Yasin Gungor
04 December 2025•Update: 04 December 2025
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including Israel's killing of five Gazans in its latest ceasefire violation, the EU's decision to phase out natural gas imports from Russia by 2027, and China opposing “interference” in Venezuela.
TOP STORIES
Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in the southern Gaza Strip in a new violation of a ceasefire agreement.
Two children were among the victims in the attacks, which targeted tents sheltering displaced civilians in a refugee camp in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis.
The strikes came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to “respond accordingly” to the injury of soldiers in clashes with Palestinian fighters in Rafah.
The European Council and the European Parliament agreed on a provisional deal to phase out Russian natural gas imports by 2027.
The regulation requires all member states to submit national diversification plans detailing how they will diversify gas supplies and what challenges they expect, with the aim of ending all Russian gas imports within the deadlines.
Hungary vowed to immediately launch a legal challenge once the EU plan is formally adopted.
China voiced opposition to “external forces” interfering in Venezuela’s affairs as US military operations across Latin America expand.
“China opposes any action that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter or infringes on the sovereignty and security of other countries,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular news conference in Beijing.
Beijing “opposes external forces interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs” under any pretext, he added.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- US President Donald Trump said phase two of his Gaza plan is “going to happen pretty soon."
- US President Donald Trump said his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin still wants to end the war with Ukraine.
- The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting key affiliates of the Venezuela-based gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) for money laundering.
- A UN spokesman urged the full reopening of the Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid and civilian movement as conflicting reports emerged from Israel and Egypt about whether operations at the key entry point would soon resume.
- Israeli prosecutors resumed questioning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Tel Aviv District Court over the corruption charges against him.
- The Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad returned the remains of another Israeli hostage in northern Gaza under a ceasefire agreement.
- Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said that any violation of a member state’s sovereignty represents a direct threat to the bloc’s collective security, reaffirming their rejection of the use of force or threats against any GCC country in their final communique at the 46th summit in Manama, Bahrain.
- Russia claimed that another Ukrainian settlement went under control of its forces over the past day.
- Somalia’s prime minister dismissed US President Donald Trump’s derogatory comments about Somalia and Somali immigrants in the US.
BUSINNESS & ECONOMY
The European Commission proposed a €90 billion ($105 billion) support package for Ukraine covering 2026-2027, combining joint EU borrowing with proceeds from immobilized Russian assets in Europe.
President Ursula von der Leyen noted that the IMF estimates that Ukraine will need €135 billion over the next two years to sustain essential state functions and continue its defense efforts.
She said the EU is ready to cover two-thirds of that amount, €90 billion, while calling on international partners to provide the rest.
At least nine Japanese firms' US affiliates, including Toyota Tsusho and Sumitomo Chemical, have filed a lawsuit seeking full refunds for additional tariffs paid this year if the US Supreme Court rules the tariffs are illegal.
The companies argue that the Trump administration's "reciprocal" tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act without congressional approval are unlawful.
