Israeli troops have reached the outskirts of Gaza City, preparing to encircle the area and relocate residents as part of a new military phase. At the same time, Israel approved thousands of new settlements in the occupied West Bank, moves that have drawn swift condemnation from world leaders and raised concerns about the prospects for a cease-fire or a future Palestinian state. Experts suggest these actions reflect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to appease hard-line members of his coalition, potentially increasing Israel's isolation on the global stage. In other news, Russia is intensifying its push to seize Ukrainian territory, while China's leader Xi Jinping made a rare visit to Tibet, emphasizing tighter control over the region. Additional headlines include deadly flooding in Mumbai, a fatal bus crash in Afghanistan, and the discovery of a new moon orbiting Uranus.