Good morning! It’s Wednesday, January 22, 2025, and we’re back with your midweek briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s making headlines today.
Israeli Forces Raid West Bank’s Jenin, Targeting Militants in Refugee Camp
Gunfire and explosions rocked Jenin in the West Bank for a second day as Israeli forces reportedly carried out a large-scale raid, dubbed “Iron Wall,” on Wednesday.
The operation has left at least ten Palestinians dead, according to local health officials, and resulted in the detention of around 20 people from nearby villages.
Israeli authorities stated the raid targets militants responsible for thousands of attacks since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
Jenin’s roads have been bulldozed, and explosions were heard in its refugee camp, known as a hub for militancy.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the operation as a “decisive” effort to eliminate terrorist activity and prevent the camp from becoming a terror stronghold.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked the operation to broader efforts against Iranian-backed groups across the region.
The raid has drawn international concern, with the UN and France urging restraint amid accusations of “collective punishment” from the Palestinian Authority.
Violence in the West Bank has surged since the Gaza war, leaving hundreds dead and fueling regional tensions.
Five Injured in Tel Aviv Knife Attack; Assailant Killed by Security
A foreign attacker recently stabbed five people in Tel Aviv’s busy nightlife district before being shot dead by security forces.
The attack left one victim in critical condition, prompting a swift medical response.
Police identified the assailant as a 28-year-old foreigner who had entered the country through Ben Gurion Airport after passing security checks.
The Shin Bet internal security agency confirmed it would investigate the incident further.
Palestinian militant group Hamas praised the attack, calling it a “heroic operation,” though it did not claim responsibility.
This marks the second stabbing attack in Tel Aviv within four days, heightening concerns over security in the area.
M23 Rebels Seize Key Town Minova, Threatening DRC’s Goma
The M23 rebel group, with reported backing from the Rwandan Army, has seized the trading hub of Minova in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), further threatening the regional capital, Goma.
The Congolese Army acknowledged the “breakthrough” as the rebels continued their rapid advances, leaving hundreds of thousands displaced in the surrounding areas.
Minova, a town of 65,000, fell early Tuesday, forcing residents to flee across Lake Kivu in overloaded boats, while fighting edges closer to Goma, now just 20 kilometers away.
Explosions have been heard in the city, raising fears of a repeat of 2012, when M23 briefly captured Goma.
Humanitarian groups report an influx of displaced families arriving at camps near Goma, where supplies are running thin.
Since January, over 230,000 people have fled violence in eastern DRC, which the UN has described as one of the world’s most alarming crises.
Russian Forces Push into Chasiv Yar as Civilians Struggle to Survive
Around 200 Ukrainian civilians, including the elderly, disabled, and their caregivers, remain trapped in Chasiv Yar, a frontline town in the eastern Donetsk region under relentless Russian assault.
Once home to 12,000 people, the town has been largely destroyed since attacks began in 2022.
Ukrainian authorities say it’s now impossible to provide shelter or distribute aid due to heavy hostilities and the use of enemy drones.
Chasiv Yar holds strategic importance for Russia as it lies near key Ukrainian military hubs like Kramatorsk.
Ukrainian forces still hold a former brick factory in the town, but Russian troops are advancing with small, mobile assault groups that make them harder to counter.
Despite the dire conditions, mild weather is helping those still in the area survive.
Rebels Attack Soldiers Escorting UN Team in Southern Philippines
A deadly ambush by former Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines has left two soldiers dead and 12 wounded during a mission to escort UN staff visiting a development project in Basilan.
The attackers, linked to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), struck despite a peace treaty signed over a decade ago that granted self-rule to the Bangsamoro region.
While the treaty marked progress, the full decommissioning of MILF fighters remains unfinished.
Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, a former MILF leader, expressed regret over the incident, calling for calm and reaffirming his commitment to the peace process.
Philippine Army commander Lieutenant General Roy Galido condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The ambush has reignited tensions in a region still navigating the delicate balance between peace and security.
Pentagon Sends 1,500 Troops to Border for Migrant Flights and Barriers
The Pentagon is sending 1,500 active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border under orders from President Donald Trump.
The deployment includes Soldiers, Marines, helicopters, and intelligence analysts tasked with flying out detained migrants and constructing additional barriers.
This move is part of Trump’s push to curb illegal immigration and crack down on border crossings, with the military playing a larger role in his aggressive border policies.
The troops will work alongside existing operations like Joint Task Force North and Operation Lone Star, which have already seen thousands of soldiers and National Guardsmen deployed to assist Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
However, Trump’s executive order raises concerns among legal experts and former defense officials due to its vague language suggesting a military-led “repelling of invasions,” which they say could blur the lines between law enforcement and military action.
The deployment highlights ongoing challenges at the southern border, with massive displacement, humanitarian issues, and debates over the military’s role in domestic operations.
Trump Ends Affirmative Action in Federal Contracts, Targets DEI Programs
The Trump administration has taken swift action to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government.
A new executive order has revoked affirmative action policies in federal contracting, put DEI staff on the path to layoffs, and eliminated related training, goals, and initiatives.
Trump argues these programs promote “discrimination” and has pledged a return to merit-based hiring.
The sweeping order, which builds on Trump’s prior efforts to curtail DEI practices, also targets federal grants and benefits programs that prioritize underserved communities.
Federal agencies must quickly dismantle DEI offices, cancel related contracts, and report on compliance.
Critics worry about the vague language in the order, which some say hints at larger-scale legal and policy changes.
While implementation may take years, this move represents a dramatic shift in federal policy with wide-reaching implications for the workforce and government spending.
Sources: BBC, News Agencies
