired randomly at youths including young women gathered on a football field. The assailants also burned houses, motorcycles and places of worship including a church. While Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri blamed the jihadist group Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for killing 25 Christians. Law enforcement officials reported a lack of men and proper equipment to face the situation, as jihadist groups intensify attacks against civilians and military bases.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

NEW PARAMILITARY UNIT IN MINES

On April 27, 2026, the General Inspectorate of Mines announced the creation of a special paramilitary unit called the mining guard to protect mineral exploitation in the RDC. Authorities stated that this 100 million dollar program is funded through strategic partnerships with the United States and United Arab Emirates. The RDC produces 70% of the world’s cobalt and holds vast reserves of coltan, copper and lithium. The IGM plans to deploy 20,000 guards across 22 provinces by 2028 with the first contingent starting in December 2026. This initiative follows a peace agreement between the RDC and Rwanda, to end conflict with the M23 supported by Kigali. Paramilitaries from companies linked to American businessman Erik Prince already support the Congolese army. This force faced criticism, as it was denounced as aiming to ensure supplies for American industry while competing with China in the sector.

US SANCTIONS KABILA

On April 30, 2026, the United States sanctioned former President Joseph Kabila for destabilizing the DRC through support for the M23 and the Congo River Alliance (AFC). US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and State Department Spokesperson Thomas Pigott confirmed that Joseph Kabila is now blacklisted. Joseph Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019 after the assassination of his father Laurent-Désiré Kabila, was recently sentenced to death in absentia by Congolese justice. While current President Félix Tshisekedi leads the nation, Joseph Kabila allegedly appeared in the M23 stronghold of Goma last year.

MALI

DEFENSE MINISTER KILLED BY REBELS

On April 25, 2026, Tuareg rebels from the Front for the Liberation of Azawad and JNIM jihadists launched unprecedented coordinated attacks across Mali. In Kati, a suicide car bomb struck the residence of Defense Minister General Sadio Camara, killing him and his wife. Fighting spread to Bamako, Kidal, Gao and Sévaré. Government sources reported 16 civilian and military wounded while claiming the army killed over 200 rebels. JNIM proclaimed victory while FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane announced an agreement for the withdrawal of Russian Africa Corps contractors from Kidal. Malian authorities reported that Junta chief General Assimi Goïta was exfiltrated to a safe location as the FLA claimed total control of Kidal on April 26.

JIHADISTS BLOCKADE OF THE CAPITAL

On April 28, 2026, JNIM spokesperson Bina Diarra announced a road blockade on all axes leading to Bamako and Kati. The jihadist group prohibited travel to these cities while allowing those already inside to leave. On the same day, General Assimi Goïta reappeared publicly to visit wounded victims in a clinic after days of silence. Meanwhile in The Hague, the  ICC ordered 7.25 million euros in reparations for 65,202 victims of former Ansar Dine member Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz. He was convicted in 2024 for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

TUAREG REBELS ANNOUNCE PLANS TO CONQUER THE NORTH

On April 29, 2026, FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane declared the rebellion’s intention to take Gao, Timbuktu and Menaka. Speaking from Paris in France, he predicted the imminent fall of the military regime and demanded the definitive withdrawal of Russian forces from all Malian territory. Ramadane described the current cooperation with JNIM leader Iyad Ag Ghali as a necessary alliance against a common enemy. He also planned meetings with French and American officials. In response, the Malian army conducted 4 airstrikes in Kidal. A security source confirmed the strikes aimed rebel forces. Meanwhile, the Coalition of Forces for the Republic, including Imam Mahmoud Dicko, called for the junta’s resignation and an inclusive civilian transition.

STRATEGIC TESSALIT CAMP CAPTURED BY REBELS

On April 30, 2026, JNIM called for a wide common front including political parties and religious authorities to end the junta’s rule. The group stated that establishing Sharia law would be a priority. In Mauritania, HCR spokesperson Omar Doukali and Mayor Cheikhna Ould Abdallahi expressed concern as 300,000 Malian refugees reported army and Wagner exactions. On May 1, 2026, FLA and JNIM forces seized the strategic Tessalit camp near the Algerian border. A local official confirmed that the Malian army and Russian allies evacuated the base without combat. This followed the capture of Aguelhok camp. Russian Defense Minister Andreï Belooussov reaffirmed support for the junta. Malian military chief of staff had previously announced a repositioning in Anéfis.

