SOFREP Evening Brief: World Food Program Runs Out of Food Stocks in Gaza as Blockade Tightens, Russian General Killed in Car Bomb Attack Near Moscow

Good evening! Welcome to SOFREP’s evening brief. Here’s your roundup of defense and global affairs for Friday, April 25, 2025: The World Food Program ran out of supplies in Gaza as Israel’s blockade continues. The Trump administration revoked UNRWA’s legal immunity, allowing US lawsuits over alleged Hamas ties. Gunmen killed at least 20 in Nigeria’s Zamfara state. The US Navy will christen the USNS Sojourner Truth. A Milwaukee judge was arrested for helping a defendant evade ICE. Spain canceled an Israeli bullet contract under political pressure. A Russian general was killed in a suspected Ukrainian car bombing. Kyiv’s mayor suggested Ukraine may need to cede land for temporary peace. Pakistan saw deadly attacks on Ahmadis and security forces. Australia and New Zealand marked Anzac Day amid some protests.

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World Food Program Runs Out of Food Stocks in Gaza as Blockade Tightens

The World Food Program (WFP) announced Thursday that it has exhausted its food stocks in Gaza, ending a critical supply line for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

The agency delivered the last of its supplies to charity kitchens it supports, which are expected to run out of food in the coming days.

Approximately 80% of Gaza’s population, over 2 million people, relies on charity kitchens for daily meals due to the collapse of other food sources under Israel’s blockade, according to the United Nations (UN).

The WFP supported 47 kitchens, distributing around 644,000 hot meals per day, making them the major food providers across the territory.

WFP has fully depleted its food stocks in #Gaza.

Today, the last supplies were delivered to hot meal kitchens — Gaza’s only steady source of food for weeks. These kitchens will run out of ingredients in the coming days.

Read full statement.🔗https://t.co/OQCpJQcMfg pic.twitter.com/QaXY5CsbHx

— World Food Programme (@WFP) April 25, 2025

Israel imposed a complete blockade on Gaza on March 2, cutting off food, fuel, medicine, and other essentials. Two weeks later, Israel resumed military operations, ending a temporary ceasefire with Hamas. Israel justifies the blockade as a means to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Rights groups have called the blockade a potential war crime, accusing Israel of using starvation as a tactic.

The Israeli military agency COGAT, which coordinates aid to Gaza, declined to comment on remaining supplies. It has previously claimed aid levels were adequate, a position humanitarian organizations dispute. Aid workers say deliveries during the ceasefire barely addressed the population’s growing needs.

With no new goods entering Gaza, most markets have emptied of essential foods. Prices for what little remains have skyrocketed, and malnutrition is rapidly rising. In March alone, the UN identified 3,700 children suffering from acute malnutrition, an 80% increase from the previous month.

Most bakeries have shut down, and charity kitchens now serve minimal meals of pasta or rice.

World Central Kitchen, an American charity operating independently of the WFP, reports it has run out of proteins and is cooking stews from canned vegetables, burning wooden pallets for fuel. It operates the only bakery still functional in Gaza, producing 87,000 loaves of pita daily.

🚨 #Gaza: Hundreds of thousands of people are again at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition as humanitarian food stocks in Gaza dwindle and borders remain closed.

All 25 @WFP-supported bakeries have closed due to a lack of fuel and flour.

📹 WFP’s Antoine Renard says to @ABC. pic.twitter.com/panffUo8I8

— WFP in the Middle East & North Africa (@WFP_MENA) April 2, 2025

The WFP said 116,000 tons of food are ready for delivery if Israel reopens border crossings, enough to feed 1 million people for four months.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 51,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered the war killed about 1,200 people in Israel and led to the taking of 251 hostages, with 59 still believed to be held.

Trump Administration Revokes Immunity for UNRWA in US Lawsuit Over Hamas Attack

The Trump administration has reversed the longstanding US position that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is immune from civil lawsuits, opening the agency to legal action in American courts.

The Justice Department outlined the new stance in a letter filed Thursday in federal court in New York, amid a lawsuit seeking to hold UNRWA accountable for Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Families of victims in the Hamas assault allege that UNRWA aided Hamas by allowing weapons storage and deployment within its facilities and by employing Hamas members. UNRWA’s lawyers have dismissed the lawsuit as “absurd,” arguing the agency is protected under international law as a subsidiary body of the UN.

