Good morning! Start your week with SOFREP’s morning brief, bringing you the latest updates on defense and global affairs for Monday, May 12, 2025. Here’s a quick glance at today’s headlines: Israeli airstrikes killed 23 more in Gaza, deepening the aid crisis as international calls for a ceasefire grow. Israel faces backlash for trying to control aid flows while blocking UNRWA schools and continuing military operations. In Burkina Faso, government forces and militias allegedly massacred over 100 Fulani civilians. Trump visited Gulf states to push business ties amid Iran nuclear talks and Gaza tensions. Putin proposed Ukraine peace talks but ignored a 30-day ceasefire backed by the West. India and Pakistan resumed cross-border fire shortly after Trump announced a ceasefire deal, casting doubt on its viability.
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Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Aid Crisis Deepens and Ceasefire Demands Mount
Israeli airstrikes overnight into Saturday killed at least 23 Palestinians across Gaza, including a family of five—parents and three children—whose tent was struck in Gaza City’s Sabra district, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The bombardment comes amid growing international concern over Israel’s plan to control aid distribution in the besieged enclave, now in its third month under full blockade.
Another Israeli strike late Friday hit a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warehouse in Jabaliya, killing four. AP footage showed fires engulfing the damaged building, which residents said had been previously targeted in Israeli ground operations.
Israeli forces also reported that nine soldiers were lightly wounded by an explosive device while conducting searches in Gaza City’s Shijaiyah neighborhood.
Good morning! Start your week with SOFREP’s morning brief, bringing you the latest updates on defense and global affairs for Monday, May 12, 2025. Here’s a quick glance at today’s headlines: Israeli airstrikes killed 23 more in Gaza, deepening the aid crisis as international calls for a ceasefire grow. Israel faces backlash for trying to control aid flows while blocking UNRWA schools and continuing military operations. In Burkina Faso, government forces and militias allegedly massacred over 100 Fulani civilians. Trump visited Gulf states to push business ties amid Iran nuclear talks and Gaza tensions. Putin proposed Ukraine peace talks but ignored a 30-day ceasefire backed by the West. India and Pakistan resumed cross-border fire shortly after Trump announced a ceasefire deal, casting doubt on its viability.
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Israeli Airstrikes Kill 23 in Gaza as Aid Crisis Deepens and Ceasefire Demands Mount
Israeli airstrikes overnight into Saturday killed at least 23 Palestinians across Gaza, including a family of five—parents and three children—whose tent was struck in Gaza City’s Sabra district, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The bombardment comes amid growing international concern over Israel’s plan to control aid distribution in the besieged enclave, now in its third month under full blockade.
Another Israeli strike late Friday hit a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warehouse in Jabaliya, killing four. AP footage showed fires engulfing the damaged building, which residents said had been previously targeted in Israeli ground operations.
Israeli forces also reported that nine soldiers were lightly wounded by an explosive device while conducting searches in Gaza City’s Shijaiyah neighborhood.
Since resuming operations on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire, Israel has seized more than half of Gaza and intensified ground raids in both the north and in Rafah. Large swaths of territory have been flattened by continuous bombardment.
The humanitarian situation has worsened dramatically. Under Israel’s blockade, charity kitchens have become the main source of food but are now shutting down as supplies vanish. Aid groups warn of mass closures. Israel claims the blockade is a pressure tactic to force Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages and disarm, but rights organizations call it a “starvation tactic” and a potential war crime.
Israel also alleges aid diversion by militants, though it has provided no evidence. The UN rejects these claims, citing ongoing distribution monitoring.
Meanwhile, US-backed proposals to restructure Gaza aid delivery, including through the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—led by former military and aid officials—face strong rejection from the UN and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
The war, now in its 19th month, has killed more than 52,800 people and wounded over 119,000 in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel says it has eliminated thousands of militants but has not offered supporting evidence.
Hamas released a video Saturday showing hostages Elkana Bohbot and Yosef-Haim Ohana under duress. Both were taken from the October 7, 2023, massacre at a music festival where over 300 were killed. Protesters rallied again in Tel Aviv demanding a ceasefire and immediate return of the hostages.
The families of “Prisoner 21” Yosef Chaim Ohana and “Prisoner 22” Elkana Bohbot have approved distribution of Hamas latest sick propaganda video.
Both men are CIVILIANS abducted from a music festival 582 days ago by Hamas jihadists. pic.twitter.com/cJC5UY8DNc
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) May 10, 2025
Public pressure and humanitarian alarm continue to rise as Israel signals plans to expand military operations further inside Gaza.
