March 3, 2025 21:18 E72

Israel stops aid from entering Gaza

Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for March 3, 2025.

Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and

our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.

On Sunday, we collected and mapped 46
events, including Israel's decision to

stop allowing aid to enter Gaza, and
responses to it, so let's get started.

"Gaza Strip

Hamas condemned Netanyahu's decision
to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza as

""extortion"" and a ""war crime,""
urging mediators to intervene.

Israel justified the suspension
by claiming Hamas rejected a US

proposal to extend the ceasefire's
first phase through religious

holidays with more hostage releases.

The PMO stated Hamas violated the
agreement while Israel remained

compliant, though Israel hasn't
engaged in phase 2 talks as required."

"Gaza Strip

Israel has halted all aid to Gaza after
Hamas rejected a US proposal to extend

the ceasefire through Passover and
Ramadan with more hostage releases.

Netanyahu's office warned of ""further
consequences"" if Hamas continues

refusing, stating Israel won't accept
a ceasefire without hostage returns.

Israeli officials believe Gaza has
enough supplies to last months.

The ""Witkoff plan"" would release
half the remaining hostages

initially, with the rest freed if
a permanent ceasefire is reached.

Gaza militants currently hold
59 hostages, including at least

35 confirmed dead by the IDF."

"Gaza Strip

The head of the UN humanitarian
agency OCHA, Thomas Fletcher, has

condemned Israel's decision to
suspend aid deliveries to Gaza.

In a statement posted on X, Fletcher
called the move ""alarming"" and

emphasized that international humanitarian
law requires access for the delivery

of lifesaving aid to those in need.

He said that aid needs to get in
and the hostages need to get out,

declaring the ceasefire must hold."

"Georgia

Badra Gunba won Abkhazia's
presidential runoff with 54.73%

of votes against opposition
leader Adgur Ardzinba.

Though internationally recognized as
Georgian territory, Abkhazia has been

under de facto Russian control since 2008.

The election followed November
protests that ousted the previous

pro-Kremlin president over a
controversial Russian investment bill.

Gunba visited Moscow before voting,
which opponents criticized as unfair.

The runoff faced disruption from
masked attackers at a polling station.

Putin congratulated Gunba, while Georgia
condemned the election as illegal.

Abkhazia has seen three leaders
resign due to protests since 2014."

"Russia

The Kremlin expressed approval of
the US foreign policy shift under

President Trump, with spokesman
Dmitry Peskov stating it ""largely

coincides with our vision.""

Peskov indicated that despite significant
damage to bilateral relations, the

path to improved US-Russia ties could
be ""quick and successful"" if both

leaders maintain political will.

Trump has sought closer relations with
Moscow since taking office, including

siding with Russia at the UN and
recently rebuking Ukrainian President

Zelensky during a White House meeting."

"Rwanda

The M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda,
has handed over 20 fighters from the

Democratic Forces for the Liberation of
Rwanda (FDLR) to Rwandan authorities.

The FDLR was founded by ethnic
Hutus involved in the 1994

Rwandan genocide against Tutsis.

Among those transferred was General
Ezechiel Gakwere, allegedly involved

in the Tutsi genocide in Butare, and
Major Gilbert Ndayambaje, previously

sentenced to life imprisonment in
DRC for crimes against humanity.

Rwanda has long cited the FDLR's
presence in eastern DRC as justification

for supporting M23, which has
recently captured key provincial

capitals, including Goma and Bukavu."

"Syria

Syria's interim President Ahmed
al-Sharaa has formed a seven-member

committee, including one woman, to
draft a constitutional declaration

that will govern Syria's transition
following Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.

The committee of experts will submit
their proposals to the president,

though no timeframe was specified
for completion of this work.

This constitutional declaration
will establish the framework

for Syria's transitional phase
under the new leadership."

"United Kingdom

European Commission President
von der Leyen announced plans

for European rearmament following
a Ukraine summit in London.

She emphasized the urgent need to
""step up massively"" on defense

investments and provide Ukraine with
comprehensive security guarantees.

The goal is to transform Ukraine
into a ""steel porcupine that is

indigestible for potential invaders.""

Von der Leyen stressed Europe's
readiness to partner with the US

in defending democracy and opposing
border changes through force.

The plan will be presented at the March
6 European Council meeting, addressing

long-term European security in the
current geopolitical environment."

