International Developments Unfold as Gaza Border Reopens, Iran Cracks Down on Protests, and Ukraine Battles Russian Starlink Use
International events unfolded this week with the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the arrest of foreign nationals during Iranian protests, and Ukraine's efforts to combat Russian drone usage of Starlink.
On Monday, the Rafah crossing partially reopened, allowing limited medical evacuations and family returns after months of pressure, according to Euronews. Emotional reunions took place at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis as families reunited with relatives who had traveled months earlier for medical treatment. Egyptian officials stated that approximately 150 people were expected to leave Gaza and about 50 to enter on the first day, with strict limits in place. Ambulances transported sick and injured patients into Egypt, where medical screening was conducted before onward transfer.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities arrested 139 foreign nationals in Yazd during recent anti-government protests, state-run media reported on Tuesday, Euronews stated. The police chief in Yazd claimed those detained were involved "in organising, inciting and directing riotous actions, and in some cases were in contact with networks outside the country," according to Iran's Tasnim news agency. The death toll from the unrest remains heavily disputed, with some fearing as many as 30,000 people have been killed during the weeks-long demonstrations. NPR reported that Iranians in the diaspora are also targeting the children of Iran's ruling elite who live abroad, demanding their deportation.
In Eastern Europe, Ukraine and SpaceX collaborated to stop strikes by Russian drones using Starlink, Ars Technica reported. Ukraine will soon require Ukrainians to register their Starlink terminals to get on a whitelist. After that, only verified and registered terminals will be allowed to operate in the country. All others will be disconnected, the Ukraine Ministry of Defense said in a press release. Ukraine Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov emphasized that the only technical solution to counter this threat.
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