News from February 9, 2025 at 2 AM

Hamas has released three Israeli hostages in Gaza, namely Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy, while Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners in the latest exchange under an internationally brokered ceasefire deal. The hostages were handed over to the Red Cross on Saturday morning and later reunited with their families in Israel. Sharabi's family, residing in the UK, expressed shock at his gaunt appearance. Returning Palestinian prisoners were welcomed with celebrations in Ramallah, with some requiring medical care. Since the ceasefire began on January 19, 21 hostages and 566 prisoners have been released, with expectations of 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners to be freed by the end of the first stage. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed horror at the hostages' condition, accusing Hamas of ceasefire violations. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem claimed the release was conducted civilly and accused Israel of delaying humanitarian aid. The Red Cross urged all parties to ensure future releases are dignified and private.

On February 7, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during an interview with Reuters in Kyiv, showcased a once-classified map of rare earths and other critical minerals, aiming to appeal to US President Donald Trump's interest in deals. The Trump administration seeks Ukraine's supply of rare earths in exchange for financial support for its war effort. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's need for security guarantees from allies. Last autumn, Ukraine proposed opening its critical minerals to ally investments, with less than 20% of its mineral resources currently under Russian occupation. Zelenskyy noted Russian advances in the east and Ukraine's aligned foreign policy with the US. He also mentioned discussions on using Ukraine's gas storage for US LNG. Zelenskyy plans to attend the Munich Security Conference, hoping to meet Trump. Ukrainian forces launched a new offensive in the Kursk region, advancing 2.5 km.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a victory in the Delhi local elections, reclaiming the capital after 27 years. Voting took place on February 5, with results on February 8 showing BJP winning 47 seats, significantly ahead of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s 22 seats. Modi pledged to develop Delhi and improve citizens' quality of life. This win marks BJP's third state election victory in four months, reflecting the impact of their recent tax relief measures for the middle class. BJP promised various welfare initiatives. Delhi, governed by AAP since 2013, was affected by corruption allegations, leading to Kejriwal's defeat and loss of his seat.

On February 8, leaders of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) called for an immediate ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a joint summit in Tanzania. The summit directed EAC-SADC chiefs of defense forces to meet within five days to provide technical guidance for an unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, ensuring humanitarian assistance. They are also expected to develop a securitization plan for the city of Goma and surrounding areas. The leaders urged the DRC to hold direct talks with all conflict parties, including the M23 Movement, and recommended the withdrawal of all foreign military units from the DRC. The summit brought together leaders from Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, South Africa, DRC, Rwanda, Zambia, Burundi, Malawi, Angola, South Sudan, Madagascar, and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.

In the early hours of February 8, a bus crash in southern Mexico resulted in the deaths of 41 people. The bus, carrying 48 passengers, was traveling from Cancun to Tabasco when it collided with a truck, killing 38 passengers and two drivers, including the truck driver. The bus caught fire after the collision, leaving only the skeletal remains of the metal frame. So far, only 18 skulls have been confirmed, and recovery efforts are ongoing. Bus operator Tours Acosta expressed profound sorrow on Facebook and is working with authorities to investigate the cause of the accident and whether the bus was speeding.

The Trump administration, despite opposition from the Democratic Party, approved a $7.4 billion arms sale to Israel. The US Department of Defense announced that the State Department had approved a $6.75 billion arms package, with Boeing as a major contractor, and an additional $660 million deal for 3,000 Hellfire missiles, with Lockheed Martin as the main contractor. Democratic Congressman Meeks condemned the decision, stating Trump broke the long-standing congressional review practice. During Netanyahu's visit to Washington, Trump pledged strong support for Israel against Hamas. Additionally, Israel and Hamas conducted their fifth hostage exchange, with Hamas releasing three hostages and Israel freeing 183 prisoners. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei met with Hamas leaders, praising their defeat of Israel.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced the formation of a new government on February 8, ending a two-year period of caretaker rule. Salam expressed his hope to lead a 'government of reform and salvation,' aiming to rebuild trust with the international community. The new government faces the daunting tasks of implementing reforms to unlock international funding, overseeing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, and rebuilding the country. President Joseph Aoun signed a decree forming a government of 24 ministers and accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government. The new cabinet includes five women and notable figures such as former UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame. The weakening of Hezbollah, long the dominant force in Lebanese politics, following a war with Israel and the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, paved the way for Aoun's election as president and Salam's appointment as prime minister. UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed the new government, hailing it as a new and brighter chapter for Lebanon.

US District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction on Saturday to block Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) from accessing the personal financial data of millions of Americans in Treasury Department records, ordering Musk and his team to immediately destroy any copies of the records. This action followed lawsuits by 19 state attorneys general against the Trump administration, arguing that access for Musk, a 'special government employee', and Doge, which is not an official government department, violated federal law. Musk called the ruling 'absolutely insane' on X. Engelmayer's order stated that the states would 'face irreparable' harm without immediate relief due to the risk of disclosing sensitive information and increased vulnerability to hacking. The injunction restricts access to Treasury records containing personal data to only civil servants who have passed background checks. New York Attorney General Letitia James noted that the Trump administration had given Musk and Doge 'unprecedented access' to personal data. The conditions will remain in place until the next court hearing on February 14.