"China

The Chinese embassy in Thailand
defended the repatriation of 40 Uyghurs

as normal cooperation on illegal
immigration, not an asylum issue.

They accused critics of double
standards, citing how the US

deported 270,000 migrants in 2024.

The embassy claimed China adheres
to anti-torture conventions and that

repatriated individuals would be
reunited with families and given jobs.

They stated that terrorist attacks
in Xinjiang ended in 2016 and accused

foreign countries of spreading
false information about the region

to destabilize China under the
pretext of human rights concerns.

The embassy invited Thai officials
to visit Xinjiang to witness

religious freedom and unity there."

"Benin

Armed clashes in northern Benin
killed ten people, including

one soldier, as jihadist groups
expanded from neighboring countries.

Violence has escalated significantly,
with over 120 soldiers killed since 2021.

Benin has responded by deploying
thousands of troops in ""Operation

Mirador,"" recruiting additional
security personnel, and signing a

military agreement with the US."

"Niger

Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists killed
11 soldiers in northern Niger near

Algeria, with the Group for the Support
of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claiming

responsibility for Friday's ambush.

State media described the
attackers as ""bandits."""

"Nigeria

Four individuals were kidnapped by
suspected armed bandits from Paris

Quarters near Federal University,
Dutsinma, in Katsina State.

The attack occurred around 2:20 a.m.

when the perpetrators
quietly entered the area.

The victims have been identified as
Wali Kayode (25), Fahad Muhammad (20),

Emmanuel, and one unidentified person.

Security forces responded to
a distress call but arrived

after the kidnappers had fled.

Authorities have initiated
efforts to locate the perpetrators

and rescue the victims."

"Pakistan

Six people were killed in Gujrat, Punjab,
when unidentified gunmen on motorcycles

attacked a car in Miana Chak Dinga.

Police indicated the shooting
resulted from personal enmity.

The victims, aged 26-35, were identified
as Zahid Nazim, Mubashir, Zunair, Javed

Iqbal, Rukhsar, and one unidentified man.

The Punjab Inspector General
took notice of the incident,

sought a report, and ordered the
immediate arrest of the culprits."

"Pakistan

Three policemen were injured in
a grenade attack on Karachi's

Preedy police station Friday night.

DIG South Syed Asad Raza indicated
such attacks are typically carried

out by the Baloch Liberation Front
(BLF) or Lyari gangs, with recent

incidents linked to the BLF.

Authorities are also investigating
possible involvement of the Sindhudesh

Revolutionary Army and noted activity
from banned TTP militants in the area."

"Democratic Republic of Congo

Uganda has deployed troops to Mahagi
in northeastern DRC at Congo's request

following massacres by the Codeco militia.

Uganda already controls parts of Ituri
province, including the capital Bunia, and

conducts operations against ADF rebels."

"Gaza Strip

The IDF reported conducting a drone
strike in southern Gaza that targeted

two individuals who were near
Israeli forces and deemed a threat.

The military operation
took place earlier today."

"Gaza Strip

The IDF conducted a drone strike
in northern Gaza, targeting

individuals allegedly planting an
explosive device near Israeli troops.

Palestinian media reported multiple
casualties in the Beit Hanoun area.

Despite the ongoing ceasefire, Israeli
forces maintain a buffer zone along the

Gaza border and have warned Palestinians
to avoid approaching this area.

The IDF stated it would continue
operations against perceived threats to

Israeli citizens and military personnel."

"Iraq

Turkish forces and PKK fighters
engaged in intense combat on Sunday in

the Matin mountain range in northern
Duhok, specifically near Link summit.

The fighting occurred just two days
after jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan

had called for a ceasefire with Turkey.

According to security sources, both sides
used light and medium weapons during

the exchange, and while local residents
reported hearing heavy gunfire, no

casualties were immediately reported."

"Philippines

A New People's Army rebel was
killed in a clash with government

troops in Baluan village, Palimbang,
Sultan Kudarat on March 1.

The 57th Infantry Battalion encountered
about 20 armed rebels during a

patrol, recovering an M-16 rifle,
M-14 rifle, and other war materials

from the unidentified casualty."

"Somalia

Puntland security forces clashed
with ISIS militants in Somalia's Bari

region, killing several insurgents,
including two foreign fighters.

