In a tumultuous day for world news, two vastly different crises converged on November 17, 2025, sending ripples of concern across the globe. In Dhaka, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal for her alleged role in ordering a deadly crackdown on student protesters in 2024. Simultaneously, in the Middle East, reports emerged of Israeli forces killing Palestinians despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, as the United Nations Security Council prepared to vote on a resolution to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza.
Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal delivered a landmark verdict on November 17, 2025, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia. The tribunal found Hasina, who has been living in exile in India since August 2024, guilty of crimes against humanity. The charges stemmed from the government’s violent suppression of a student-led uprising in July-August 2024, which resulted in a significant loss of life, with UN estimates suggesting up to 1,400 people were killed and thousands injured. Hasina was convicted of inciting violence, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities during the crackdown. Her co-accused, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, also received a death sentence, while former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was given a five-year prison term for cooperating with prosecutors.
Hasina, through her representatives, has denounced the verdict, labeling the tribunal a “politically motivated charade” and asserting she did not receive a “fair chance” to defend herself. Concerns have also been raised by international bodies, including the UN Human Rights Office, which regretted the imposition of the death penalty and highlighted issues surrounding fair-trial standards in absentia. The sentencing has heightened political volatility in Bangladesh, with unrest including crude bomb explosions and arson attacks reported in the capital, Dhaka, in the days leading up to the verdict. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has maintained a heavy security presence across the country.
Gaza Ceasefire Violations and Humanitarian Crisis
In parallel, the fragile situation in Gaza remained a critical focus of global news. Reports indicated that Israeli forces had killed at least three Palestinians on November 17, 2025, in a new violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025. Further reports on November 20, 2025, detailed escalating violence, with Israeli airstrikes killing 33 Palestinians, including 12 children, in what residents described as a new, deadly status quo. Since the truce began, at least 266 Palestinians have been killed and 635 wounded by Israeli attacks, according to one account, while other reports indicate higher figures.
Humanitarian organizations continue to report that Israel is restricting the entry of vital aid into the Gaza Strip, exacerbating the dire situation for the population. UNICEF estimates that over 600,000 Palestinian children have missed school during the conflict. These ongoing hostilities underscore the precariousness of the peace efforts and the severe human cost in the region.
UN Security Council Authorizes International Force for Gaza
Amidst the volatile situation on the ground, the UN Security Council on November 17, 2025, adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution authorizing the establishment of a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. The resolution endorses a U.S.-backed “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,” which includes a Board of Peace (BoP) to oversee transitional governance and reconstruction efforts. The ISF, operating under the BoP’s authority, is tasked with securing Gaza’s borders, protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian aid, and supporting the demilitarization of armed groups, including Hamas. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor, with China and Russia abstaining. This move signals a significant international effort to stabilize the region and pave the way for post-conflict recovery, though the full implementation and effectiveness of the force remain to be seen.
Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian Statehood
In parallel with the UN vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his firm opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Speaking on November 16 and 17, 2025, Netanyahu stated that a Palestinian state would not be established, describing it as an “existential threat to Israel”. His stance came as the U.S.-backed UN resolution opened a potential “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood, indicating a division between Israeli leadership and international diplomatic efforts. Netanyahu’s position also complicates normalization efforts with Saudi Arabia, which has insisted on progress toward a two-state solution. The Prime Minister faced protests from his far-right coalition allies over statements perceived as yielding to U.S. pressure on the issue.
These converging events highlight a day of profound geopolitical significance, marked by ongoing conflict, major legal judgments, and critical diplomatic maneuvering as the world watches the unfolding news from Bangladesh and the Middle East.