West Bank tensions
At least four Israeli soldiers have been injured after an explosive device went off as they raided the eastern part of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus. According to Israeli military, the injured troops included an officer. They raided the area to protect Israeli settlers who stormed it to visit a historical monument. The regime’s forces used live fire and tear gas against Palestinians, injuring nearly 60 people. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades has claimed responsibility for the blast. A spokesman for Hamas resistance movement said the blast was a resounding message to Israeli extremist cabinet that its forces will not be safe anywhere in the occupied territories. It added that Israeli forces will be hit with more explosive devices if they continue terrorizing the peaceful Palestinian people.
Korean peninsula tensions
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea says it has conducted a tactical nuclear strike drill in response to joint military exercises by the US and the South. Pyongyang said the drill simulated scorched-earth strikes on South Korea's command posts and airfields. It said the drill was aimed at sending a clear message to the enemies and letting the country’s entire army make full preparations for war. It involved firing two short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan. The missile launches came concurrent with joint military drills by the US and South Korea, which included deployment of B-1B bombers. The joint exercises are viewed by the DPRK as rehearsals for invasion of its territory.
Gabon coup
Turning now to Gabon, where junta says it has named General Brice Oligui Nguema as the leader of transition in the country following the military takeover there. Nguema is the former head of the country’s presidential guard. This, after a group of military officers earlier said they had put President Ali Bongo under house arrest and seized power. It happened after the Central African state's election body announced Bongo had won a third term in a controversial vote. The officers claimed the election was not credible. They said they represented the armed forces. The vote was set to extend the Bongo family's more than half a century in power. On Wednesday, the junta announced a nightly curfew until further notice.