The battle in Xabley village resulted
in casualties on both sides."

"South Korea

The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier
and two warships arrived in Busan,

South Korea, as a show of force
against North Korean threats.

This visit reinforces U.S.-South

Korean military cooperation,
with sailors participating in

cultural exchanges while docked.

The carrier's arrival precedes the
upcoming Freedom Shield joint exercise."

"Syria

A clash between security forces of
Syria's new government and local

Druze gunmen in Jaramana, a Damascus
suburb with large Druze and Christian

populations, resulted in one death
and nine injuries on Saturday."

"Syria

Turkish forces conducted artillery
strikes on the Kobane countryside,

Qorah Qozak Bridge, and Sarin Junction
areas while drones monitored the region.

Simultaneously, Turkish fighter jets
carried out airstrikes near Teshrin

Dam, Sarin Airport, and nearby silos,
causing visible flames at the airport.

Despite the military operations,
no casualties were reported."

"Taiwan

The Taiwanese defense ministry reported
Chinese military activity around

Taiwan, including 11 aircraft, six
naval vessels, and three official

ships over a 24-hour period.

Five Chinese aircraft crossed the
median line of the Taiwan Strait,

entering Taiwan's air defense
identification zone in multiple areas.

Taiwan responded by deploying its own
aircraft, naval ships, and coastal missile

systems to monitor the Chinese presence."

"Ukraine

Russian shelling killed two
civilians in the Donetsk region

on March 1, with one death in
Kramatorsk and another in Malynivka.

Seven additional people were injured
in the region over 24 hours."

"Ukraine

The Russian military conducted a
drone strike on Pyrohivtsi village in

Ukraine's Khmelnytskyi region, damaging
nine residential buildings and causing

a fire at one private house, which
firefighters quickly extinguished.

A 75-year-old woman was
injured in the attack.

Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported
the incident on Facebook, noting that

the explosion's shockwave was responsible
for the widespread structural damage."

"Ukraine

Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted
63 Russian attack drones (primarily

Shahed models) during a large-scale
assault that began Saturday evening.

Russia launched 79 drones from multiple
locations, including Oryol, Bryansk,

Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

An additional 16 decoy drones
disappeared from the radar

without reaching their targets.

Despite Ukraine's defensive efforts
using anti-aircraft missile units,

electronic warfare systems, and
mobile fire groups, the attack

caused damage in the Kharkiv, Sumy,
Khmelnytskyi, and Zaporizhzhia regions."

"Ukraine

In the past 24 hours, Russian
forces launched 458 attacks on the

Zaporizhzhia region, including ten
airstrikes, 288 UAV attacks, nine

MLRS strikes, and 151 artillery
bombardments targeting 12 settlements.

The attacks caused damage to
residential buildings and vehicles,

with 18 damage reports recorded.

A 31-year-old woman was injured
in Zaporizhzhia after a drone

strike hit a residential area."

"Ukraine

Russian forces conducted 17 attacks
on Ukraine's Nikopol district in

the Dnipropetrovsk region on March
2, using heavy artillery, FPV

drones, and UAV-dropped explosives.

Three civilians were wounded - one
man requiring medical supervision and

two women receiving home treatment.

The attacks damaged a kindergarten,
seven private homes, eight

outbuildings, a business facility,
vehicles, and power infrastructure."

"Ukraine

Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,110 Russian

soldiers over the past day.

Over 400 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."

"Ukraine

Russian forces attacked a minibus
in Kherson with a drone-dropped

explosive on March 2, 2025, killing
one person and injuring ten others.

The driver transported the
victims directly to a medical

facility, with six people remaining
under medical supervision."

"Ukraine

The Russian military attacked Nikopol
in the Dnipropetrovsk region on

March 2, injuring three civilians.

Emergency workers are currently
responding at the attack site,

according to the Dnipropetrovsk
Oblast Military Administration."

"Ukraine

Russian forces shelled Sloviansk
in the Donetsk region using cluster

munitions, striking a gas station
and damaging several parked vehicles.

The attack occurred around 17:20
on March 1st, with no casualties

reported in this incident."

"Ukraine

Russian forces attacked the Kharkiv
region on March 1-2 with guided

bombs and drones, damaging homes
in several villages, including

Turove, Zolochiv, and Kivsharivka.

