Israel-Palestine, Syria, Hong Kong.

Today's three stories you should know.

Dec 07, 2023

Israel-Palestine

A Reuters investigation has found that Issam Abdallah, a Reuters journalist based in Lebanon, was killed by an Israeli tank crew who fired two rounds directly at a group of clearly-identified journalists just 37 seconds apart. The incident took place on the Lebanon-Israel border on October 13th and also wounded other Reuters journalists, and journalists from the AFP news agency and Al Jazeera. AFP’s Christina Assi was wounded severely. “The evidence we now have, and have published today, shows that an Israeli tank crew killed our colleague Issam Abdallah,” Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni said, calling on Israel to hold those responsible to account. Please do read the piece. It is comprehensive, it is forensic, and it leaves no doubt.

Syria

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said today it would be forced to suspend general food aid to Syria from 2024 due to a lack of funding. The announcement comes as hunger bites in the northwest, which is the last region held by rebel forces. “WFP is now at a crucial turning point in Syria, necessitating difficult decisions,” a spokesperson said in a statement. WFP and other aid agencies are increasingly facing funding shortfalls due to the sheer number of conflicts and crises across the world.

Hong Kong

Agnes Chow, a pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong who jumped bail last week, today said the city was “a place of fear.” Chow, 27, has become a fugitive in Canada after she refused to return for a bail hearing. Hong Kong authorities have pledged to pursue her for the rest of her life if she does not turn herself in. "Of course I will be cautious and careful when I go out, but I also want to do what I wasn't able to do in the past three years in Hong Kong," Chow told the BBC in an interview.