The UN General Assembly made waves this week with a historic vote urging Israel to withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories and pushing for a two-state solution. The resolution, approved by 157 countries, called for peace based on pre-1967 borders and reaffirmed Palestinian rights to self-determination. Only 8 nations—including the U.S. and Israel—voted against it.
Meanwhile, tensions flared in Lebanon as Israel launched airstrikes near Shebaa, breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. Lebanese media reported one fatality, while the army rushed reinforcements to border towns. Israel warned of expanded strikes if hostilities resume.
In a plot twist straight from a geopolitical thriller, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump issued a Truth Social ultimatum: free all hostages by Inauguration Day or face \"historic\" consequences. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu praised the stance, while Hamas accused him of sabotering prisoner-exchange talks.
With peace talks stalled since November’s initial hostage release, the region remains a tinderbox. As one Beirut resident told local press: \"We’re caught in a tense tug-of-war—hopes for diplomacy vs. the roar of jets overhead.\"