A 51-year-old man was injured in
Petropavlivka and hospitalized.

Infrastructure damage included a
high-voltage power line in Oleksandrivka.

Russian forces attempted three
unsuccessful assaults near Novoosynove

and Zahryzove in the Kupiansk sector,
but according to regional head Oleh

Syniehubov, conducted no offensive
operations on the Kharkiv, Siversk, and

Kramatorsk fronts during this period."

"Ukraine

Russian forces struck the Panama-flagged
container ship MSC LEVANTE F in Odesa

on March 1 with two Iskander-M missiles.

Pro-Putin sources claimed it carried
British weapons from Turkey, but

Ukrainian officials insisted it
contained only civilian cargo.

Two port workers were reportedly wounded,
and a second vessel was also damaged."

"Poland

Polish cybersecurity services detected
unauthorized access to the Polish Space

Agency's (POLSA) IT infrastructure.

In response, the affected systems
were secured and the POLSA network

was disconnected from the internet
while authorities investigate

who is behind the attack."

"Iraq

Hundreds of demonstrators protested
outside the West Qurna 1 oil

field in Iraq's Basra province,
demanding jobs for local residents.

Many protesters were engineers
who had been promised positions

but had not yet been hired.

Security forces reportedly used
batons to disperse the crowd."

"Israel

Thousands of protesters have gathered
outside the Prime Minister's Residence in

Jerusalem, demanding that Israel continue
the Gaza ceasefire agreement to secure

the release of additional hostages."

"Pakistan

Police raided the Quetta Press Club and
arrested 32 candidates who were attempting

to hold a press conference regarding
delays in their appointment letters.

These individuals had been shortlisted
through SBK Testing Service for

government school positions and
had been protesting for two days.

According to SSP Operations Quetta
Muhammad Baloch, the arrests

were made for violating Section
144 and disrupting public order.

The police action has drawn strong
condemnation from the Balochistan Union

of Journalists and Quetta Press Club, who
view it as an attack on press freedom."

"Syria

Jihad Taher, who served as an officer
at the Al-Jouza checkpoint in Deir

Ezzor and was affiliated with the
Military Intelligence of the former

regime, was arrested by members of
the Internal Security Forces of the

Military Operations Administration.

The arrest took place in the
Kafr Sousah area of Damascus."

"Bolivia

A deadly collision between two buses in
Bolivia's western Potosi region has killed

at least 37 people and injured 39 others.

The crash occurred early in the morning
on the Uyuni-Colchani route when one

bus veered into oncoming traffic.

The injured were taken to four
hospitals in Uyuni, while police are

working to identify all victims."

"France

A boat carrying Kurdish asylum seekers
from Iraq's Sulaimani province was

sinking in the English Channel.

Initially reported to have about
20 people, migration activist Ranj

Pishdari later confirmed the French
police rescued a total of 69 migrants.

Before losing internet connection,
passengers had sent distress

messages about their punctured boat.

This incident reflects the broader
pattern of Middle Eastern migrants

taking dangerous routes to Europe
to escape unemployment, political

instability, and corruption."

"Syria

A young man was killed by shrapnel
from a landmine explosion in

the southern Deir Ezzor Desert.

The incident occurred while he
was herding sheep in an area

under new government control.

The landmine appears to have been
a remnant of a previous conflict."

"United States

A FedEx cargo plane made an
emergency landing at Newark Liberty

International Airport after a
bird strike caused an engine fire.

All three people on board were safely
evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

Air traffic was briefly halted
as a precaution but resumed

shortly afterward, and the fire
remained contained to the engine."

"United States

A single-engine experimental Vans RV-7
aircraft crashed near Matheson in Elbert

County on Saturday around 12:42 p.m.,

killing the sole occupant.

The crash was reported by a
witness who heard the plane flying

overhead, followed by a thud.

The National Transportation Safety Board
and Federal Aviation Administration are

currently investigating the incident."

"Israel

Beersheba resident Doron Bokovza
has been indicted for providing

information about Israel's
nuclear program to Iranian agents.

Following a joint police and Shin Bet
investigation, authorities determined

Bokovza initiated contact with Iranian
operatives, falsely claiming access

to Israel's nuclear research center
while only sharing public information.

He allegedly photographed facilities and
transferred information to his handlers.

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