Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

PALESTINE
Gaza Strip – Israel shows no sign of slowing down its deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 21,822 Palestinians and injured 56,451 others since Oct. 7, while more than 1,000 children in the territory have had one or more limbs amputated as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the war will take “many more months” to end and Tel Aviv will hold security control of the seaside enclave following the war.

Ramallah – The Israeli army continues its military raids into Palestinian towns in the occupied West Bank, with at least 527 Palestinians killed, 3,800 others injured and nearly 4,876 others detained by Israeli forces in the occupied territory since Oct. 7 amid a massive military offensive on the Gaza Strip.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv – Egyptian mediation efforts continue for an agreement between Israel and Hamas to exchange prisoners amid media reports of a visit by an Egyptian delegation to Tel Aviv to put in place a framework for a new cease-fire, though the sides do not appear to be close to an agreement. Hamas is believed to be holding 129 Israeli hostages. A previous swap deal in November saw the release of 84 Israelis and 24 foreigners by Hamas in exchange for 240 Palestinians from Israeli jails, including 71 women and 169 children.

LEBANON
Beirut – Cross-border fire continues between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah in the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their last war in 2006. More than 160 people, including nearly 30 Lebanese civilians, have been killed since the clashes first erupted on Oct. 8, according to Lebanese figures.

US

Washington - Statements from the Biden administration on Gaza and potential pro-Palestine demonstrations.