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Italy Advances Tougher Measures on Migrant Arrivals

ILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a bilateral meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance (not pictured), during his visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 6, 2026.  Italy’s government has approved a new migration bill that would grant authorities the power to impose temporary naval blockades during periods of intense pressure on the country’s borders. The proposal, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is designed to curb irregular sea crossings by restricting access to Italian territorial waters. The draft law would allow officials to bar vessels from entering for up to 30 days, with the option to extend the measure to six months if national security or public order is deemed at risk. The plan also strengthens border surveillance, increases penalties for human smuggling, and expands the list of offenses that can lead to deportation. Supporters argue the move is necessary to manage migration flows more effectively, whi...

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Yahya Sinwar: From Militant to Hamas Leader

 

Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks on Israel, has been announced as the new leader of the militant group Hamas . Here are some key points about Sinwar:

  1. Background and Early Life:

    • Born in 1962 in a refugee camp in Gaza’s Khan Younis, Sinwar was an early member of Hamas, which formed in 1987.
    • He led the group’s security arm, working to eliminate spies for Israel.
    • His ruthless reputation earned him the nickname “The Butcher of Khan Younis.”
  2. Imprisonment and Release:

    • Israel arrested Sinwar in the late 1980s, and he admitted to killing 12 suspected collaborators.
    • He was sentenced to four life terms, but in 2011, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released him in exchange for an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas.
  3. Rise to Power in Gaza:

    • Back in Gaza, Sinwar quickly climbed Hamas’ leadership ranks.
    • He orchestrated the 2016 killing of another top Hamas commander, Mahmoud Ishtewi, in an internal power struggle.
    • Sinwar became head of Hamas in Gaza, aligning the group with Iran and building its military capabilities.
  4. The October 7 Attack:

    • Sinwar, along with Mohammed Deif (head of Hamas’ armed wing), engineered the surprise attack on Israel.
    • The attack killed about 1,200 Israelis (mostly civilians) and sparked a war that claimed nearly 40,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza .
  5. Challenges Ahead:

    • Sinwar has been in hiding since the attack, making day-to-day operations challenging for Hamas .
    • As the new leader, he faces complex geopolitical dynamics and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In summary, Yahya Sinwar’s journey from a refugee camp to Hamas leader reflects both resilience and ruthlessness, shaping the group’s future under his leadership.

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