In its filing, the Justice Department acknowledged the US had previously recognized UNRWA’s immunity but stated that the government had “reevaluated that position” and now believes the agency must answer the allegations in court. The department emphasized that while the lawsuit’s accusations remain unproven, UNRWA should not be exempt from legal scrutiny.

The letter was signed by Jay Clayton, the new US attorney in Manhattan, and Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth, among others.

STUNNING REVERSAL: 🇺🇸 U.S. Department of Justice Strips UNRWA of Immunity. “The complaint alleges atrocious conduct on the part of UNRWA. The Government believes they must answer these allegations in American courts. The prior Administration’s view that they do not was wrong.”
🧵 pic.twitter.com/0NWkkulqER

— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) April 25, 2025

UNRWA, founded in 1949, assists approximately 5.5 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, providing health, education, and humanitarian aid. It remains the primary aid organization for Palestinians in Gaza, particularly amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Israel alleged that 19 UNRWA staff members participated in the October 7 attack, which killed around 1,200 people. UNRWA responded by firing nine employees following an internal UN investigation, though the evidence cited has not been independently verified.

Israel later claimed that about 100 UNRWA-linked individuals were Hamas members but has not provided concrete evidence to the UN.

Gunmen Kill at Least 20 in Attack on Mining Village in Nigeria’s Zamfara State

Armed men killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more during an attack on the village of Gobirawa Chali in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state on Thursday, according to Amnesty International Nigeria.

Gunmen on motorcycles launched a “house-to-house killing spree” after first targeting a nearby gold-mining site, where they killed 14 people. Additional bodies were later found in homes and a mosque.

The gunmen’s first target was a goldmining site where they initially killed 14 people. The people of Dan Gulbi district have been repeatedly attacked by gunmen and continue to live perpetually in fear of a potential attack.

— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) April 25, 2025

The motive for the attack remains unclear, though bandit groups in the region are known for carrying out mass killings and kidnappings for ransom. Many of these groups consist of former herders engaged in longstanding conflicts with settled communities.

Dozens of armed groups exploit the weak security presence across Nigeria’s mineral-rich northwest to conduct frequent raids on villages and travelers. Residents in the Dan Gulbi district, where Gobirawa Chali is located, often require armed escorts to move safely in and out of the area.

Local resident Rabi’u Bawa told the Associated Press that the attack was likely a reprisal. Villagers had repelled an earlier raid the previous day, reportedly killing seven of the attackers. Bawa attributed Thursday’s assault to forces loyal to Dogo Gide, a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara state.

The region has seen a surge in violence in recent months. In December, gunmen abducted at least 50 people, including women and children, from the Maradun area.

Bandit groups continue to use kidnappings for ransom as a primary means of funding and exerting control over rural areas.

US Navy to Christen Future USNS Sojourner Truth at General Dynamics NASSCO

The US Navy will christen the future USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210) on Saturday, April 26 during a ceremony at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego.

The event will feature remarks by Dr. Brett Seidle, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy, along with Vice Adm. John Wade, commander of the US Third Fleet; Capt. Micah Murphy, commander of Military Sealift Command Pacific; and Dave Carver, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.

The ship is named after Sojourner Truth, the 19th-century civil rights activist from New York.

In line with Navy tradition, Barbara Allen, a sixth-generation descendant of Truth, will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across its bow.

The Sojourner Truth represents the Navy’s ongoing 250-year commitment to innovation and maritime dominance, providing essential logistical support to sustain fleet operations in contested environments.

It’s christening week and the flag is flying high!🎇

We’re counting down to a weekend of celebration as we launch the future USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210) and mark another proud achievement for our shipbuilders. pic.twitter.com/LLocI21vfG

— NASSCO (@GDNASSCO) April 21, 2025

T-AO 210 is part of the John Lewis-class of fleet replenishment oilers, operated by the Military Sealift Command. These vessels offer substantial oil and dry cargo capacity and aviation capabilities, making them critical to the Navy’s Combat Logistics Force and fueling system.

General Dynamics NASSCO is currently producing three additional John Lewis-class oilers, with two more under contract. A Block Buy contract for T-AO 214 through T-AO 221 was awarded in September 2024 to support continued fleet expansion.

Program Executive Office, Ships oversees the development and procurement of these auxiliary vessels as part of its broad mandate within the Department of Defense.

FBI Arrests Milwaukee Judge for Allegedly Helping Defendant Evade ICE Agents

Federal authorities arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of helping a defendant evade US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents inside a courthouse. The arrest comes amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and local officials over immigration enforcement.

