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Intensified Israeli Military Operation in West Bank Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict
Intensified Israeli Military Operation in West Bank Amid Ongoing Gaza Conflict....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Israel continues its large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank for a fourth consecutive day, as fierce fighting persists in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Clashes and explosions erupted in the northern city of Jenin, where the Israeli military reported the killing of two Palestinians who were allegedly preparing to carry out bombings in the southern West Bank.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which launched an attack on Israel on October 7, has characterized the situation as a “heroic operation” during a critical time for Israeli forces. Similarly, Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas with a strong presence in the northern West Bank, congratulated those involved in what they referred to as a “coordinated attack.”
The Israeli army described an explosion at a petrol station in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc as an “attempted car bombing by a terrorist” who was subsequently killed. An army officer sustained moderate injuries, while a reservist officer responsible for nearby community security suffered minor injuries.
In another incident, the head of security in the Israeli settlement of Karmei Zur chased a “terrorist” who had entered the settlement. This pursuit ended in a collision, resulting in the “neutralization” of the assailant. During the confrontation, an explosive device in the suspect’s vehicle detonated.
Since the onset of the Israeli operation, at least 20 Palestinians have been reported killed, with most identified as militants. The Israeli army has intensified its focus on Jenin and its refugee camps, known for their history of armed resistance against Israel.
On Saturday morning, an AFP photographer in Jenin noted ongoing clashes in the city, where streets remained largely deserted except for armored vehicles blocking access to the government hospital. The hospital’s director, Wisam Bakr, described the situation as the worst since the raid began, with intermittent heavy shelling and clashes. Water and electricity were cut off from the hospital, forcing reliance on generators and water tanks.
The surge in violence in the West Bank follows Hamas’s October 7 attack, which resulted in heightened tensions. According to the United Nations, at least 637 Palestinians have died due to Israeli military actions or settler violence since the start of the Gaza war. Conversely, 19 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during military operations in the same timeframe.
Among the 20 Palestinians reported dead since Wednesday, Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed that at least 13 were members of their armed factions. The deceased included an 82-year-old man and two teenagers, with a further 55 individuals reported injured.
In Gaza, Israel has continued its military offensive in retaliation for Hamas’s earlier attack. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that rescuers retrieved 29 bodies from the rubble and transported numerous wounded individuals to hospitals across the devastated territory. Recent strikes in Khan Yunis and the Jabalia refugee camp resulted in several casualties.
International concern regarding the Israeli operations has escalated. Britain, France, and Spain have expressed apprehensions about the violence, with Spain denouncing the situation as “unacceptable.”
The World Health Organization announced that Israel agreed to implement at least three days of “humanitarian pauses” in parts of Gaza, starting Sunday, to facilitate a vaccination campaign following the territory’s first recorded case of polio in 25 years. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that these measures do not equate to a ceasefire.
Hamas’s October 7 attack led to the deaths of 1,199 individuals, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Palestinian militants also took 251 hostages, with 103 still believed to be held in Gaza, including 33 confirmed deceased by the Israeli military.
The retaliatory campaign by Israel has reportedly resulted in over 40,602 deaths in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry. The ongoing conflict has caused severe devastation in Gaza, displacing most of its 2.4 million residents and triggering a humanitarian crisis. The UN humanitarian office noted a significant increase in denied access for humanitarian missions in August compared to July.
Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) has graduated 17,300 students at its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies held on Saturday at the main campus.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The university also conferred honorary Doctorate Degrees on Paul Odili, Founder and CEO of Paulo Group of Companies; Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN; and Emmanuel Issa, in recognition of their contributions to society.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the honourees were selected based on their character, achievements, and commitment to excellence.
He urged graduating students to focus on what they can contribute to national development, stressing that character, discipline, and integrity would determine their success beyond the classroom.
According to him, certificates may open doors, but personal values and conduct will shape long-term achievements.
The Vice Chancellor also reminded the graduates to uphold the reputation of the institution wherever they go.
Fawehinmi disclosed that the 29th convocation covered the 2022/2023 academic session, while the 30th covered 2023/2024, with thousands graduating across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Speaking after receiving his honorary award, Dr. Odili dedicated the recognition to Nigerians with dreams and encouraged young people to remain persistent in pursuing their goals.
He also pledged support for the university, promising collaboration aimed at addressing key challenges facing the institution.
The Federal Government has released an updated list of items banned from importation into Nigeria, in a move aimed at protecting local industries and reducing pressure on foreign exchange.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The revised prohibition schedule, dated April 1, 2026, outlines 17 broad categories of goods that are no longer allowed into the country through any entry point.
According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the policy affects a wide range of products, including food items, pharmaceuticals, household goods, and industrial materials.
One of the most notable aspects of the list is the ban on several widely used medicines under specified HS codes, including paracetamol, metronidazole, cotrimoxazole, chloroquine, aspirin, folic acid, and some vitamin supplements. The government says these are now to be produced locally.
The restriction also covers pharmaceutical waste, which remains completely prohibited.
In the agriculture and food sector, the importation of poultry, pork, beef, and eggs remains banned, although an exception was made for hatching eggs used for breeding and research purposes.
Retail-packaged vegetable oils, sugar products, cocoa derivatives, tomato paste, and certain bottled water products are also included in the import restrictions, with emphasis on encouraging local production.
The policy further bars detergents, soaps, ballpoint pens and refills, cement, certain fertilizers, packaging materials, and specific steel and glass products.
The Nigeria Customs Service has been directed to enforce the new rules strictly, with importers and businesses advised to comply fully to avoid seizure of goods and penalties.
ADC chieftain and publisher, Dele Momodu, has dismissed calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, describing the push as unfair and politically motivated.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Momodu was reacting to comments by activist Zekeri Idris Jnr, a supporter of Peter Obi, who urged Atiku to step aside over concerns about his age, which would be about 80 by 2027.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Momodu said attention should be focused on holding the government accountable rather than targeting Atiku’s political ambition.
The exchange followed a viral video where Idris insisted that Atiku should support younger aspirants instead of contesting, arguing that voters would not back an elderly candidate.
Idris also suggested that Atiku should act as a statesman and support younger politicians such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and others.
Responding, Momodu cited several world leaders who held office at advanced ages, arguing that experience should not be dismissed in leadership discussions.
He questioned what should disqualify Atiku from contesting, insisting that age alone is not a valid reason.
Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering another run in 2027 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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