LEBANON

ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 6 IN THE SOUTH, ISRAELI PM ORDERS INTENSIFIED STRIKES

On April 25, 2026, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed 4 people and wounded several others despite a truce. The attacks targeted a truck and a motorcycle in the locality of Yohmor al-Shaqeef within the Nabatiyé district. In Safad al-Battikh, 2 people died and 17 were wounded. Israeli warplanes hit Hadatha, Zepqin, Kherbet Selem and Sultanieh across the districts of Bint Jbeil, Tyre and Nabatiyé. Hezbollah Ali Fayad stated that the armed group reserves itself the right to respond to any Israeli aggression during the ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to strike Hezbollah with force following reported ceasefire violations.

BLOODIEST DAY SINCE TRUCE BEGAN

On April 26, 2026, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed 14 people including 2 women and 2 children. The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 7 villages including Kfar Tibnit which was subsequently struck. The ANI agency reported casualties during the attack. A mosque was destroyed in Zawtar el-Charqiyeh and smoke was reported in Nabatiyé el Faouqa.

CEASEFIRE STRAINED BY CONTINUED COMBAT

On April 27, 2026, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley killed 4 people and wounded 51 others. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the operations citing threats from Hezbollah drones and rockets. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned that 2026 could remain a year of fighting. Hezbollah chief Naïm Kassem accused Lebanese authorities of making humiliating concessions while his group claimed attacks in Kantara and in Bint Jbeil.

RESCUERS KILLED IN MAJDAL ZOUN

On April 28, 2026, Israeli strikes killed 8 people including 3 Civil Defense rescuers in Majdal Zoun. Lebanese soldiers were participating in a mission alongside a rescue Civil Defense team when they were targeted. Strikes also hit Jwaya where 1 person died and 15 were injured and Jibchit where 2 were killed. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the violation of international laws protecting civilians during rescue missions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the destruction of tunnels totaling 2 kilometers at the border. On that same day, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee ordered residents of 17 southern Lebanese villages to evacuate immediately toward Saïda. The locations sit beyond the 10 kilometres yellow demarcation line.

LEBANESE SOLDIER AND HIS BROTHER KILLED, NEW ISRAELI THREATS

On April 29, 2026, an Israeli strike in the Bint Jbeil sector killed a Lebanese soldier and his brother while they traveled by motorcycle. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir threatened to eliminate threats north of the Litani river and beyond the yellow demarcation line. During a visit to troops in southern Lebanon he stated that operations will continue to destroy infrastructure. What is more, a study by the WFP, FAO and the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture revealed that 1.24 million people in Lebanon face crisis levels of food insecurity. This is linked to the conflict and economic pressures. Over 1 million people have been displaced since the war began

17 KILLED IN SOUTHERN STRIKES

On April 30, 2026, new Israeli strikes killed 17 including a Lebanese soldier and family members killed at home in Nabatiyé. A drone strike targeted a crowd at the Zebdine cemetery. The US Embassy in Beirut called for a direct meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hezbollah official Ibrahim Moussawi criticized ceasefire clauses allowing Israeli self-defense principle as a dangerous precedent.

STRIKES IN HABBOUSH AND ZRARIYE KILL 12

On May 1, 2026, Israeli strikes killed 12 people in southern Lebanon including 1 child. 8 deaths occurred in Habboush less than 1 hour after an evacuation warning while 4 people including 2 women died in Zrariyé. The ANI agency reported strikes in Tyr and systematic destruction of school and religious facilities in Yaroun and Shamaa. Red Cross official Xavier Castellanos called the targeting of rescuers unacceptable as 103 have died since March 2. Hezbollah official Ali Fayad stated the ceasefire extension is meaningless if Israeli hostile acts continue.

SYRIA

TRIAL OF AL-ASSAD’S OFFICIALS OPENS

On April 26, 2026, a court in Syria held the first hearing in the trial of former President Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle. Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan opened proceedings for transitional justice regarding abuses committed during the civil war that began in 2011. While Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher al-Assad fled to Moscow in December 2024 and are being tried in absentia, their cousin Atef Najib appeared in court in handcuffs. Atef Najib served as the former head of political security in Deraa and is accused of leading a campaign of repression. According to a judicial source, other figures slated for trial include Wassim al-Assad, another cousin of the former president, and Amjad Youssef, a suspect in a 2013 massacre who was arrested a few days before. The court also intends to prosecute pilots involved in bombing Syrian cities.

