Monday, January 19, 2026
Gaza Humanitarian Response
Second immunization round launched – UNICEF, WHO, and partners began a 12-day routine immunization catch-up campaign targeting children under three across Gaza from January 18-29. The effort deploys 170 vaccination teams at 129 facilities plus seven mobile units, following successful first-round coverage of over 14,000 children in November. Nearly a quarter of vaccinated children had missed scheduled doses due to conflict disruptions, while current challenges include 449 killed and over 1,246 injured since the ceasefire began, with only half of Gaza's 36 hospitals partially functional.
Sudan Crisis
Siege preparations detected around El Obeid – Yale Humanitarian Research Lab satellite analysis identified new earthworks and embankments along exit routes from North Kordofan's capital, suggesting possible siege preparations by Sudanese Armed Forces. Imagery shows 800 new displacement tents in the city's north-central area, with approximately 100 new burial mounds representing 60 additional graves. An estimated 42,780 people were displaced across North Kordofan between October 25 and December 30, 2025, with El Obeid serving as a key transit point for civilians fleeing southern areas.
Middle East Diplomacy
Putin invited to Trump's Gaza peace board – The Kremlin announced that Vladimir Putin has been invited to join Trump's "board of peace" established to oversee Gaza ceasefire implementation. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia is clarifying "all the nuances" before responding, while Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will attend Davos this week to meet US delegation members. The board's founding executive members include Trump as chair, Tony Blair, Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga, with membership offered to leaders of Argentina, Paraguay, Turkey, Egypt, Canada, Thailand, and Belarus. France declined participation citing concerns over the board's broader aspirations beyond Gaza.
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