Diary

Here are main topics Anadolu’s English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City – Israeli onslaught on Gaza Strip continues, killing more than 160 Palestinians and injuring around 300 in latest attacks, raising total toll since Oct. 7 to 22,600 dead and 57,910 injured, most of them women and children.

Ramallah - Israeli army's almost daily incursions into cities and towns in West Bank continue, in which 5,660 Palestinians have been detained since Oct. 7, according to Palestinian sources. Israeli army says 2,600 Palestinians were detained.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv – Tensions rise between Israeli Cabinet and military after National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized a committee formed by Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to investigate Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Disagreement broke out over several matters, including committee membership.

LEBANON

Beirut – Lebanese Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said group carried out 670 operations against Israel over past three months. Nasrallah vows retaliation following assassination of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri this week, saying it “cannot and will not go unanswered or unpunished.” Ongoing tension between Hezbollah and Israel since Oct. 8 is deadliest fighting since two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.

TÜRKİYE

Istanbul – Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss Israel’s attacks on Gaza, regional issues, and bilateral relations. No news conference is expected. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to receive Blinken as well for talks.

JAPAN​​​​​​​

Ishikawa - Death toll from New Year's earthquakes in Japan climbed to 100 with more than 210 missing, plus thousands living in evacuation centers. Following aftermath.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Blinken in Türkiye as war in Gaza, Sweden's NATO bid, F-16 sale top agenda

By Iclal Turan

Washington – Report on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Türkiye on first leg of his fourth Middle East tour since Oct. 7 Hamas attack, in addition to two stops in Europe.

Includes comments by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

In addition to background on issues set to be tackled, also includes analysis of Turkish-US ties in light of Blinken’s visit by Rich Outzen, retired US colonel and a nonresident senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council.

Americans remain divided 3 years after Jan. 6 Capitol riot as Trump set to stand trial

By Darren Lyn

Houston, United States – Report on third anniversary since pro-Trump protesters violently stormed Capitol building in Washington, D.C. to try and stop certification of Joe Biden’s election as next president, a flashpoint in American history that has drastically changed political climate.

So far, more than 1,200 defendants have been charged with crimes for their alleged roles in Jan. 6, 2021 attack, with more than 700 already pleading guilty to mostly misdemeanors such as illegal picketing and destruction of property, and more than 100 being convicted by federal juries for more serious crimes such as assaulting police officers and a rare Civil War-era count of sedition.

European countries oppose Israeli idea of Gaza population's forced relocation

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

Geneva – Report on European countries’ shifting stance on Israel's handling of Gaza, particularly rejecting proposal by Israeli Cabinet ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for forced relocation of population in besieged strip.

Story explains that France, UK, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Slovenia, and EU have condemned the idea, stating that Israel does not have the right to decide where Palestinians should live.

They emphasize that any forced population transfer would violate international law, including Geneva Convention and Rome Statute.

Bangladesh on edge as shadow of opposition boycott looms large over elections

By Faisal Mahmud

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Report on Bangladesh's national election on Sunday, marred by opposition boycotts, with polls expected to result in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina securing her fourth consecutive term.

Story explains that main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted poll, declaring a 48-hour nationwide shutdown.

Reports tells of concerns over voter turnout, vote rigging, and potential negative aftermath, with worries about Western countries' reactions and possible sanctions.

Includes comments from prominent election observer and civil society activist Badiul Alam Majumder and Abdul Moyeen Khan, BNP senior leader.