GENERAL ARRESTED FOR 2013 CHEMICAL ATTACK

On April 29, 2026, Syrian Minister of Interior Anas al-Khattab announced the arrest of former General Adnan Abboud Hilweh. The officer is being held in a counter-terrorism department prison for his role in the 2013 sarin gas attack in Eastern Ghouta. US intelligence reports indicate the massacre killed more than 1,000 people. Although the government of Bashar el-Assad denied involvement at the time, Adnan Abboud Hilweh and 2 other generals are accused of denying the right to life to those people. This arrest follows the commitment of new Syrian authorities to seek justice for atrocities committed during the 13 year civil war which has caused over 500,000 deaths.

FAMILIES SEEK RELEASE OF PRISONERS IN ISRAEL

On May 1, 2026, families in the Syrian village of Beit Jinn reported that approximately 50 people have been captured during Israeli incursions since December 2024. Residents described the kidnapping of their sons by Israeli forces during operations such as the one on June 12. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that individuals are apprehended when there is suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities. One of them, Mohammad Mahmoud al-Sayed, was held for 65 days before being released. However, a report from Human Rights Watch claims Israeli forces have established military positions inside Syria and are conducting arbitrary arrests of civilians. Qouneitra province official Mohammad al-Saïd reported that Israel has occupied 240 square kilometers of Syrian territory.

SHIA RELIGIOUS LEADER ASSASSINATED NEAR DAMASCUS

On May 1, 2026, a bomb explosion near the Sayyeda Zeinab shrine killed Shia imam Farhan Hassan al-Mansour. The Syrian Ministry of Interior described the assassination as a dangerous escalation aimed at destabilizing society and promised that the crime would not go unpunished. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a bomb was thrown at the man’s car. The Shia minority, numbering approximately 300,000 people, has expressed fear since the Sunni coalition took power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. While President Ahmad al-Chareh has pledged to protect minorities, previous violence includes massacres of Alawites in March 2025 and clashes with Druze fighters in July 2025. Another Shia dignitary was killed in the Homs region in July 2025. The Ministry of Interior confirmed an investigation is currently underway to identify those responsible for the attack.

PALESTINE

13 KILLED IN GAZA STRIKES

On April 24, 2026, Israeli strikes killed 13 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip including several children. 8 people died in an attack on a police vehicle in Al Mawassi, in the south of the territory, according to the Civil Defense. Hospitals Al Chifa and Nasser confirmed the deaths of 9 men aged 22 to 59 years, a 43 year old woman and 2 of her children aged 4 and 11. A third attack targeted a police patrol in Gaza City, killing 2 officers and wounding 2 others. The Israeli army claimed to have targeted armed Hamas terrorists.

NEIGHBORHOOD THREATENED BY TOURISM PROJECT

On April 25, 2026, residents of the al Boustan neighborhood in East Jerusalem faced imminent displacement for an archaeological site extension. 97 year old resident and his family reported their home is slated for demolition. Israeli parliament member Ahmed Tibi denounced the forced judaization of Silwan district while municipal official Laura Wharton noted that settler homes are never targeted. A resident began demolishing his own home to avoid municipal costs.

DRONE STRIKE AND GUNFIRE KILL 3 IN GAZA, FATAH PARTY LEADS MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

On April 26, 2026, the Gaza Civil Defense reported that 3 people including a woman were killed by Israeli forces. 2 men died when an Israeli drone targeted a group of civilians near the Kuwait roundabout in the Zeitoun district of Gaza City. Additionally, a 40 year old woman was shot dead by Israeli forces in Khan Younis and her body was taken to Nasser hospital. While the Israeli army stated they were verifying reports, the health ministry noted that at least 811 Palestinians have died since the October 2025 truce. Meanwhile, the Fatah party led by President Mahmoud Abbas emerged as the winner in several West Bank municipal elections. Results from the Central Election Commission showed Fatah victories in Hebron, Tulkarem and Salfit. Overall participation reached 53.4% across 183 municipalities.

SUPREME COURT ORDERS SANCTIONS FOR DRAFT DODGERS

On April 26, 2026, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the state to impose financial sanctions on ultra orthodox Jews refusing mandatory military service. The court ruled that benefits related to local taxes, public transport and daycares must be cut for those ignoring conscription calls. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously delayed such legislation to maintain his coalition. Shass party leader Arié Dery described the decision as a grave attack on the foundations of the Jewish people. Approximately 66,000 men of serving age are currently exempted.