Israel Warns of Retaliation if Countries Unilaterally Recognize Palestinian State
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned Sunday that Israel will take unilateral measures in response to any international moves recognizing a Palestinian state without a negotiated agreement. His remarks came amid growing momentum in Europe to officially recognize Palestinian statehood.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Saar said such recognition would “harm future prospects for a bilateral process” and reward “Hamas terror,” referencing the group’s October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the current war in Gaza.
Wadephul reiterated Germany’s support for a two-state solution but emphasized that premature recognition or illegal Israeli settlement expansion would undermine peace efforts. “It must not be hindered either by the advancement of illegal settlement construction or by the premature recognition of a Palestinian state,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron previously signaled that France could recognize a Palestinian state as early as June, drawing praise from Hamas, which called the statement an “important step.” Nearly 150 countries currently recognize Palestinian statehood.
#Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would force #Israel to take “unilateral actions,” following announcements by several countries, including #France, that they plan to take such a step. pic.twitter.com/I99rQVynB2
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) May 11, 2025
In recent months, Ireland, Norway, and Spain recognized a Palestinian state, with Slovenia following in June. These decisions were influenced in part by mounting international concern over the civilian death toll in Gaza from Israel’s ongoing military campaign.
Israel remains firmly opposed to any unilateral recognition, insisting that Palestinian statehood must be the outcome of direct negotiations, not international declarations.
Burkina Faso Military and Militias Accused of Massacre of Over 100 Fulani Civilians
At least 100 civilians—primarily ethnic Fulani—were killed by Burkina Faso’s military forces and pro-government militias in March near the town of Solenzo, according to a report released Monday by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The findings are based on eyewitness accounts and videos posted on social media, which point to coordinated attacks by Burkina Faso’s special forces and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), a militia aligned with the ruling junta.
The attack began on February 27 and lasted until April 2, involving hundreds of troops and drone support. Witnesses described VDP members firing indiscriminately, with many victims unable to flee. After the attack, jihadist militants from the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group launched reprisals against locals they believed collaborated with the military, killing dozens more in towns like Tiao.
HRW said the killings were likely part of a broader campaign against the Fulani community, which has long been accused by the government of aiding Islamist insurgents. The report stated that after the massacres, most Fulani in the region either fled or were killed.
“Today, in the whole province, there are no more Fulani,” one resident told HRW.
While the government initially dismissed earlier reports as misinformation and incitement to ethnic violence, it has not yet responded to HRW’s latest findings. The rights group called for an independent investigation and accountability for those responsible.
The violence underscores the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso, where over 60% of the territory is outside government control.
The military junta, which took power in 2022 promising stability, has instead intensified repression and relied heavily on undertrained civilian militias. More than 2.1 million people are displaced, and nearly 6.5 million need humanitarian assistance.
Rights groups warn that censorship, intimidation, and forced conscription have made independent reporting nearly impossible. Analysts say the junta’s militarized response is inflaming ethnic divisions and driving the country deeper into chaos.
Trump Visits Gulf States Amid Gaza War, Iran Nuclear Talks, and Business Ties
US President Donald Trump begins a trip this week to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), prioritizing economic partnerships and Trump-branded real estate projects. While his focus remains on business, the regional crises surrounding Gaza and Iran dominate the geopolitical backdrop.
Gaza War and Israeli Concerns
Trump’s itinerary notably excludes a stop in Israel, raising concerns in Jerusalem about diminished US commitment.
Israel is currently intensifying operations in Gaza following a ceasefire breakdown two months ago, with a worsening humanitarian crisis under blockade. Despite giving Israel broad leeway in Gaza and blaming Hamas for civilian casualties, Trump has rattled Israeli officials by launching new negotiations with Iran and halting US strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen—moves that left Israeli security leadership blindsided.
Israeli officials fear Trump may no longer provide military backing if Israel chooses to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Tensions also remain over the possibility of a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal, as Riyadh continues to demand significant Palestinian concessions that Israel’s hardline government resists.
Iran Nuclear Negotiations Stall
Trump’s administration has entered its fifth round of indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program, with no breakthrough yet. US officials reportedly want Tehran to abandon uranium enrichment entirely—a red line for the Islamic Republic.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this weekend, signaling Iran’s interest in continuing talks even as internal and external pressures mount.
Iran’s economy is crumbling under renewed sanctions, and its regional proxy network—Hamas, Hezbollah, and others—has suffered serious setbacks since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. With nationalism surging at home, Iranian leaders pushed back fiercely against Trump’s suggestion to rename the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf.”
Gulf States and Trump Business Ties
Trump’s warm welcome in Saudi Arabia and Qatar highlights longstanding ties with Gulf monarchies. His visit comes as Qatar announces a new Trump-branded development project and prepares to gift a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft—raising ethical questions about accepting lavish presents from foreign governments.
