Global Conflicts Escalate: Church Bombing, Russian Strikes, and Gaza Developments

At least 22 people were killed and 63 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria. The attacker, affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), opened fire before detonating an explosive vest during a service on Sunday evening. The church, located in the Dweila neighborhood, was heavily damaged, with a destroyed altar, broken glass, and blood spattered on the walls. The Syrian interior ministry said the attack was carried out by an IS affiliate, although the group did not claim responsibility. The attack was condemned by the UN and US, and the Syrian government vowed to continue efforts towards civil peace.

A suicide bomber attacked a Greek Orthodox church in Dweila, Syria, on Sunday, killing at least 20 people and wounding 52 others. The bomber opened fire before detonating an explosives vest inside the Mar Elias Church, which was filled with people praying. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with some reporting that children were among the casualties. The Syrian Interior Ministry attributed the attack to an extremist from the Islamic State group. No group claimed responsibility, but the Syrian government condemned the attack as a "cowardly act" and vowed to continue efforts to combat extremist organizations.

The Islamic State is believed to be behind a deadly suicide bombing at a Greek Orthodox church in Syria, killing at least 22 people and injuring 63 others. The attack occurred at the Mar Elias Church in Dweil'a, on the outskirts of Damascus, during prayer. The perpetrator opened fire on worshipers before detonating himself. Syrian officials, including the Interior Ministry spokesman, suggested ISIS was likely responsible, and the country's foreign ministry described the attack as a "desperate attempt to undermine national coexistence and destabilize the country." The attack drew international condemnation, with the US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria denouncing the "terrible acts of cowardice."

At least 22 people were killed and 63 injured when a suicide bomber opened fire at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, before detonating an explosive vest. Witnesses described the perpetrator having his face covered and blowing himself up as crowds tried to remove him. The attack, claimed to be carried out by Islamic State, is the first successful one since Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December, and occurred while around 350 worshippers were praying. Children were among the casualties, and footage showed destruction inside the church. Syrian and Greek officials condemned the attack, with Syria pledging to combat criminal organisations and Greece calling for measures to guarantee Christian safety.

A Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight killed at least seven people and injured 31. The attack lasted for hours and damaged a five-story apartment building, which was left smoldering in ruin, and nearby buildings, with firefighters working to control the flames.

At least seven people were killed and several injured in a Russian missile and drone attack on the Kyiv region, with six of the deaths occurring in a high-rise building in the capital. The attack, which targeted residential areas, hospitals, and sports infrastructure, was part of a larger barrage that saw 352 Russian drones and 16 missiles target Ukrainian territory, mostly in the Kyiv area. The Ukrainian capital is still reeling from a previous attack on Tuesday that left at least 28 people dead and over 100 injured.

A Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killed at least 5 people and injured others, with rescue crews searching for people trapped under a partially collapsed apartment building. The attack occurred nearly a week after a previous Russian attack killed 28 people in Kyiv, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it one of the biggest bombardments of the war. Elsewhere in Ukraine, another person was killed and 8 injured in the city of Bila Tserkva. The strikes hit residential areas, hospitals, and sports infrastructure in numerous districts across Kyiv, with the most severe damage occurring in the Shevchenkivskyi district.

A residential building in Tel Aviv was damaged in an Iranian missile attack that injured over 20 people. CNN's Jeremy Diamond accompanied resident Jeremy Zetland as he surveyed the damage to his home.

The Israeli military has recovered the remains of three hostages held in Gaza, identified as Yonatan Samerano, 21, Ofra Keidar, 70, and Shay Levinson, 19, who were killed during Hamas' October 7, 2023, terrorist attack. The military did not provide details about the recovery operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the campaign to return hostages continues alongside the campaign against Iran, and Israel will not rest until all abductees are returned home. Hamas is still holding 50 hostages, with fewer than 25 believed to be alive, and has demanded a deal involving the release of Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for their release.

Israel has recovered the remains of three hostages held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023, attack. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a special operation on Saturday, retrieving the bodies of Ofra Keidar, 71, Yonatan Samerano, 21, and Shay Levinson, 19, from Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters confirmed the identities of the recovered hostages, expressing condolences to their families and stating that their return provides some comfort after 625 days of uncertainty. The IDF credited precise intelligence from the Israel Security Agency, the Hostage Task Force, and the IDF Intelligence Directorate for the successful operation.

Israeli forces have recovered the remains of three hostages from the Gaza Strip, identified as Yonatan Samerano, 21, Ofra Keidar, 70, and Shay Levinson, 19, who were killed during a Hamas militant attack on October 7, 2023. The Hostages Families Forum has called for a deal to release the remaining 50 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, but Hamas has demanded a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.