On February 8, leaders of the far-right group Patriots for Europe, the third-largest voting bloc in the European Parliament, gathered in Madrid to praise Donald Trump's return to power under the slogan 'Make Europe Great Again'. Attendees included Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Italian Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini, France's National Rally leader Marine Le Pen, and Netherlands' PVV party leader Geert Wilders. Orban addressed around 2,000 supporters, most waving Spanish flags. Speakers uniformly opposed immigration and called for a new 'Reconquista'. Former Estonian Finance Minister Martin Helme and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado also spoke. A feminist activist was ejected from the rally. Patriots, formed after the May 2024 European elections, comprises 86 MEPs from 14 countries. Spain's ruling Socialist Party condemned the event, while Vox, led by Patriots' president Santiago Abascal, has seen rising support in polls, particularly among young men and military personnel. Despite aims to unify Europe's nationalist conservatives, key parties from Italy, Germany, and Poland have refused to join.

On February 7, Israeli jets conducted strikes on Hezbollah Shia militia bases in the mountainous area of eastern Lebanon near the Syria border. According to Al Jadeed TV, the attack resulted in at least three fatalities and several injuries. Earlier, Israel had accused Hezbollah of violating a ceasefire agreement and attempting to smuggle weapons across the Syria-Lebanon border.

UK Health Minister Andrew Gwynne was sacked following allegations of anti-Semitic remarks. On Feb 8, the Labour Party lawmaker expressed regret for his 'badly misjudged' comments. Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed Gwynne as a junior health minister upon learning of the comments and suspended him from the Labour Party. Gwynne posted inappropriate messages in a WhatsApp group, including a malicious comment about a 72-year-old woman. A government spokesperson stated that the Prime Minister is committed to upholding high standards of conduct in public office. Previously, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh resigned over a criminal conviction, marking the first Cabinet resignation under Starmer's government.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan stated during a meeting with Panamanian Ambassador to China Miguel Lecaro that China firmly opposes US attempts to undermine its relations with Panama through pressure and threats. Zhao emphasized that China-Panama relations should not be disrupted by any third party. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino announced on Thursday the formal withdrawal from China's Belt and Road Initiative, denying any connection to the recent visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Zhao noted that China had lodged solemn representations with Panama over its plan to terminate the memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, US President Donald Trump, in his inauguration speech, claimed the desire to regain control of the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of overcharging US ships, a claim rejected by the Panamanian president.

Ecuador will hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on February 9, with incumbent President Daniel Noboa running for re-election. Besides him, 16 other politicians have entered the race. Noboa's main rival is former lawmaker Luisa Gonzalez, who served in various positions in the government of ex-President Rafael Correa (2007-2017). According to a poll by Ipsos, 45.5% of voters are ready to support Noboa, while Gonzalez has the backing of 31.3%.

On February 8, Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met with the head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Fernando Arias, in Damascus, marking the watchdog's first visit since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Over a decade ago, Syria agreed to destroy its declared chemical weapons stockpile, but the OPCW has always suspected the declaration was incomplete. Arias stated that this visit represents a reset, giving the Syrian caretaker authorities a chance to turn the page. The Syrian presidency released photos of al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani shaking hands with Arias. Arias emphasized the need to seize this opportunity to break the deadlock. Additionally, there are concerns that valuable evidence may have been destroyed in intense Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military sites.

On February 7, 2025, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced at a joint press conference in the White House that Japan's Nippon Steel will significantly invest in U.S. Steel rather than acquire it. Trump stated that Nippon Steel will pursue investment instead of purchase. Ishiba also confirmed that Japan will provide technology to help U.S. Steel manufacture higher-quality products, emphasizing the reciprocal and mutually beneficial nature of the arrangement. Previously, former President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel on national security grounds. U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel have asked a federal court to overturn Biden's decision. Meanwhile, Cleveland-Cliffs has expressed interest in acquiring U.S. Steel, proposing an all-cash purchase plan.

On the afternoon of February 8, a fire broke out in an office building of a former electrical appliance factory in eastern Moscow, injuring 5 people who were hospitalized but are currently not in life-threatening condition. Over 60 firefighters and 16 pieces of equipment were deployed to the scene, and approximately 200 people were evacuated. Mayor Sobyanin stated that the fire has been controlled and all personnel have been evacuated. According to TASS, the fire may have been caused by damaged wiring or circuit overload, with the area affected by the fire reaching 800 square meters.

On February 8, a group of demonstrators gathered outside Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, to protest US President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Carrying signs and flags from Mexico, Guatemala, and the US, they chanted 'Immigrants Make America Great' as Trump, who spent several hours at the club, departed in his motorcade in the afternoon. One sign in Spanish read 'the American Dream is also ours.' Trump, who has been in office for just under three weeks, won the presidency partly on a promise to crack down on illegal immigration, implementing measures swiftly, including tasking the US military with border security, issuing a broad ban on asylum, and seeking to restrict birthright citizenship. Protesters and supporters frequently gather outside venues where Trump is staying to express their disdain or enthusiasm for his policies.

Since October 2023, military operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in 48,181 deaths and 111,638 injuries, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which confirmed an additional 572 casualties. Five injured individuals and 26 bodies, including 22 retrieved from rubble, were brought to hospitals. The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli territory, prompting Israel to impose a total blockade on Gaza and launch airstrikes. On January 15, Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. brokered a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on January 19.