WATER USED AS PUNITIVE WEAPON IN GAZA

On April 28, 2026, a Doctors Without Borders report accused Israeli authorities of using water as a punitive weapon against the Gaza population. Emergency manager Claire San Filippo stated that 90% of water infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged since the conflict began in 2023. The organization documented strikes on identified water trucks and wells which killed civilians trying to access water. The NGO claimed that a lack of clean water is fueling the spread of respiratory and skin diseases.

JORDAN WELCOMES SICK CHILDREN FROM GAZA

On April 28, 2026, a group of 81 Palestinian children and 108 family members arrived in Jordan to receive medical care. The Jordanian army confirmed this is the 26th group welcomed under a medical corridor initiative. Over 716 children have been treated for fractures, cancer and deep wounds since March 2025. The Jordanian army continues to operate a field hospital in Gaza which has received hundreds of patients daily.

MOSSAD CHIEF CELEBRATES CLANDESTINE OPERATIONS, NEW STRIKES IN GAZA

On April 28, 2026, Mossad director David Barnea described intelligence operations in Iran and Lebanon as revolutionary. During an award ceremony, he highlighted the clandestine infiltration of agents deep into Tehran and the neutralization of high ranking officials. Barnea emphasized close cooperation with the Israeli army to acquire strategic and tactical secrets. He stated that the agency will continue to act with force against any perceived threats. On that day, Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed 5 people including a Hamas commander and a child. The Civil Defense reported that Hamas commander Iyad al Shanbari and his son Salah were among people killed in a drone strike on a car in the al Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City. Another 9 year old boy died east of Khan Younis following an attack described as combined drone strike and artillery fire. The Israeli army claimed to target a suspect representing an immediate threat.

PRESIDENT HERZOG FACILITATES PARDON TALKS ABOUT NETANYAHU’S CORRUPTION CASE

On April 28, 2026, Israeli President Isaac Herzog invited lawyers for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and state prosecutors for discussions regarding a pardon request. Legal advisor Michal Tsuk Shafir sent invitations to defense attorney Amit Haddad, Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara and State Prosecutor Amit Aisman. Netanyahu requested the pardon in November with the support of Donald Trump. The Prime Minister is the first in Israeli history to be tried for corruption while in office.

ULTRA ORTHODOX PROTESTERS STORM POLICE CHIEF HOME

On April 28, 2026, ultra orthodox Jews protesting military conscription stormed the garden of Military Police Chief Yuval Yamin in Ashkelon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israël Katz condemned the violent intrusion where the general and his family were forced to barricade themselves inside. The protest followed a Supreme Court ruling to reduce financial benefits for students in talmudic institutes who refuse the draft. The court ruled that the state must prosecute those who fail to respond to conscription orders.

PALESTINIAN KILLED DURING MILITARY RAID IN SILWAD

On April 29, 2026, Israeli forces killed 37 year old Abdel Halim Hammad during a military raid in Silwad, east of Ramallah. The official Wafa agency reported the victim was shot inside his home. The Israeli army claimed that 2 terrorists attacked soldiers, resulting in 1 death while the other was apprehended. Palestinian authorities noted that Israel has retained the body of the victim whose brother was also killed by Israeli forces in 2021.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING FRENCH NUN

On April 29, 2026, Israeli police arrested a 36 year old man for the violent assault of a French nun on Mount Sion. Olivier Poquillon, director of the French Biblical and Archaeological School, reported that the 48 year old researcher was thrown against a stone and kicked while on the ground. The French Consulate in Jerusalem demanded justice for the nationalist motivated crime. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and European diplomats condemned the attack as part of a worrying trend of hostility against the Christian community.

TEENAGER SHOT DEAD BY ISRAELI FORCES IN HEBRON

On April 29, 2026, the Palestinian Red Cross reported that Israeli forces shot and killed a teenager identified as Abdel Fattah al Khayyat in Hebron. While the Red Cross stated the victim was 14 years old, the health ministry gave his age as 16. Another person was wounded by gunfire during the same raid. The Israeli army stated it was verifying the incident in the West Bank where at least 1,068 Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023.

