Good morning! It’s Friday, February 28, 2025. Here’s your essential briefing on defense and global affairs to close out the week.
Gaza Ceasefire Deal Advances as Prisoners, Hostages Exchanged
Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners on Thursday after receiving the bodies of four Israeli hostages from Hamas.
The exchange, part of a fragile ceasefire deal, had been delayed due to Israel’s objections to Hamas’s elaborate handover ceremonies. The returned bodies were later identified, with two confirmed as members of the Nir Oz kibbutz.
Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank welcomed the released prisoners with celebrations, while Hamas declared that Israel must now move forward with negotiations for the ceasefire’s next phase.
Meanwhile, sporadic violence continues, with Israel conducting airstrikes in Gaza following a failed projectile launch from the territory.
International efforts to maintain and extend the ceasefire are underway, with US and Israeli representatives heading to talks in Doha or Cairo.
As Israel mourns its victims, the war’s toll continues to rise, with over 48,000 Palestinians reported killed in Gaza since the conflict began.
M23 Gains Ground as Deadly Explosions Shake Eastern DR Congo
Two explosions rocked the city of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following a meeting of the Rwanda-backed M23 group, killing at least 11 people and injuring around 60.
The blasts caused widespread panic, with pools of blood and abandoned shoes left at the scene.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi condemned the attack as a “heinous terrorist act” amid ongoing battles between the M23 and the Congolese army.
The source of the explosions remains unclear, though M23 leaders claim they were the target.
Witnesses described seeing a device fall from the sky, while others reported several bodies being taken to the morgue.
The attack occurred as M23 fighters continue their rapid territorial advances, seizing major cities like Bukavu and Goma, with little resistance from the Congolese army.
Meanwhile, regional tensions rise, with neighboring Burundi and Uganda deploying troops near the conflict zone.
The East African Community and the Southern African Development Community have appointed former leaders to mediate peace efforts and prevent a broader regional war.
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan End Decades-Long Land Conflict
Kyrgyzstan announced a landmark agreement to exchange disputed territories with Tajikistan, ending a decades-long border conflict that has fueled sporadic clashes since the fall of the Soviet Union.
The deal, which grants Kyrgyzstan 25 square kilometers of Tajik land in exchange for territory and improved access to shared water resources, marks a significant step toward regional stability.
As part of the agreement, some roads will become neutral and accessible to both nations, while oil wells and vital irrigation canals will be more easily shared.
Villages affected by the land swap will be relocated and, in some cases, rebuilt.
The move follows warming relations between Central Asian republics, with leaders of both nations discussing the issue at a UN summit in 2023.
The deal now awaits parliamentary approval and ratification by both presidents, marking a potential resolution to one of the region’s longest-running territorial disputes.
Trump Blocks NATO Path, Pressures Ukraine on Resources
US President Donald Trump ruled out American security guarantees or NATO membership for Ukraine ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to finalize a resource deal.
Trump emphasized that European allies should take responsibility for Ukraine’s security and that US involvement in Ukrainian land projects would serve as an indirect deterrent.
He also reiterated that NATO membership for Ukraine is off the table, aligning with Russia’s position that it was a key factor in the war.
The US recently sided with Russia at the UN, advocating for ending the war without prioritizing Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Trump expressed optimism about reaching a settlement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he described as “smart” and “cunning.”
Meanwhile, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are urging Trump to maintain US security support, with discussions ongoing about potential European troop deployments.
North Korea Launches Cruise Missiles, Warns Enemies
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test launch of strategic cruise missiles and ordered full nuclear readiness, emphasizing deterrence as the key to national defense.
The test, conducted over the sea off North Korea’s west coast, aimed to warn perceived enemies and showcase Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities.
South Korea confirmed tracking multiple cruise missiles launched on Wednesday, though these weapons do not fall under UN Security Council bans like ballistic missiles.
Despite heavy sanctions, North Korea has steadily advanced its strategic cruise missile program for nuclear delivery.
Kim’s actions coincided with visits to military schools, reinforcing ideological and tactical training for young officers.
While he did not name specific adversaries, his rhetoric has remained hostile toward the US and South Korea, even as former US President Donald Trump hinted at possible outreach.
Trump Hits China with New Tariffs Over Fentanyl Dispute
China accused the United States of using “tariff pressure and blackmail” after President Donald Trump announced an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports, citing continued fentanyl flows into the US.
The new tariff, set to take effect alongside a 25 percent duty on Mexican and Canadian goods, signals a hardening US stance on China.
Beijing pushed back, warning that tariffs would strain cooperation on drug control and harm global supply chains.
While China has some of the world’s strictest anti-drug policies, US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have accused Beijing of deliberately fueling the opioid crisis, comparing it to a “reverse Opium War.”
Despite growing tensions, China expressed hope for renewed trade negotiations. However, with both sides preparing for prolonged economic rivalry, analysts warn that a US-China trade deal remains unlikely.
Meanwhile, Beijing’s leadership is focused on insulating its economy from external shocks as Washington continues its economic decoupling strategy.
Sources: News Agencies, Reuters