This trip rekindles memories of Trump’s 2017 visit, which preceded the Qatar diplomatic crisis when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt launched a blockade over Doha’s ties to Islamists and Iran.
Trump initially criticized Qatar but reversed course within a year. Analysts warn Trump must now tread carefully to avoid inflaming regional rifts again.
Ceasefire, Hostages, and Strategic Balancing
Despite avoiding a stop in Israel, Trump’s trip could affect war dynamics. Israel has temporarily paused plans to expand operations in Gaza, potentially leaving space for a new ceasefire deal.
Hamas has announced the upcoming release of the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, though Israel’s role in the deal remains unclear.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 11, 2025
Trump aims to use US economic influence to reassure Gulf partners while navigating the explosive realities of regional conflict. Whether he can maintain that balance—without reigniting past crises—remains to be seen.
Putin Proposes Ukraine Peace Talks, Ignores 30-Day Ceasefire Plan Backed by West
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct peace talks with Ukraine to be held in Istanbul on May 15, but ignored a separate 30-day unconditional ceasefire plan announced hours earlier by European and US leaders.
Speaking early Sunday at the Kremlin, Putin offered to resume negotiations “without any preconditions,” reviving a format previously attempted in 2022. He said he would ask Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to help facilitate the talks, expressing a desire to reach a lasting peace and address the “root causes” of the conflict—a phrase often used by Moscow to blame the West and Kyiv for the war’s outbreak.
The proposal came just after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Kyiv with leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland, who jointly announced an immediate 30-day ceasefire plan set to begin Monday, May 12. The group warned that Russia would face new coordinated sanctions from the US and Europe if it did not comply. They held a video conference with about 20 allied nations to solidify international support for the truce.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on his return from Kyiv, expressed skepticism about Putin’s proposal, suggesting it was a delay tactic. He emphasized that a ceasefire should occur “without negotiations,” and said any violations would trigger massive sanctions.
US President Donald Trump responded to the developments on his Truth Social platform, calling it a “potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine” and promising to continue working with both sides. Trump had previously threatened to abandon stalled negotiations and has faced scrutiny over his position toward both Zelensky and Putin.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized strong global unity behind the 30-day truce, describing the Kyiv summit as a turning point in international coordination. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also backed the initiative, which is to be primarily monitored by the US with support from European partners.
NEW: Putin called for Russia and Ukraine to resume bilateral negotiations based on the early 2022 Istanbul protocols that include Russian demands amounting to full Ukrainian surrender. Any agreement based on those protocols would be a capitulation document.
Putin also continues… pic.twitter.com/HcNjgG6KoN
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) May 11, 2025
Putin’s offer followed a symbolic military parade in Moscow and a unilateral three-day Russian ceasefire, which Ukrainian forces on the eastern front said had little effect on combat intensity. With Russia showing no indication of accepting the proposed 30-day truce, uncertainty remains over whether diplomatic momentum will translate into real de-escalation.
India and Pakistan Trade Fire After US-Brokered Ceasefire Announcement
India and Pakistan exchanged fresh accusations of ceasefire violations on Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump announced a surprise agreement between the nuclear-armed rivals to halt hostilities.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri claimed Pakistan had broken the truce and said Indian forces were responding with “adequate and appropriate” measures. Pakistan’s foreign ministry countered that its military was acting with “responsibility and restraint,” despite “violations committed by India.”
AFP reporters in Srinagar reported hearing explosions, while Pakistani officials confirmed ongoing “intermittent exchange of fire” along the contested Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. The claims remain unverified by independent sources.
On Saturday, Trump declared that both nations had agreed to a “FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE” following US-mediated talks, applauding the move as an act of “Common Sense and Great Intelligence.” He also pledged to boost trade with both countries and expressed interest in brokering a long-term solution for the Kashmir dispute, which has triggered several wars since 1947.
The ceasefire was expected to take effect at 5:00 p.m. local time Saturday, ending a deadly series of cross-border airstrikes, drone attacks, and artillery shelling that killed at least 60 people and displaced thousands.
The recent spike in violence followed a deadly terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26, mostly Hindu tourists. India blamed the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, which Islamabad denies supporting. New Delhi launched “Operation Sindoor” in retaliation, targeting what it claims were terrorist camps.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the US role in de-escalating the conflict, while India, traditionally resistant to third-party mediation, appeared less enthusiastic about broader negotiations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance reportedly engaged both sides before the ceasefire announcement and said the parties had agreed to open talks at a neutral site.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2025
Sources: News Agencies
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