ISRAELI NAVY ARRESTS GAZA FLOTILLA ACTIVISTS

On April 30, 2026, the Israeli army arrested approximately 175 militants from the Global Sumud flotilla off the coast of Greece. Organizers reported that 22 of 58 boats were boarded by military forces using lasers and semi automatic weapons while off the coast of Crete. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a video claiming the activists were treated peacefully while heading toward Israel. The flotilla, which included French nationals, departed from Marseille, Barcelona and Syracuse to protest the blockade in effect since 2007.

UN COMMITTEE DENOUNCES DISCRIMINATORY DEATH PENALTY LAW

On May 1, 2026, a UN committee called for the immediate repeal of a new Israeli law establishing the death penalty for terrorists. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination stated the law specifically targets Palestinians and constitutes racial segregation. The legislation provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment for those causing death to Israeli citizens with the intent to harm the state. The committee urged other countries to ensure their resources do not support discriminatory practices in the occupied territories.

IRAN-GULF-ISRAEL-US

US-KUWAITI JOURNALIST RELEASED AFTER 52 DAYS

On April 25, 2026, a US State Department official announced the safe departure of US-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin from Kuwait. Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, an independent reporter who previously worked for the New York Times, Al Jazeera English and PBS, had been detained since March 3. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported his acquittal after he faced charges of spreading false information. One of his social media posts featured a video of a US combat plane accidentally shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses. Hundreds of individuals have been arrested throughout the Gulf for sharing war images since hostilities between the US, Israel and Iran erupted. Although a ceasefire took effect on April 8, many countries continue to prohibit the filming of conflict-related damage.

ALLEGED MOSSAD AGENT EXECUTED IN IRAN

On April 25, 2026, the Iranian judiciary executed Erfan Kiani for allegedly collaborating with the Israeli Mossad. Erfan Kiani was identified by the Mizan Online site as a primary protagonist in the January 2026 protests, in Isfahan province. He was convicted of arson, attacking agents, using weapons and spreading fear among the population. This hanging brings to 9 the total number of people executed since March 19 for crimes related to the January events. Authorities claim the protests were riots orchestrated by the US and Israel.

BAHRAIN STRIPS 69 PEOPLE OF NATIONALITY

On April 27, 2026, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior stripped 69 people of their nationality for supporting Iran. The measure also affected dependents of the named individuals who were accused of supporting Iranian hostile acts. The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy noted this represents the first massive wave of revocations since 2019. Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have also increased repression of networks linked to Tehran. Human Rights Watch reported that dozens of people were arrested for treason since the regional war began.

LIFE SENTENCES FOR COLLUSION WITH IRAN

On April 28, 2026, the Bahraini General Prosecutor’s Office sentenced 5 people to life imprisonment for preparing terrorist acts with Iran. The group, consisting of 2 Afghans and 3 Bahrainis, was found guilty of monitoring and photographing sensitive sites of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. A 6th Bahraini defendant was acquitted during the proceedings. Additionally, 25 other people received prison sentences between 1 and 10 years for supporting Iranian attacks and sharing sensitive images.

MASS ARRESTS AND EXECUTIONS IN IRAN, 3 POLICE OFFICERS KILLED

On April 29, 2026, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk announced that 21 people were executed and over 4,000 arrested in Iran since the conflict began. The agency reported that 9 executions were linked to the January protests, 10 to opposition groups and 2 to espionage. Detainees have reportedly faced torture, forced disappearances and forced confessions. The report highlighted the transfer of human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh to an unknown location. Prisons like the one in Chabahar have faced deadly riots over severe shortages of food, water and medicine. On the same day, armed individuals killed 3 police officers during a patrol in Zahedan. The Iranian news agency Fars reported that the police of Sistan-Baluchistan qualified the shooting as a terrorist attack. In a separate incident in Iranchahr, police killed 2 people and wounded 2 others after discovering a Kalashnikov assault rifle and ammunition in their vehicle. Zahedan is the capital of a region bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan where Iranian forces frequently clash with Baluch rebels and Sunni groups. The jihadist group Jaish al-Adl has previously claimed responsibility for attacks against judicial buildings in the area.

UN TO MONITOR IRANIAN TELECOMMUNICATION ATTACKS

On May 1, 2026, the UN International Telecommunication Union agreed to monitor Iranian attacks against civilian infrastructures. The ITU adopted a project to assess disruptions in Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. These nations accused Iran of illegal and deliberate targeting of communication technologies since the conflict began. While Iran requested UN assistance to reconstruct its own damaged broadcasting sectors, the council reached no consensus on providing aid to Tehran.

AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN

AFGHAN GOVERNMENT REPORTS CASUALTIES FROM PAKISTANI SHELLING

On April 27, 2026, Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat announced that Pakistani military fire killed 7 civilians and wounded 85 others in Kunar province. The strikes involving mortar shells and rockets hit residential areas and the university in Asadabad. Among the victims were 30 students along with women and children. Kunar public health director Muzaffar Mukhlis confirmed all victims were civilians. Najibullah Hanif, director of information and culture for Kunar province, said that the university district was specifically targeted. In Paktika province, residents Mushtaq Wazir and Suhbat Katwazi reported 1 death in Rabot village after a mortar hit a house. The Pakistani Ministry of Information denied attacking residential zones.

EASTERN EUROPE

ASSOCIATIONS OPPOSE RELEASE OF RATKO MLADIC

On April 25, 2026, several Bosnian victims’ associations asked international justice to refuse the transfer of former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic to Serbia. The 84 year old general, who is serving a life sentence for genocide and crimes against humanity at the UN detention center in The Hague, reportedly suffered a stroke on April 10. His son Darko Mladic stated that a formal request for provisional release was filed by his lawyer to the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals presided by Graciela Gatti Santana. The Mothers of Srebrenica organization and 4 other associations argued that allowing him to leave international supervision would be a deep injustice and a humiliation for victims. Ratko Mladic was arrested in 2011 after 16 years on the run for his role in the 1992-1995 war which killed nearly 100,000 people including 8,000 men and teenagers systematically murdered in Srebrenica.

RUSSIAN STRIKES KILL 5 IN DNIPRO & UKRAINIAN STRIKE KILLS 1 IN BELGOROD

On April 25, 2026, Russian strikes in the industrial city of Dnipro killed at least 5 people and wounded 34 others. Head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration Oleksandr Ganja reported that victims include a 9 year old boy and a 17 year old girl. An apartment building was heavily damaged during the attacks. In the Zaporijjia region, head of the administration Ivan Fedorov announced that a Russian drone strike on a civil minibus killed 1 person and wounded 4 others. Separately, Moscow authorities reported 1 death and 3 injuries: in the Belgorod region, Governor Viatcheslav Gladkov reported that a Ukrainian drone strike on a car killed a woman and wounded others.

BOMBARDMENTS CONTINUE, MORE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES

On April 26, 2026, a Ukrainian drone attack in the Crimean port of Sevastopol killed 1 man and wounded 3 others. Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev confirmed that the victim, born in 1983, was killed while inside a vehicle. The governor reported damage to a dance school and several houses across the city. This operation follows a day of intense Russian strikes in Dnipro where Ukrainian authorities recorded at least 8 deaths. Meanwhile, new Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least 3 people. In Soumy province, head of the local military administration Oleg Grygorov reported that drones killed 2 men aged 48 and 72 in Bilopillia. Head of the Dnipropetrovsk military administration Olexandre Ganja confirmed 1 death and 4 injuries from missile and drone fire. Mayor Boris Filatov described Dnipro as a target of vast attacks lasting over 20 hours. Romanian authorities also confirmed a Russian drone crashed near the border.

EMPLOYEE KILLED AT NUCLEAR PLANT

On April 27, 2026, a Ukrainian drone strike killed an employee at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Russian administrators of the occupied site identified the victim as a driver working in the transport workshop. While the International Atomic Energy Agency continues to warn against military actions that could trigger a nuclear accident, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of endangering the facility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of nuclear terrorism on the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident.

DEADLY CROSS BORDER STRIKES KILL CIVILIANS

On April 28, 2026, military operations on both sides of the border resulted in at least 6 deaths and several injuries. In Russia, Belgorod Governor Viatcheslav Gladkov reported that Ukrainian drone strikes killed 3 civilians including 1 man in Voznessenovka and a couple in Bobrava while 3 others were wounded. Regional authorities also confirmed 1 man died in the Briansk region. A Ukrainian strike targeted an oil refinery in Touapsé causing a fire and leading Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratiev to order the evacuation of nearby streets. In Ukraine, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration Oleksandr Ganja confirmed that a Russian strike killed a 40 year old man and wounded 5 others in Kryvyï Rig. Local authorities also reported that a 70 year old man died in Tchouguïv during a bombardment of a residential neighborhood. Additionally, strong explosions were recorded in the center of Kyiv during a rare daytime attack.

