Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

GAZA STRIP - Following up on the field situation on all fronts after more than 500 people were killed in the Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital late Tuesday. Also monitoring the humanitarian and health situation in the Gaza Strip, which continues to deteriorate dangerously amid continuous Israeli bombing and international warnings.

ISRAEL

TEL AVIV - US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel.

SAUDI ARABIA

JEDDAH – An extraordinary open-ended session of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to be held on Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to attend.

TÜRKİYE

KAYSERI – Türkiye to carry out Erciyes-2023 Airborne Exercise to use airborne capabilities in other types of operations such as conventional and peace support operations. Along with Turkish Armed Forces, various elements from 9 friendly and allied countries will participate in the exercise.

FRANCE

STRASBOURG - European Parliament's plenary meeting to debate the latest developments in the Middle East.

BELGIUM

BRUSSELS - Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's visit following Monday's fatal shooting of two Swedish nationals.

UK

LONDON – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to respond to lawmakers’ questions. It is likely to see various questions on latest situation in Gaza and Israel.

LONDON - France, Germany, and the UK likely to announce that they would maintain nuclear proliferation-related measures on Iran, as well as arms and missile embargoes, in response to Iran's 'consistent and severe non-compliance' with commitments made under the nuclear deal known as the JCPOA.

CHINA

BEIJING — Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the 3d Forum of International Cooperation One Belt, One Road. He will also hold a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the forum.

BEIJING - 3rd Belt and Road Forum continues on 2nd day where world leaders, including UN chief, are expected to speak in different panels. Some 4,000 representatives from 140 nations and 30 international organizations are attending the 2-day global event.

US

WASHINGTON - Senate Foreign Relations Committee to hold hearing to consider nomination of Jacob Lew as US ambassador to Israel. Lew to appear at the hearing.

NEW YORK - UN Security Council to convene emergency meeting to address attack on al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. Members are also due to vote on Brazilian draft resolution calling for 'humanitarian pause' in Israel-Palestine conflict.

WASHINGTON - Thousands of people expected to attend mass demonstration organized by Jewish Voice for Peace demanding immediate cease-fire to Israel’s war on Gaza.

THE ECONOMY

ANKARA – Turkish Central Bank to release international investment position figures for August.

BEIJING – China to release GDP figures for Q3 and industrial production data for September.

LUXEMBOURG – Eurostat to share inflation figures for September. The figure has been decreasing since April, from 7% to 5.2% gradually and it is expected to continue this trend.

SPECIAL REPORT

Uncle of slain Palestinian-American boy blames media bias for brutal murder

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON – Interview with Yousef Hannon, an uncle of Wadea al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy who was murdered in a suspected hate crime in the US state of Illinois.

Hannon says US media’s bias in reporting on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and its amplification at the highest levels of the US government are to blame for the grisly Oct. 14 attack by a 71-year-old man, who also stabbed and injured Wadea’s mother.

He speaks about the dangers of the negative propaganda, saying they have given rise to “a kind of hatred” against Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims around the world.

Hannon calls for stronger action to counter it, particularly from the government and US authorities.

SPECIAL REPORT

Why is Ireland a bastion of support for Palestinians?

By Aysu Bicer

DUBLIN – Report exploring the reasons for the historically strong support found in Ireland for the Palestinian cause in Ireland.

The report explains the historical context and background of the pro-Palestine sentiment in the country, and how it transcends religious, ethnic or geographical ties.

It includes interviews with Gerry Carroll, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, along with some prominent pro-Palestine activists such as Sue Pentel and James Quigley, as well as common citizens.

SPECIAL REPORT

What could Israel face with Gaza ground offensive?

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL – Interview with Joost Hiltermann, MENA program director at the International Crisis Group, about Israel’s potential ground attack on the Gaza Strip.

Hiltermann details the factors that could be playing a part in Israel’s decision to launch or put off a ground attack, including domestic and international considerations.

He shares his assessment on the duration of the conflict, saying a cease-fire is unlikely at the moment, as well as the possible spillover into the wider region.

He also speaks about the role of international and regional actors, such as the US and Iran, as well as the possible implications for the governance of the Gaza Strip in the future.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEOS – Latest developments in Israel-Palestine conflict

Reports covering developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict, including packages from correspondents on the ground, updates about the overall situation and other major happenings.