Dugan allegedly escorted defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted jury door last week after learning that ICE agents were in the hallway attempting to detain him.

Flores-Ruiz, who faced domestic violence charges, was later captured after a brief foot chase outside the courthouse.

The FBI affidavit states that Dugan appeared visibly angry upon learning of ICE’s presence, described the situation as “absurd,” and confronted agents before ultimately directing them to the chief judge. Afterward, she allegedly returned to the courtroom and led the defendant through non-public areas, typically reserved for court staff and in-custody defendants.

The Department of Justice charged Dugan with obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent his arrest. She was taken into custody on courthouse grounds and later released following a brief federal court appearance.

Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the judge’s actions, saying she jeopardized public and officer safety by prompting a street chase. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and US Senator Tammy Baldwin, both Democrats, defended judicial independence, condemning what they described as politically charged enforcement targeting the judiciary.

Dugan’s arrest mirrors a 2019 case during Trump’s first term, when a Massachusetts judge faced charges for allegedly helping a man evade ICE. That case was later dropped under the Biden administration.

Dugan, elected in 2016, has served in the court’s probate and civil divisions and previously worked at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society. She earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The case highlights the Trump administration’s push to criminally pursue state and local officials it accuses of obstructing federal immigration operations—a policy revived in full force during the current campaign season.

Spain Cancels Bullet Contract With Israeli Firm Amid Political Pressure

Spain cancelled a 6.8-million-euro ($7.8 million) contract to purchase bullets from Israeli defense company IMI Systems following pressure from the far-left Sumar party, a junior partner in Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist-led coalition. The decision was finalized Thursday after internal government negotiations.

Initially, Spain’s interior ministry had abandoned efforts to cancel the contract, citing legal concerns over financial penalties if the deal was terminated late. However, after renewed pressure, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz announced the contract would be “unilaterally” terminated on grounds of “general interest.”

The government plans to block the import authorization for the bullets before officially ending the agreement.

The move follows Sanchez’s broader freeze on weapons transactions with Israel, implemented after the start of the Gaza war triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Spain on Thursday unilaterally cancelled a multi-million-dollar contract to buy bullets from an Israeli company following pressure from the Socialist-led government’s far-left coalition partner. https://t.co/0kTHk4AhZ8 pic.twitter.com/bpL6tDMI2n

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 24, 2025

Israel condemned Spain’s decision, accusing Madrid of prioritizing politics over security and siding against “the Jewish state defending itself from terrorist attacks.”

The cancellation has drawn criticism from Spain’s conservative opposition Popular Party, whose leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, warned of financial and diplomatic consequences from breaching a state-level contract.

The fallout comes amid broader tensions within Spain’s ruling coalition, as Sanchez recently accelerated plans to boost defense spending to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP benchmark under US pressure—a move unpopular with many of his left-wing and separatist allies.

Russian General Killed in Car Bomb Attack Near Moscow

A powerful car bomb killed General-lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik, a senior Russian military official, in Balashikha, east of Moscow, on Friday.

Russian investigators confirmed that an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated inside a parked Volkswagen Golf near a residential building, in an attack resembling previous assassinations attributed to Ukrainian operatives.

Moskalik served as deputy head of the General Staff’s main operational directorate, a central body responsible for planning military operations in Ukraine. He had also represented Russia in the 2015 ceasefire talks with Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin promoted him to general-lieutenant in 2021.

Russian officials have opened a murder investigation. While the Investigative Committee has not formally attributed blame, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called it a “terrorist attack,” and North Osetia’s leader Sergei Menyailo suggested Ukraine was behind the strike, citing Moskalik’s strategic value to Russian operations.

Major General Yaroslav Moskalik, the Deputy Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was eliminated this morning in the town of Balashikha to the east of Moscow, after a car bomb exploded as he walked past leaving his home. Adding… pic.twitter.com/UrndDGZobZ

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 25, 2025

The device used in the explosion was packed with metal fragments and reportedly triggered remotely. Surveillance footage captured the blast as it sent debris flying through the air. Witnesses described a powerful explosion around 10:45 a.m. local time, which left a white vehicle charred and its front section destroyed.

Russian media outlets reported that the car may have been purchased by an individual from Sumy, Ukraine, and fitted with surveillance equipment. However, the vehicle was not registered to Moskalik.

The method and target are consistent with earlier killings tied to Kyiv, including the bombings of nationalist Darya Dugina in 2022 and war correspondent Maxim Fomin (Vladlen Tatarsky) in 2023. Ukraine has previously labeled such figures as “legitimate targets” but has not commented on Moskalik’s death.

