Portal:Current events/2023 October 12

October 12, 2023 (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Israeli–Palestinian conflict
- 2023 Israel–Hamas war
  - October 2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip
    - At least 51 people are killed and 281 injured in Israeli air strikes on several areas of Gaza, including Al Zaytoun, Al Nafaq, Sabra, Tal Al Hawa and Khan Younis. (AP) (Ynet News)
    - Three of five water plants in Gaza are out of service due to the Israeli bombings and lack of fuel, according to the International Committee of Red Cross. (India Today)
    - The United Nations says that 338,934 Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza, as Israel continues to conduct bombing raids. (Jakarta Post)
    - United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres says life-saving supplies, including food, fuel and water, must be allowed into Gaza. (NHK)
    - Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz says the blockade of Gaza will not end until all Israeli hostages are released by Hamas. (BBC News)
    - Former Human Rights Watch chief Kenneth Roth says the ongoing attacks on Palestinian civilians could constitute a war crime. (Daily Post)
    - The Norwegian Refugee Council calls for humanitarian corridors to be established to allow the safe passage of personnel and relief supplies into Gaza. (NRC)
  - The death toll in Gaza rises to 1,200, while the number of injuries has reached about 5,600. The death toll in Israel has reached 1,400. (Le Monde)
  - Israeli settlers kill two Palestinians, a father and son, in the West Bank during a funeral. (Al Arabia)
  - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt denied rumors that the Rafah border crossing was closed, asserting that the crossing remains operational and has not been closed since the onset of the crisis and called upon the international community willing to offer humanitarian aid to the Palestinians to route their aid to El Arish International Airport. (ahram)
Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Battle of Avdiivka
  - Ukraine says that Russia has begun an assault on the city of Avdiivka, in Donetsk Oblast, supported by tanks and armored vehicles. (The New York Times)
- Attacks in Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
  - Three people are killed and two others are injured in Belgorod Oblast, Russia, after debris from a downed Ukrainian drone hit several homes. (Al Jazeera)
Arab–Israeli conflict
- Syria says Israel has launched airstrikes on Damascus International Airport and Aleppo International Airport. Air defences were activated in response to the attacks. (Reuters)

Business and economy

International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva confirms that Zambia, the first African nation to default following the COVID-19 pandemic, has agreed to a debt agreement with foreign creditors, concerning US$6.3 billion of its debt. (AFP via Business Recorder)

Health and environment

2023 Zimbabwe cholera outbreak
- Zimbabwe bans gatherings of more than 50 people amid a cholera outbreak in the country. (The Guardian)

International relations

Iran–United States relations, Iran–Qatar relations
- U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo announces that the United States and Qatar will block Iran from receiving $6 billion in exchange for a prisoner swap. (NBC News) (The Washington Post)
The United Nations Human Rights Council extends a special rapporteur's mandate to investigate human rights violations in Russia for an additional year, despite Russia's previous refusal to recognize the rapporteur's mandate or permit her entry into the country. (AFP via Barron's)

Law and crime

International reactions to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
- Rallies in support of Palestine take place around the world, including Argentina, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, South Korea, South Africa and Spain. (DD News) (KTBS)
- French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announces that France will ban all pro-Palestinian protests in the country. (Politico EU)
Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, the former first lady of Gabon, is jailed by the ruling military junta. (AFP via France 24)

Politics and elections

2023 Malagasy presidential election
- Madagascar's constitutional court postpones the upcoming election from 9 November to 16 November 2023, amidst a political crisis involving protests against the Ntsay government following President Andry Rajoelina's resignation. (AFP via Barron's)