Hamas leader: killed

Hi Global Recap readers,

After years of instilling fear in the region and orchestrating the October 7 invasion of Israel, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is finally dead.

Though his elimination was an “accident,” it marks a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict.

Please be advised that, while censored, the following images are graphic.

But don’t worry; Following this news block, I’ve also shared some hilarious clips to lighten the mood, so be sure not to miss those!

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Hamas Leader Killed

It finally happened, the day Israelis have long awaited has arrived.

Israeli forces have finally eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader behind the October 7, 2023, attack.

While this marks a major victory for Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu cautions that the conflict is far from over, with hostages still needing to be freed.

What Happened?

• An image of a man with his skull and knees blown off has surfaced online, with many speculating that it might be Yahya Sinwar.

• Adding to the speculation, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant posted a cryptic message on X, showing photos of Hezbollah’s late leader Nasrallah and Hamas’ top commander Deif, both marked with Xs. There is also an X over a black rectangle, which hints at a target yet to be revealed.

• Later, it was reported that Israel conducted a DNA test on the body and confirmed that it was indeed Yahya Sinwar who had been eliminated.

Quick Summary of the Operation

Over recent weeks, the 162nd Division and Gaza Division operated in Gaza based on intelligence about senior Hamas officials’ locations.

The Attack:

• On Wednesday, after three terrorists were spotted and fired upon, two entered one building while Sinwar entered another, although, at the time, the IDF didn’t know that it was Sinwar.

• Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tanks and other forces then opened fire on both buildings.

• Sinwar moved to the second floor; a tank fired another shell at the building, prompting an infantry platoon to search.

• Sinwar threw two grenades, one of which exploded, causing the soldiers to withdraw.

• A drone searched the room and found Sinwar, who was injured and threw a wooden stick at it.

• Another tank shell was fired at him, resulting in his death.

The Extraction:

• His body was extracted and transported to Israel later on Thursday.

• Confirmation of Sinwar’s identity was achieved through DNA and other tests; part of his finger was removed for expedited testing due to the booby-trapped location.

Reactions

• This is Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announcing Sinwar’s death.

• This is reportedly a video of residents in Southern Israel celebrating the news of Sinwar’s possible elimination.

• In his statement, US President Biden congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on the success and called Sinwar’s death a “good day” for the world.

Hostages’ Fate

The elimination of a terrorist leader after years of terrorizing the region is certainly great news. However, concerns remain about the fate of the remaining hostages.

• Families of hostages are urging for their immediate release.

• The Hostages Families Forum is urging that this military achievement be leveraged into a diplomatic victory.

• Before his death, Sinwar was involved in negotiations for their release.

Harris’ Judgement

Additionally, keep in mind that US Vice President Kamala Harris previously claimed she had “studied the maps” and determined that any military operation in Rafah would be a “huge mistake.”

Ironically, the Israelis have just eliminated a notorious terrorist leader in Rafah.

Indeed, she was talking about the potential impact on civilians in Rafah, but the irony of the situation is certainly noteworthy.

More Videos / Photos

Please be advised that the links below contain uncensored media, some of which are extremely graphic. Proceed with caution before clicking.

• Israeli soldiers surrounding the dead body of Sinwar:

• The final moments of Sinwar: Sinwar wears a head covering to conceal his identity while throwing a stick at an Israeli drone.

• Israeli soldiers conducting further forensics on Sinwar.

• Remember: Sinwar often traveled with hostages and a bag of explosives to deter Israelis from attacking him, even if they were aware of his location.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Sharing Some Hilarity

Alright, that’s enough of the gory images for today.

To lighten the mood a bit, here are some funny clips featuring US Vice President Kamala Harris. Whether you are a supporter of Harris or not, I think you can still enjoy these.

Clip 1

For those who may not be following US politics, Harris has a reputation for changing her accent based on who she’s speaking to, which some critics argue comes off as disingenuous or fake.

So, this parody ad was born. Wait for Zelensky’s cameo at the end:

Clip 2

Recently, a clip of President Biden and former President Obama talking at Ethel Kennedy’s memorial went viral.

