As 2024 draws to a close, it has undeniably been a year marked by war, loss, famine, and widespread destruction.
Numerous significant events throughout the year have captured global attention, highlighting the ongoing global crises.
Middle East conflict:
The ongoing war between Hamas and Israel, which began on October 7, 2023, continues to ravage the Middle East, with no signs of resolution in sight.
The Israeli military’s operation against Hamas, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, has resulted in catastrophic loss of life and widespread destruction.
With the backing of Netanyahu, the Zionist forces, determined to eliminate Hamas, have so far killed more than 44,000 innocent Palestinians, while more than 100,000 have been injured.
Thousands of families have been displaced, their homes reduced to rubble as Israel’s airstrikes and ground operations target Gaza.
Northern Gaza, in particular, is in ruins, with entire neighborhoods wiped out. The humanitarian situation has spiraled, with hunger, poverty, and famine gripping the region.
The international community, despite calls for peace, has largely remained silent, with only limited intervention aimed at easing the humanitarian crisis.
Uncertain Accidents/Deaths in 2024:
In 2024, the world witnessed a series of significant and tragic events that captured global attention:
In January, two powerful explosions rocked a ceremony in Iran marking the fourth anniversary of former General Qasem Soleimani’s assassination, resulting in the deaths of 103 people and injuring hundreds more.
In April 2024, a devastating helicopter crash near the Iranian border with Azerbaijan killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several of his ministers.
On July 30, an Israeli airstrike in Beirut targeted and killed Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah’s top military commander, a man with a $5 million bounty on his head set by the United States.
On July 31, Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’s political wing, was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, during an attack on his residence that also claimed the life of his security guard.
In September 2024, a plane crashed in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, killing all 62 people on board, including the crew members.
September 20: An Israeli strike killed Ibrahim Aqeel, the head of Hezbollah’s elite Redwan Force, along with 15 other commanders. Lebanese officials reported that 55 people, most of them civilians, died in the attack.
On September 27, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by an Israeli airstrike, just one day before Israel launched attacks in southern Lebanon, a Hezbollah stronghold.
On October 17, Israel confirmed the killing of Yahya Al-Sinwar, the newly elected leader of Hamas, in Gaza. His death was a significant blow to the Palestinian group, which has been engaged in ongoing conflict with Israel since the October 7, 2023, attack.
Election Year:
The year 2024 has been a significant election year globally, with more than 30 countries holding elections across continents, from the United States to Europe and Asia.
The first election began in Bangladesh, where voters cast their ballots early in the year. The political landscape shifted dramatically across the world, with elections held in various nations.
In South Asia, Pakistan and India held key elections. In Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif retained his position as Prime Minister, while in neighboring India, Narendra Modi secured another term in office, continuing his leadership in the world’s largest democracy.
A particularly noteworthy event in Russia came in March 2024, when President Vladimir Putin extended his 24-year rule by securing another six-year term. This election came two years after the onset of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The election year concluded with a finale in the United States, where Donald Trump made a political comeback. On November 5, American voters gave Trump a significant victory, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. political history.
International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Israeli PM:
On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging him with war crimes.
Earlier in May 2024, the ICC’s Chief Prosecutor had applied for an arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials, accusing them of committing war crimes.
Paris Olympics 2024:
Paris hosted the Olympics for the first time since 1924, making it the first time Paris has hosted the 2024 Olympics in almost a century, having previously hosted the Olympics in 1900 and 1924.
Paris hosted the Summer Olympics 2024, marking the city’s first time in nearly a century since it last held the event in 1924.
Previously, Paris also welcomed the Games in 1900, making this the third time the French capital has been chosen as the Olympic host city.
Euro Cup Football 2024:
Spain emerged as the champions of Euro 2024, defeating England 2-1 in a thrilling final.
The match, held in Germany, saw Spain secure their third European Championship title, with their clinical performance proving decisive against a resilient England side.
Martial law in South Korea:
On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the imposition of martial law in the country.
However, just hours later, the decision was retracted following intense public outcry and strong demands from parliament.
The announcement of martial law had sparked widespread protests and condemnation, leading opposition parties to call for the president’s resignation.
Tensions between India and Canada:
Tensions between India and Canada flared in October 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Najjar, a Sikh leader and Canadian citizen, in Vancouver in June 2023.
The accusation led to a rapid deterioration of diplomatic relations, with both countries suspending diplomatic ties and expelling diplomats.
The diplomatic fallout intensified as the investigation into Najjar’s murder continued, with Canada demanding accountability.
As the situation remained unresolved, on November 23, 2023, the United States also raised concerns about India’s actions, opening a similar controversy and further complicating the geopolitical landscape between the nations.
Climate Change Impacts:
The year 2024 witnessed large-scale climate changes, with extreme weather events affecting nearly every corner of the globe.
Heatwaves, floods, unexpected rains, and hurricanes wreaked havoc, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.
Countries such as Japan, Thailand, France, and the United States were among those hit hardest, with thousands of lives lost due to powerful hurricanes and storms.
2024 has also been recorded as the hottest year in history, marking the first time global temperatures surpassed the critical threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
According to the Appernix Climate Change Service, October 2024 was the second warmest October on record, following only October 2023, underscoring the accelerating pace of climate change.
Russia-Ukraine War:
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the devastating human cost continues to rise, with significant casualties on both sides.
While Western estimates suggest that Ukraine has suffered fewer fatalities than Russia, the exact numbers remain a topic of debate and uncertainty.
American media reported that around 57,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed as of late 2024.
However, estimates from various Western sources indicate that the death toll on the Russian side is significantly higher.
According to a September 2024 report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 70,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the ongoing conflict.
Israeli attacks on Syria and Yemen:
Following its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, Israel has now launched a series of airstrikes on Syria, further escalating tensions in the region.
These attacks come amidst intense fighting between Syrian government forces and rebel groups.
In November 2024, over 300 people were reported martyred in the fierce clashes, with casualties mounting on both sides.
The situation in Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, has grown even more direr as rebel forces have gained control of the majority of the city.
