You are invited to join us for Global Crisis Watch 297, on Friday, October 18th at 10:00 BST.
The highlighted topics will include:
Lebanese Mayor Among Five Killed in Israeli Attack on Nabatieh
An Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Nabatieh killed at least five people, including the town’s mayor. The Israeli military confirmed that it targeted dozens of Hezbollah sites in the area, dismantling underground infrastructure used by Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces. The strikes hit command centers, weapons storage facilities, and other Hezbollah infrastructure reportedly located near civilian areas, drawing concerns over the use of civilians as human shields.
The Lebanese health ministry confirmed the casualties and ongoing debris removal operations, while rights groups warned of escalating violence. This airstrike occurred as part of a broader conflict that includes an ongoing 12-day Israeli siege of northern Gaza, which has been condemned for reaching “horrifying” levels.
The situation in Lebanon remains tense, with recent air raids also targeting Beirut's southern suburbs. The Lebanese prime minister has reported receiving assurances from the United States that Israel would halt strikes on the capital. Despite these assurances, the continued attacks on Nabatieh and other regions reflect the worsening regional tensions.
Gaza on the Brink: Over a Million Face Starvation Amid Aid Blockade
The humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza is deteriorating rapidly, with over a million people at risk of starvation due to severe restrictions on food aid. Since the start of October, no aid trucks have been allowed into the region, following a significant reduction in deliveries in the preceding months. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that if the aid flow does not resume, a million vulnerable individuals will be deprived of essential food supplies. Key bakeries in central Gaza, including Al- Banna and Zadna, have ceased operations due to a lack of flour and fuel, further aggravating the already dire situation.
The ongoing Israeli military offensive has complicated humanitarian efforts, as increased ground operations limit the ability to deliver critical supplies. Residents in northern Gaza have been encouraged to evacuate to the south, but many are reluctant to do so, citing attacks even in Israeli-designated "safe zones." Israeli authorities have denied deliberately blocking food aid, but U.N. agencies and local human rights groups accuse Israel of implementing a "starve-or-leave" policy aimed at forcing civilians to relocate.
Fuel shortages are also impacting essential services, threatening the functioning of hospitals, water plants, and ambulances. The crisis has disrupted health campaigns, including a crucial polio vaccination effort, due to ongoing military actions. The WFP has indicated that its remaining food supplies could run out within two weeks, underscoring the urgent need for increased humanitarian access.
Symbolic Explosions Reflect North Korea's Shift from Unification
North Korea blew up portions of two major inter-Korean roads on October 10, symbolizing its escalating tensions with South Korea. The targeted routes, Gyeongui and Donghae lines, had not been used for years, but the explosions mark a clear departure from previous inter-Korean cooperation. South Korea's military responded by firing warning shots and increasing surveillance. The blasts came shortly after Pyongyang accused Seoul of sending propaganda-laden drones over its capital, sparking threats of retaliation.
North Korea’s actions follow leader Kim Jong Un's recent decision to abandon peaceful unification efforts and label South Korea as an "invariable principal enemy." Pyongyang cited military exercises in South Korea and the presence of U.S. military assets as justification for the road demolitions, claiming to safeguard its national security. The explosions were accompanied by further border fortifications, including anti-tank barriers and landmines, as part of an ongoing militarization effort that began earlier this year.
North Korea has a history of staging such symbolic demolitions; in 2020, it destroyed a South Korean-built liaison office, and in 2018, it dismantled parts of its nuclear testing site. Experts suggest Kim Jong Un's actions aim to diminish South Korea's regional influence while bolstering his regime's domestic legitimacy. This comes amid North Korea’s increasing missile tests and strained relations, with both Koreas and the U.S. ramping up military activities.
Weaponized Hunger: Sudan’s Agricultural Collapse and Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan's ongoing war has devastated its agricultural sector, putting millions at risk of starvation. Despite fertile land in states like Al Jazira, farmers lack essential resources such as fuel, fertilizer, and pesticides due to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The United Nations warns that 25 million people are facing acute hunger, with 2 million at imminent risk of famine.
Humanitarian aid has been weaponized, with both sides blocking assistance to areas controlled by their opponents. The RSF has obstructed aid to regions held by the SAF, while SAF forces have delayed aid deliveries, worsening the crisis. In camps like Zamzam in North Darfur, where famine has already been declared, displaced families struggle to survive on scarce resources. The humanitarian response remains critically underfunded, with only 32% of a $2.7 billion UN appeal met.
Farmers forced to abandon their land face grim conditions in refugee camps, where displaced people lack basic necessities. Women have reported exploitation, including trading sex for food, while ethnic-based violence and abuses have surged. Efforts to establish humanitarian corridors, like the recently opened Adré border crossing with Chad, face bureaucratic hurdles and limited success.
The war risks becoming a "forever conflict," with foreign mercenaries and regional powers, including Egypt, the UAE, and Russia, complicating peace efforts. Experts warn that starvation is being used as a weapon of war, threatening millions with death by year’s end.
Plus, all the stories that are catching our attention wherever we live in the world. Feel free to join us and add your voice to the conversation.