The Kremlin has faced increased scrutiny over its security lapses following similar attacks, including the December assassination of General Igor Kirillov, chief of the military’s chemical weapons division.

Kyiv Mayor Says Ukraine May Have to Cede Territory for Temporary Peace

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said Ukraine might have to give up territory to achieve a “temporary” peace with Russia, according to an interview published Friday by the BBC.

Klitschko, a former world boxing champion, called such a concession “not fair” but suggested it could be a necessary, albeit temporary, solution.

His remarks followed a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 80. Klitschko emphasized his responsibility for the Ukrainian capital’s safety and acknowledged that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may face a “painful solution” to end the conflict.

Despite this, Klitschko stressed that Ukrainians would “never accept occupation” by Russian forces.

The interview comes amid reports that US President Donald Trump is pressuring both sides to negotiate a deal, with territorial concessions reportedly under discussion. These include possible US recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and currently occupies about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory.

Gunmen Kill Ahmadi Man in Pakistan’s Punjab Province in Second Attack This Week

Gunmen killed a member of Pakistan’s minority Ahmadi community and wounded another person in Bhulair village, Punjab province, police reported Friday.

Authorities arrested two suspects linked to the Thursday shooting, though the motive has not yet been officially determined.

Amir Mahmood, a spokesperson for the Ahmadi community, identified the victim as Muhammad Asif and stated he was targeted because of his faith.

Mahmood also warned of ongoing hate campaigns and violence against Ahmadis across the country.

The attack follows the killing of another Ahmadi a week earlier, when a mob of Islamists beat a man to death during a demonstration near an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi, the capital of Sindh province.

Pakistan’s Ahmadi population, estimated at around half a million among the country’s 250 million citizens, faces systemic persecution.

The state declared Ahmadis non-Muslims in 1974, and their homes and places of worship are frequently attacked by Sunni militants who view them as heretical.

Roadside Bomb Kills Four Security Personnel in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province

A roadside bomb struck a vehicle carrying security personnel in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, on Friday, killing four troops and wounding three others, according to local police chief Naveed Ahmad.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, though suspicion centers on ethnic Baloch separatists, who frequently target security forces and civilians in the region.

Baloch separatist groups, including the US-designated terrorist organization Balochistan Liberation Army, have waged a long-running insurgency in Balochistan.

#BREAKING: Baloch Liberation Army freedom fighters eliminated 10 personnel of the occupying Pakistani Army in a remote-controlled IED attack in Margat, a suburb of Quetta, and the target vehicle was destroyed in the attack. Pakistani soldiers helpless in Balochistan. pic.twitter.com/ZNvHgv5XoE

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) April 25, 2025

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack and praised the security forces for their sacrifices in efforts to restore stability.

The bombing follows a similar incident in Kalat district the previous day, where another roadside explosion killed three people. That attack also remains unclaimed.

Balochistan remains a hotspot of insurgent violence, with militant groups carrying out regular assaults against Pakistani government targets.

Australia, New Zealand Mark Anzac Day Amid Protests at Some Services

Hundreds of thousands gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Friday to commemorate Anzac Day with dawn services and street marches honoring their war dead.

The annual observances mark the anniversary of the April 25, 1915, landing of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli during World War I.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton suspended their election campaigning to attend ceremonies. Albanese addressed a crowd of 25,000 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, while Dutton laid a wreath in Brisbane.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon traveled to Gallipoli for the 110th anniversary, acknowledging the sacrifices of the 16,000 New Zealand soldiers who fought there. Princess Anne, representing the British royal family, and Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn also attended.

Disruptions marred some ceremonies. In Melbourne, hecklers interrupted the Welcome to Country ceremony performed by Indigenous elder Mark Brown at a dawn service attended by 50,000 people. Shouts of “this is our country” and similar slogans echoed a minor party inspired by US President Donald Trump. Applause from the broader crowd eventually drowned out the protests.

Authorities directed a 26-year-old man to leave the Melbourne service and announced he would face a summons for offensive behavior. Another disruption occurred during the Welcome to Country at Perth’s main dawn service, drawing condemnation from Western Australia Premier Roger Cook, who called the behavior “totally disrespectful.”

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh noted that the booing in Melbourne was led by an individual associated with neo-Nazi ideology, emphasizing the irony given that many soldiers commemorated fought against such hateful ideologies.

Sources: News Agencies