Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

PALESTINE

Gaza Strip - The death toll has risen above 21,500, with nearly 56,000 injured in Israeli bombardments on Gaza Strip. Catastrophic humanitarian conditions and hunger persist in the enclave, where nearly 40% of the population is at risk of famine as announced by UN, as Israel allows only a trickle of food, water, fuel, and other supplies into the blockaded territory.

The Israeli army has killed 106 Palestinian journalists in 84 days of continued intense attacks. The Gaza Media Office said another journalist was killed in an attack by the Israeli army on the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip.

It indicated that a Al-Quds TV journalist was killed in the attack, bringing to 106 the number of journalists killed in Gaza since Oct. 7.

Ramallah - Israeli army continues its raids into Palestinian towns in occupied West Bank, with at least 318 Palestinians killed, and over 4,800 others detained by Israeli forces in occupied territory since Oct. 7. At least four Palestinians were injured, and several others were detained in raids conducted by Israeli army on Saturday. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Israeli forces carried out raids in the early hours in Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Ramallah.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border fire continues between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah in deadliest clashes between two sides since their last war in 2006. Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli military sites along Lebanon’s southern border on Friday. Israel fired heavy machine gun fire on the outskirts of the town of Al-Bustan from its positions adjacent to the town of Ayta Al-Shaab, the official Lebanese National News Agency reported. More than 150 people, including nearly 30 Lebanese civilians, have been killed since clashes first erupted on Oct. 8, according to Lebanese figures.

EUROPE

UKRAINE

Kyiv - At least 30 people were killed and over 160 others injured as Russia launched Friday a wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine that included nearly 160 strikes across the eastern country. Of the 158 attacks that targeted critical infrastructure and military facilities, 114 were intercepted, Kyiv said. The UN has confirmed some 29,113 civilian casualties in Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.

TÜRKİYE

ISTANBUL - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend an awards program to be held at the Ataturk Cultural Center.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Senior Hamas leader welcomes international forces ‘if they aim to liberate Palestine’

BEIRUT (AA) - A Hamas leader announced that the group welcomes international forces to Palestinian territories to liberate Palestine and simultaneously emphasized the rejection of any forces as an alternative to “Zionist occupation.”

In an interview with Anadolu, Osama Hamdan responded to a question about the Palestinian resistance group’s stance on the arrival of international forces to the Gaza Strip.

Turkish president intensified diplomatic contacts in 2023, especially on Gaza

By Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan carried out intense diplomacy traffic throughout 2023 with 21 visits to 15 countries and attending seven summits.

Erdogan, who intensified his international contacts after Türkiye's general elections in May, brought developments in Gaza to the agenda at every meeting he held with world leaders since the beginning of Israeli attacks on Oct. 7.

He also hosted leaders during the year.

Israeli blacklisting, intimidation network in US: Canary Mission

By Ahmet Dursun and Burak Dag

ANKARA (AA) - The data of Canary Mission, an internet site, attempts to impede the career progression of academics and students, including Jews who support Palestine by publishing profiles, and is utilized as an intelligence source by Israel.

The platform, established in 2014, has been creating a "blacklist" by labeling pro-Palestinian supporters, including Jews who oppose Israeli violence, as antisemitic to hinder careers.

Canary Mission has been compiling information about academics and students and publishing information without permission to discredit and intimidate Palestine supporters.