2 TEENAGERS KILLED BY DRONE IN BELGOROD

On May 1, 2026, a Ukrainian drone strike killed 2 teenagers in the Russian village of Voltchya Alexandrovka. Governor Viatcheslav Gladkov stated that the drone targeted a motorcycle carrying 2 young men aged 18 and 15 who died because of the explosion. This incident occurred in the Belgorod region as Russia continues to bomb Ukrainian essential infrastructure. Efforts for a diplomatic solution under US mediation remain stalled.

MYANMAR

CHINA STRENGTHENS TIES WITH MYANMAR

On April 26, 2026, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with President Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw to promise firm support for “national sovereignty and security”. This visit served to present Beijing as a reliable partner in contrast to the unpredictability and customs fees of US President Donald Trump. Wang Yi stated that China supports and wishes to strengthen friendship. Min Aung Hlaing was invested as president in early April following controversial legislative elections, held in December and January.

AUNG SAN SUU KYI MOVED TO HOUSE ARREST

On April 30, 2026, President Min Aung Hlaing ordered that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi be moved from prison to house arrest for the remainder of her sentence. The 80 year old Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been detained for 5 years following the 2021 coup. Suu Kyi currently serves a 27 year sentence. Her lawyers François Zimeray and Catalina de la Sota noted she remains unjustly deprived of liberty. While the specific location remains secret, sources suggest she may be isolated in Naypyidaw.

INDIA

INTERETHNIC VIOLENCE CLAIMS 3 LIVES IN MANIPUR

On April 25, 2026, police announced that 3 people were killed by gunfire during interethnic clashes in Mullam village, Ukhrul region, Manipur state. These deaths occurred within a long-term conflict between the majority Meitei Hindu community and the Kuki Christian minority. The groups are disputing access to land and public jobs. Security measures were increased in the sector to prevent further escalation. This incident follows violence on April 7, where 4 people were killed, including 2 Meitei children killed in an attack attributed to a Kuki group. In retaliation, a Meitei crowd attacked a paramilitary camp, leading to at least 2 deaths and 5 injuries when units opened fire. Human rights organizations accuse local officials of inflaming tensions for political purposes.

CHINA

SURVEILLANCE OF UYGHUR STUDENTS

On April 30, 2026, reports revealed that the Chinese Communist Party generalizes the recruitment of Uyghurs into university administrative roles to allegedly monitor minority students discretely. This alleged practice uses these employees as internal relays to observe, infiltrate and report on the behaviors and ideas of Uyghur students to prevent the emergence of an autonomous intellectual elite. In commercial sectors like restaurants and shops, local police implement a strategy of cultural invisibilization by removing visual Uyghur signs or misattributing them to other groups like Kazakhs. This dual approach encourages a controlled economic presence while systematically neutralizing opinion leaders and community figures.

COLOMBIA

UPWARD REVISION OF CIVILIAN DEATHS ASCRIBED TO MILITARY

On April 28, 2026, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) announced it raised the count of victims to 7,837 civilians, presented as guerrillas, and murdered by the army. JEP President Alejandro Ramelli explained that the analysis period was extended to cover 1990 to 2016 following new evidence. Colombian President Gustavo Petro described these acts as a crime against humanity. Several military members confessed murdering young people and to pass them off as insurgents under pressure from superiors. Most executions occurred during the administration of former President Alvaro Uribe between 2002 and 2008. The JEP provides alternative sentences for those who reveal the truth and provide reparations. In December 2025, 12 retired military members received alternative sentences for the murder and disappearance of civilians.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & RELATIONS

SYRIAN SOLDIER IMPRISONED IN PARIS FOR COMPLICITY IN ATROCITIES

On April 24, 2026, a 34 year old Syrian man who lived in France for several years was imprisoned in Paris for complicity in crimes against humanity. The National Antiterrorist Prosecutor Office charged him with willful attacks on life, torture and forced disappearances while serving in the army of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The investigation by Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity (OCLCH) was triggered by a report from French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA).

