ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - October 18, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - October 18, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Leader of Hamas Confirmed Killed in Gaza
• Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Prime Minister Hasina
• "African Dawn" Video Game Mod Promotes Russian Geopolitical Messages in Burkina Faso

Leader of Hamas Confirmed Killed in Gaza

Israeli military officials confirmed that the head of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, was killed in an Israeli strike in the southern Gazan city of Rafah on October 16, 2024. While a blow to Hamas, Sinwar’s death is not likely to significantly impact the fighting in the Gaza Strip in the near term, particularly amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in Jabalia, aimed at confronting thousands of Hamas fighters that remain in the northern portion of the enclave. Furthermore, following the confirmation, former war cabinet minister and prominent Knesset member Benny Gantz stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “will continue to operate” in some capacity in “the Gaza Strip for years to come.”

Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Prime Minister Hasina

On October 17, 2024, a Bangladeshi court issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to India on August 5 after weeks of violent nationwide protests. The order requires Hasina to appear in court on November 18. Hasina has reportedly not appeared publicly since her ouster and was last known to be staying at an Indian airbase in New Delhi. Her presence in India has caused tension with Bangladesh. Formerly close relations between the two neighbors have cooled significantly over Indian allegations that Bangladeshi Hindus were systematically targeted with violence during the upheaval that followed Hasina’s exile, a claim Bangladesh refutes.

"African Dawn" Video Game Mod Promotes Russian Geopolitical Messages in Burkina Faso

A Russian influence operation has developed a scenario for popular video game Hearts of Iron IV, called African Dawn, which promotes Russian geopolitical messaging. The game lets players take control of a country and manage its military, economic, and cultural challenges. The scenario pits the Alliance of Sahel States, composed of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, against the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Using video games as a tool of influence and propaganda may provide a new avenue for disseminating messages to young people.