Since there’s no audio, many lip readers have been attempting to decode their conversation. One expert believes that at one point, Biden tells Obama that Kamala is “not as strong” as him, and Obama appears to agree.

However, this didn’t stop people from adding “bad lip-syncing” to the clip. And don’t miss Bill Clinton’s cameo at the end:

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
B-2 Bomber Strikes Iran-Backed Targets

The US Air Force deployed B-2 Spirit bombers to strike Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen, marking the first combat use of the aircraft since 2017.

This is not just any ordinary operation; it sends a message to Iran.

The Mission

The B-2 bombers targeted hidden underground weapons facilities in Yemen.

• The strikes were a response to Houthi attacks on civilian and military ships.

• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the US’s ability to hit deeply buried targets.

The Message

This operation sends a clear signal to Iran and its proxies.

• Retired Air Force Col. Mark Gunzinger noted the message was meant for the Houthis and Iran.

• The US demonstrated its willingness to use significant military power.

Historical Context

The B-2’s last combat mission was in 2017.

• In 2017, B-2s flew a 33-hour mission to Libya, killing around 100 Islamic State militants.

• The B-2 has been operational since the mid-1990s, with a payload of 40,000 pounds.

Future Developments

The Air Force is preparing to introduce the new B-21 Raider bomber.

• The B-21 is currently undergoing flight testing and is expected to replace older bombers.

• The Department of Defense plans to buy around 100 B-21s, each costing about $700 million.

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Zelensky: NATO or Nukes

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a bold statement: Ukraine needs NATO membership or nuclear weapons to ensure its survival.

NATO Membership

At the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday, Zelensky emphasized the importance of NATO for Ukraine’s security.

• Ukraine gave up Soviet nuclear weapons in 1994 for security assurances.

• Zelensky argues NATO membership is the only effective alliance for Ukraine.

• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte supports Ukraine’s membership but is noncommittal on timing.

Nuclear Weapons

Zelensky mentioned nuclear weapons as an alternative to NATO.

• He clarified that Ukraine is not building nuclear weapons.

• The statement highlights the lack of strong security guarantees for Ukraine.

Victory Plan

Zelensky presented a plan to end the war with Russia.

The plan includes:

• Securing a NATO membership invitation.

• Continued arms shipments are crucial to force Russia to negotiate.

Political Challenges

Ukraine faces opposition from some NATO members.

• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico vows to block Ukraine’s accession.

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán finds Ukraine’s victory plan “frightening.”

What are your thoughts? Personally, I don’t believe he genuinely thinks he can obtain nuclear weapons. Instead, I he’s using the situation as a bargaining chip to expedite Ukraine’s NATO membership.

🇪🇺 EUROPEAN UNION
EU Eyes Albania Migration Plan

The European Union is considering adopting Italy’s controversial policy of processing illegal migrants offshore in Albania.

This comes as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pushes for new legislation to increase deportations of illegal migrants.

Italy’s Albania Scheme

Italy has started sending some Mediterranean migrants to Albania for processing.

• The scheme involves two centers on the Albanian coast, costing around €650 million.

• These centers will process asylum claims under Italian law, excluding vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children.

Von der Leyen’s Proposal

Von der Leyen suggests the EU could learn from Italy’s offshore processing policy.

• She highlights the low return rate of irregular migrants, currently at about 20%.

• The proposal aims to ensure migrants can’t exploit the system by moving between EU countries.

Why the sudden shift? The EU recently imposed a huge fine on Hungary for restricting “asylum rights,” remember?

Political Reactions

The plan has sparked mixed reactions across Europe.

• Italian PM Giorgia Meloni defends it as a “courageous” move reflecting the European spirit.

• Critics, including NGOs and opposition MPs, label it as “cruel” and “expensive.”

Broader EU Context

Other EU countries are also tightening their immigration policies.

• Germany reintroduced land border checks, and France is considering stricter immigration laws.

• Poland plans to temporarily suspend asylum rights to counter migration from Belarus.