❗️Israel killed at least 104 Palestinians in Gaza since Israel announced it is conducting "defensive operations" in Gaza.

‼️ Some Syrian sources report that Syrian government forces attacked demonstrators with tear gas in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo.

❗️Oil prices rise as OPEC+ plans modest November production increase

Oil prices rose by about $1 today after OPEC+ announced a modest production increase for November.

Brent crude futures rose $1.07, or 1.66%, to $65.60 a barrel by 12:52 EDT (16:52 GMT), while US West Texas Intermediate crude increased 96 cents, or 1.58%, to $61.84.

"The market feel that the actual amount of oil that is going to hit the market is far less than what they announced, given that some of the OPEC+ members are already producing at capacity," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates.

❗️White House: Trump administration 'doing everything possible' to accelerate Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza talks

At a Washington briefing, White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt addressed reporters’ questions regarding the progress of the Sharm el-Sheikh talks, stressing that the Trump administration is “doing everything possible to move the process forward as quickly as possible.” She underscored, “It’s important that we move quickly. That’s the position of the entire presidential team.”

She said that the captive and prisoner exchange would speed up, paving the way to “the next stage—ensuring lasting peace in Gaza and preventing the enclave from threatening Israel and the United States.”

Leavitt also noted that President Donald Trump is closely following the talks and is informed about the negotiation details. “Technical groups are currently coordinating lists of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be released. The work is ongoing, and the president is receiving updates directly,” she said.

UPDATE | Armed clashes broke out between Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo, following an attempt by the Public Security forces to forcibly disperse a demonstration by local residents.

❗️Israeli Channel 13 quoting officials:

"If no progress is made regarding Trump's plan within days, the continuation of negotiations is unlikely."

❗️Vatican’s top diplomat condemns Israel’s 'ongoing massacre' in Gaza

The Vatican’s top diplomat condemned Israel’s “ongoing massacre” in Gaza in remarks published today.

Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state and a senior deputy to Pope Leo, said, “Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defense must respect the principle of proportionality.” He added that Israel’s war on Gaza “disregards the fact that it is targeting a largely defenseless population, already pushed to the brink, in an area where buildings and homes are reduced to rubble.”

He further stated, “It is ... clear that the international community is, unfortunately, powerless and that the countries truly capable of exerting influence have so far failed to act to stop the ongoing massacre.”

❗️Turkish and Syrian government-aligned media platforms say the heavy clashes erupted in Aleppo’s Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods between government forces and SDF militants following attacks on Internal Security checkpoints, while Kurdish sources say government forces sparked the violence by cracking down on demonstrations.

❗️The Ministry of Defense of the Syrian transitional government claims the movements of its forces come as part of a redeployment plan along several axes in northern and northeastern Syria, following what it described as “attacks by the Syrian Democratic Forces and their attempts to seize new points and villages.”

“We remain committed to the March 10 agreement, and there are no intentions to launch military operations.”

⭕️ Blackstone, Lunate launch $5 billion Gulf logistics investment platform

Blackstone and Abu Dhabi’s Lunate announced today plans to launch a $5 billion investment platform focused on logistics assets across the Gulf region.

Through a strategic partnership, the new GLIDE platform will target "high-quality warehouse assets," primarily in greenfield projects within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The firms said GLIDE will also pursue selective portfolio acquisitions and sale-and-leaseback transactions with major regional companies.

"The profound economic transformation underway in the GCC, driven by pro-growth policies, favorable demographic shifts and broad-based economic diversification, is creating powerful momentum for sectors like logistics," Blackstone President and Chief Operating Officer Jon Gray said in the statement.

(Reuters)

❗️Statement by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF):

"What is happening in Aleppo is a direct result of provocations by factions affiliated with the Interim Government and their attempts to advance with tanks.

Some media outlets are circulating false claims alleging that the Syrian Democratic Forces targeted checkpoints belonging to Damascus government militants in the vicinity of the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods in Aleppo city.

We categorically affirm that these allegations are entirely false, as our forces have had no presence in the area since their withdrawal under the April 1 understanding.

What is occurring in the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods is the result of repeated attacks by Damascus government factions against civilians. These forces have imposed a severe security and humanitarian blockade, cutting off relief and medical supplies, kidnapping many residents, and continuing daily provocations at checkpoints and around the neighborhoods. Recently, they raised earthen barriers around the area, tightening the siege.

In a dangerous escalation, those factions are attempting to advance with tanks and armored vehicles, targeting residential areas with mortar shells and drones — resulting in civilian casualties and extensive property damage.

These actions have provoked the residents, pushing them to defend themselves alongside the Internal Security Forces in the neighborhoods, who are fulfilling their duty to protect civilians and maintain security and stability.

We hold the Damascus government fully and directly responsible for the ongoing blockade, systematic violations against civilians, and the recent dangerous escalation that worsens the suffering of the population and threatens regional stability, exposing its deliberate disregard for people’s lives and dignity.

We call on international and humanitarian organizations to act urgently and effectively to end this unjust siege and stop the systematic attacks and provocations against civilians."

❗️Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha:

– "The unified position of the resistance factions regarding the American proposal reinforced the isolation of the occupation and is based on the interests and issues of our Palestinian people."

– "We welcome the Arab and international position supporting the Palestinian right and the positive engagement of the resistance factions to stop the aggression."

