International

At least 35 dead in a new Israeli attack in northern Gaza

At least 35 people, including numerous children, died in the last few hours in an Israeli bombing of a residential complex in Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip.

The attack targeted a block with five houses in a western neighborhood of Beit Lahia, according to local sources quoted by the Palestinian agency Wafa and Al Jazeera.

Health collapse

This Saturday, the Civil Defense was overwhelmed by the number of calls for help from bombed homes in the north of the enclave.

The lack of ambulances and the Israeli blockade of the attacked areas is complicating the rescue operations of people who are trapped in the rubble.

In addition, the Indonesian and Kamal Adwan hospitals are not functioning due to the collapse of the health system.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

In the latter center, at least 44 health workers and several patients were detained by Israeli forces after the siege launched yesterday, according to the regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Middle East, Hanan Balkhy.

The person in charge, who cites the Gaza Ministry of Health, said that only a group of health personnel and the director of the hospital remain in the center, in addition to a doctor who was not arrested.

His message comes after a day of siege to what was one of the few hospitals in operation in the punished north of Gaza, where a harsh Israeli offensive that began more than three weeks ago has already claimed the lives of about 800 people and has forced tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee.

Israel attacks the Salah al-Din complex

On the other hand, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported a “precise attack against terrorists” operating within a command and control center located within a complex called Salah al-Din, which previously served as a school in Gaza.

According to the IDF, members of the Islamist group Hamas operated in that place, without adding further information.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

In the last two days, the Israeli attacks in the Strip have killed 77 people and 289 others have been injured, figures that do not include data from the hospitals in the north of the enclave, subjected to this harsh offensive.

Since the war began more than a year ago, 42,924 people have died and more than 100,800 have been injured in the devastated Palestinian enclave, according to data from Gaza hospitals.

In addition, it is estimated that the bodies of thousands of missing people continue to be buried under the rubble.

International

Mexican Navy Ships Deliver Third Shipment of Humanitarian Aid to Cuba

Two logistics support vessels from the Mexican Navy — the ARM Papaloapan and the ARM Huasteco — docked again on Friday in the bay of Havana carrying a third shipment of humanitarian aid for Cuba.

The vessels had previously arrived on the Caribbean island on February 28 with a second cargo that included 1,200 tons of food, sent to help alleviate the country’s ongoing crisis, which has worsened following the U.S. oil restrictions affecting fuel supplies to the island.

Cuba’s deputy foreign minister Josefina Vidal confirmed the new shipment in a social media post.

“Two ships carrying a third shipment of aid from the Government and the people of Mexico for the Cuban people are now arriving at the port of Havana. Thank you Mexico for your solidarity with Cuba,” she wrote.

Previous aid shipments

During the second shipment, the Papaloapan transported 1,078 tons of beans and powdered milk, while the Huastecocarried 92 tons of beans and 23 tons of assorted food products collected by social organizations with support from the government of Mexico City.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

In recent months, Mexico has become the largest provider of humanitarian aid to Cuba, sending around 2,000 tons of supplies, mostly staple foods and hygiene products, in the two shipments prior to Friday’s delivery.

The first shipment alone included 814 tons of food.

Cuba praises Mexico’s support

Hours before the ships arrived, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel highlighted Mexico’s support during a televised appearance, describing the country as “a friendly and brotherly nation that has shown tremendous solidarity,”particularly praising Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Díaz-Canel also addressed reports suggesting that Mexican donations were being resold in state-run stores, dismissing them as a “disinformation campaign” promoted by right-wing groups.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

International

Ecuador Declares 60-Day National Emergency After Deadly Floods and Landslides

Ecuador has declared a 60-day national emergency to address the impact of a severe rainy season that has left 11 people dead and more than 50,000 affected since January, the government’s disaster management authority announced Friday.

Prolonged heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms have caused river overflows and landslides, mainly in the coastal provinces of Guayas, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, Manabí and Santa Elena, as well as in the Andean provinces of Lojaand Chimborazo.

According to the Secretariat for Risk Management of Ecuador, the emergency declaration was issued “due to the level of impact caused nationwide on the population, the road network, infrastructure, and livelihoods.”

“The emergency declaration is aimed at responding to the effects and negative impacts and preventing their further spread,” the agency said in a statement.

International

Trump Pushes for Regime Change in Cuba as Havana Confirms Talks With Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire for political change in Cuba, located just 150 kilometers from the United States. Washington considers the island an “exceptional threat,” citing its close ties with Russia, Chinaand Iran, longtime allies of Havana.

Trump has urged Cuba to “reach a deal” with Washington or face consequences, as the island struggles with a severe energy crisis that has nearly paralyzed its economy after the United States cut oil shipments from Venezuela, its main fuel supplier. The U.S. has also warned other countries against selling fuel to Havana.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuban officials have recently held talks with representatives of the U.S. government. The statement came during a meeting with senior members of the ruling Communist Party of Cuba and the executive committee of the Council of Ministers, according to footage broadcast on Cuban television.

“These conversations have been aimed at seeking solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences that exist between our two nations,” Díaz-Canel said.

Reports of intermediaries and possible negotiations

According to television images, among those attending the meeting was Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. Although he holds no official government position, U.S. media have identified him as a possible interlocutor with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in what have been described as secret discussions between Washington and Havana.

20260224_estafa_mh_728x90

For some Cubans, any potential agreement with Washington is viewed pragmatically. “As long as it benefits us, we can reach an agreement — but on our terms,” said Sergio Guerra, a 55-year-old agricultural vendor, speaking to AFP.

Díaz-Canel’s remarks confirm earlier statements by Trump, who indicated in January that his administration had already begun contacts with senior Cuban officials.

Mexico calls for diplomacy

Meanwhile, Mexico welcomed the possibility of dialogue after recently sending more than 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba to help mitigate the crisis.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country would always promote peace and diplomatic dialogue, particularly in response to what she described as the long-standing injustice of the U.S. embargo on the Cuban people.