KIM JONG UN REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR RUSSIA

On April 27, 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to help Russia achieve victory in its invasion of Ukraine, which he called a “holy war”. During a meeting in Pyongyang, Russian Defense Minister Andreï Belooussov and Kim Jong Un discussed strengthening military ties and signing a cooperation plan for the 2027 to 2031 period. Kim Jong Un stated that North Korea will fully support Russian policies. Both men joined Russian Duma President Viatcheslav Volodine to inaugurate a memorial for North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine. South Korea estimates that 2,000 North Korean soldiers have died in the conflict. Experts indicate that Pyongyang provides missiles, munitions and thousands of troops in exchange for Russian financial aid, food and military technology. The Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG) reported that North Korea has significantly intensified executions for political and cultural offenses. The non-governmental organization analyzed 144 cases and found that death sentences more than doubled from 2020. Authorities increasingly target individuals for watching foreign media and South Korean movies, music and television. Condemnations related to foreign culture, religion and “superstition” rose by 250% during this period. TJWG suggested that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is using firing squads and public executions to suppress internal dissent. Reports indicate that 4 political prison camps currently hold 65,000 people subjected to forced labor. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights previously noted that North Korean conditions have worsened over the last decade. Pyongyang rejected these allegations, claiming they are intended to harm the State.

ICC ORDERS MILLIONS IN REPARATIONS FOR VICTIMS OF MALI JIHADIST

On April 28, 2026, the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered 7.25 million euros in reparations for victims of former jihadist leader Al Hassan. Judge Kimberly Prost announced that 65,202 eligible victims will receive community collective measures, psychological support and individual reintegration programs. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz served in the Ansar Dine armed group and Islamic police chief in Timbuktu between April 2012 and January 2013. He was convicted in 2024 of war crimes and crimes against humanity including cruel treatment, torture and religious persecution. Due to his financial status, the Fund for Victims will pay the reparations. While acquitted of sexual slavery and forced marriage, he is serving 10 years in prison with release set for March 2027. The court noted that women and girls suffered significant moral and material harm under his administration.

US SUPREME COURT DEBATES CORPORATE LIABILITY FOR CHINESE REPRESSION

On April 28, 2026, the United States Supreme Court debated if companies can be sued for helping foreign governments violate human rights. The case focuses on Cisco Systems, which is accused of providing “Golden Shield” surveillance technology to help Chinese officials track and torture the Falun Gong movement. Cisco lawyer Kannon Shanmugam and government representative Curtis Gannon argued that only Congress can authorize such lawsuits and warned of negative foreign policy impacts. Plaintiffs lawyer Paul Hoffman countered that Cisco knowingly identified victims for extrajudicial executions.

HUNDREDS OF ETHIOPIAN MIGRANTS PERISH ON DEADLY ROUTE THROUGH DJIBOUTI

On April 29, 2026, humanitarian reports described the deadly journey of Ethiopian migrants traveling through Djibouti to reach the Gulf. A migrating man recounted fleeing war in the Amhara region only to be arrested by Yemeni coast guards and returned to the desert. Another migrant woman described smugglers beating travelers and abandoning exhausted women in the desert. IOM reported hundreds of deaths during those journeys.

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM AT HISTORIC LOW IN 2026

On April 30, 2026, Reporters Without Borders warned that global press freedom has reached its lowest level in a quarter century. RSF Editorial Director Anne Bocandé reported that 94 countries face difficult or very serious conditions in that regard. Norway ranks 1st while the United States fell to 64th place due to systematic attacks by US President Donald Trump. Niger saw the steepest annual drop to 120th. Saudi Arabia ranks 176th following the execution of Turki al-Jasser. Syria improved to 141st after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Eritrea is last at 180th. Bocandé noted that national security laws are used to criminalize journalists like El Periodico founder José Rubén Zamora in Guatemala. She emphasized that laws increasingly treat journalism as a crime instead of protecting it.

PENTAGON RECRUITS TECH GIANTS FOR CLASSIFIED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS

On May 1, 2026, the United States Department of Defense signed agreements with 7 tech companies for artificial intelligence models used in classified operations. The Pentagon selected SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft and Amazon AWS while excluding Anthropic due to legal disputes. US President Donald Trump previously sought a deal with Anthropic, but US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth recently described its CEO Dario Amodei as an ideological madman. The agreements ensure that humans maintain supervision over all lethal strike decisions. Pete Hegseth clarified that IA does not make lethal decisions. The models will assist in data synthesis and situational awareness for high confidentiality level 6 and 7 operations. Over 600 Google employees signed a letter protesting the military application of these technologies. Amazon AWS spokesperson confirmed the partnership will help modernize defence missions through Nemotron and other specialized models.