🇵🇸 🇮🇱 #Rafah Crossing “Destroyed”:

Recent footage has revealed that the Rafah Crossing in southern #Gaza, #Palestine has been effectively destroyed. The footage offers a good clue as to why the crossing has remained closed since #Israel took control of the crossing in May.

Since the crossing was captured by Israel, the amount of aid entering Gaza has dropped significantly. Data shows that in May the average number of trucks entering Gaza per day, excluding fuel trucks, was 97. This is a significant drop from April, when an average of 169 trucks were entering Gaza per day, which itself was an increase from March, when 139 trucks entered per day.

Since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war on October 7th, the Rafah Crossing, within the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, has been the primary entry point for aid to the Gaza Strip. Situated on the Egyptian border with Gaza, up until May, the Rafah crossing was the only crossing into Gaza not controlled by Israel.

Israel contradicted claims that the crossing had been closed completely, referring to it as a temporary pause, and stated that it was negotiating with Egypt on reopening the crossing. However, the recent footage of the crossing has shown high levels of damage which render the crossing inoperable.

As Israel’s operations in Rafah have expanded, the overwhelming majority of the civilian population which was sheltering there has left. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that less than 100,000 civilians remain in Rafah, from a peak of 1.4 million.

Israeli strikes throughout Rafah have reportedly killed a number of civilians, including on May 26th when an Israeli strike on an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp started a fire in the camp. The strike and the resulting fire led to the deaths of at least 45 people, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Israel has claimed to have killed a large number of Hamas militants in its battles throughout Rafah. As well the IDF has reported a striking number of their own casualties in their Rafah operations. On June 15th, eight Israeli soldiers were killed during operations in Rafah. The next day was followed by three more.

Full article and footage: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/06/20/rafah-crossing-destroyed/ @AtlasNewsTelegram

🇷🇺 🇰🇵 🇰🇷 🇺🇦 Shortly after Russian president Vladimir #Putin and #NorthKorea leader #Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the two countries, which included a mutual defense pact, #SouthKorea's national security advisor Chang Ho-jin stated that Seoul would reconsider sending arms to #Ukraine to support its war effort against #Russia.

In response, Putin stated that “South Korea has nothing to worry about; Russia will provide military assistance to North Korea only in case of aggression,” however, “If South Korea supplies weapons to Ukraine, they won’t like the answer, I hope they won’t do it.” Via theatlasnews.co @AtlasNewsTelegram

🇵🇭 🇨🇳 #Philippines and #China Release Footage of June 17th Incident at Second Thomas Shoal: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/06/22/philippines-and-china-release-footage-of-june-17th-incident-at-second-thomas-shoal/ @AtlasNewsTelegram

On June 19th, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) released videos and photos of the resupply mission that occurred on June 17th. The AFP released the footage after China made statements saying the China Coast Guard (CCG) intercepted and boarded some of the vessels that “illegally intruded into waters near Ren’ai Jiao [Second Thomas Shoal].” Furthermore, China also released footage of the incident from their perspective and pushed their narrative that the Philippines was the aggressor.

The mission began at 6 a.m. local time with the Philippine Navy (PN) deploying six vessels, including two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) and the M/L Lapu Lapu, to deliver supplies to the shoal. The CCG deployed eight vessels, including RHIBs, to intercept and harass the PN vessels as they sailed near the LST, BRP Sierra Madre. The Chinese vessels began to conduct aggressive actions against the Philippine vessels as they sailed within 131 feet (40 meters) of the LST. For example, the CCG vessels began to block and ram the PN boats to prevent them from reaching the Sierra Madre.

Three CCG vessels blocked one of the RHIBs, and at least two to three CCG personnel armed with batons and other weapons boarded the boat to conduct a search and attach ropes to its bow. At least one CCG member recorded the boarding with a camcorder as it occurred. During the boarding, two Chinese coastguardsmen pointed axes and batons at the Philippine sailors to prevent them from interfering with the boarding. The CCG boat then towed the vessel away from the larger group, where the organization seized seven CAR-15 disassembled rifles and destroyed the boat’s navigational, radio, and steering systems. The Chinese personnel also destroyed camcorders and cell phones belonging to the sailors on board the vessel.

Three Chinese vessels blocked and rammed the PN RHIB, which resulted in one member of the Naval Special Operations Group losing his thumb. At least four CCG personnel boarded and searched the Philippine boat as two sailors treated the injured member. Other Chinese personnel in the surrounding vessels pointed weapons at and threatened the Philippine sailors on the RHIB. Furthermore, the personnel also deployed tear gas and sirens during the incident to disorientate and prevent the Philippine sailors from fighting back. The Chinese coastguardsmen also damaged the vessel’s communications and navigation systems.

Chinese vessels also swarmed the Philippine boats already moored along the side, offloading the supplies to the LST. CCG personnel then boarded the vessels to conduct searches, seize, and destroy equipment and systems. The personnel also tied ropes around one of the vessels’ structures to tow the boat. Other Chinese coastguardsmen threatened the PN sailors on the boats with swords, batons, and other weapons. They also used knives and other bladed weapons to puncture the two PN RHIBs alongside the Sierra Madre.

The CCG vessels also deployed sirens and flashing strobe lights to disorient and prevent the Philippine personnel from recording the incident. Personnel stationed on the LST threw buckets of water on the CCG personnel to prevent them from damaging the Philippine vessels. The CCG personnel then pointed weapons, shouted threats, and threw rocks at the sailors on board the LST. Some of the CCG vessels and the RHIBs rammed the PN vessels before one Chinese boat towed one of the Philippine boats away. Chinese personnel then boarded the vessel and seized equipment while also damaging its systems.

Read more about the responses from both sides and context in the full article at theatlasnews.co

🇷🇺 SITREP: #Dagestan Attacks

An unknown number of unidentified gunmen, at least four identified but reportedly more, carried out multiple attacks against several locations in the Dagestan cities of Derbent and Makhachkala. 9 killed, including police, and 25 wounded, reported the Muftiate of Dagestan. @AtlasNewsTelegram

-At least 6 officers dead, 12 wounded, according to RIA

-At least four gunmen were killed, according to #Russia's Internal Ministry

-Two Orthodox churches and one synagogue targeted in Derbent, one synagogue targeted in Makhachkala

-Orthodox priest reportedly killed as well a church security guard, church set on fire

-Two synagogue guards killed and synagogue set on fire

-Gunmen clashed with police in Makhachkala at traffic post

-Searches still continue in Derbent and Makhachkala for remaining attackers that fled and escaped police

While no group has claimed responsibility yet, many have speculated that this is an attack by the Islamic State or its sympathizers. Back in March, ISKP, the Afghan branch of ISIS, attacked the Crocus City Hall in #Moscow killing 145 people and wounding hundreds more. Via theatlasnews.co