– "The Gaza Strip is an integral part of Palestinian land, and its administration must be based on Palestinian national consensus."

– "The [Israeli] occupation must commit to stopping the aggression. The continuation of its crimes and aggression against our people reveals the falsity of its positions regarding limiting its operations in the Gaza Strip."

– "We affirm the necessity of organizing the Palestinian house and coordinating all efforts to confront the projects and schemes targeting our people, land, and holy sites."

❗️Al Jazeera, citing sources, reports that the first round of talks between mediators and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh has concluded. The meeting was described as positive, setting out a roadmap and mechanisms for the current round of negotiations. According to the sources, the Hamas delegation stressed to mediators that the continued bombing of Gaza poses a major challenge to the release of the Israeli captives. The delegation included two members who survived the assassination attempt in Doha — Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin.

❗️US military aid to Israel exceeds $21.7bn since Gaza war began, study finds

A new report by Brown University’s Costs of War project has revealed that Washington has supplied Israel with at least $21.7bn in military assistance since the start of its genocide in October 2023.

The study, covering both the Biden and Trump administrations, says US military spending in West Asia has reached an additional $10bn over the same period.

The figure is based on open-source data and congressional notifications.

Neither the State Department nor the White House commented on the findings, while the Pentagon, which administers part of the aid, did not respond to requests for clarification.

The report was released as Gaza marks two years of Israel’s ongoing genocide, with attacks across the enclave still being reported.

(AP)

❗️Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP):

"On the second anniversary of the October 7 Operation, we recall a defining moment in the journey of a people who have never known surrender or submission. On that day, the resistance reaffirmed that it is the very essence of Palestinian existence and its living spirit — a thunderous cry against oppression, tyranny, and the arrogance of occupation. It was a bold declaration to the world that the Palestinian people are alive, steadfast in their land and identity, and unwavering in their right to freedom and dignity.

"However, the Zionist response — directly supported by American imperialism and Western lobbies — was not merely a military attack, but a blatant manifestation of organized state terrorism as a colonial instrument par excellence. In Gaza, the world witnessed a systematic genocide unparalleled in modern times — not only in its brutality, but in the colonial mindset that justifies starvation as a weapon, siege as collective punishment, and the destruction of vital infrastructure as part of a calculated extermination project. Hospitals, schools, universities, water sources, and power plants were not just bombed — homes were leveled atop their inhabitants, basic means of life were obliterated, and hundreds of thousands were displaced repeatedly. All this reveals the true face of the colonial system — one that views Palestinian life as an obstacle to dominance and seeks to eradicate national will."

"The participation of resistance movements in Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, and Iraq in supporting Gaza reflects the unity of fate and depth of solidarity, reaffirming that Palestine is not alone in confronting occupation. Lebanese and Yemeni resistance forces have demonstrated resilience and steadfastness, and despite tremendous sacrifices, the path of resistance continues to unite the Arab peoples in reclaiming their dignity and building a free, independent future — far from submission and foreign domination."

"The image of the Palestinian flag waving across the world — carried by free people in historic demonstrations and marches in capitals, squares, and streets, especially in Western countries — stands as a monumental symbolic and human achievement that restored dignity to a cause the occupation tried to erase for decades. The Zionist entity, once shielded by impunity, now stands as an outlaw regime — isolated, morally condemned, and exposed before international law and conscience."

"On this second anniversary of that immortal operation, and two years into the Zionist genocidal war on our people in the Gaza Strip, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine affirms the following:

We salute with pride the heroic martyrs of our people — particularly the commanders and fighters in Gaza, the West Bank, and all arenas of confrontation — whose blood affirms Gaza’s steadfastness. We also salute our prisoners and wounded, whose sacrifices remain a lasting source of pride and inspiration.

The October 7 Operation was a vital chapter in our people’s ongoing struggle since the occupation of Palestine — a natural response to the crimes of occupation in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, and to the blockade, settlement, and Judaization policies. To those who claim this operation began the conflict or caused the crisis, we remind them that Israel’s crimes have never ceased since the occupation of Palestine, while resistance has always remained active and unyielding across all fronts — a testament to our people’s endurance and will to confront aggression.

As the occupation escalates its genocidal war — especially in Gaza City — and as the resistance responds to the American proposal, our priorities are to achieve an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, lift the blockade, allow humanitarian aid, and begin reconstruction. These are firm demands that we will approach with responsibility and flexibility to end our people’s suffering."

WATCH | Israeli occupation forces assaulted an elderly Palestinian man after raiding his farmland in the town of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah in the West Bank.

The assault came shortly after government-backed settler militias launched a similar attack in the same town.

❗️Australian state condemns planned pro-Palestine event on 7 October

Australia’s most populous state has denounced a pro-Palestine group’s plan to hold a protest in Sydney on Tuesday.

The Stand for Palestine Australia group intends to host a “glory to our martyrs” event on Tuesday evening in Sydney’s Bankstown suburb, a move that drew sharp criticism from New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, whose state encompasses Sydney. "Terrible timing, shockingly insensitive," Minns told radio station 2GB.

"We understand that there is concern about innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, but to do it ... on 7th, seems like they are glorifying the actions of these Hamas terrorists, and not the circumstance of those that are living in Gaza."