Diary

ANKARA (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Israel continues its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 23,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 59,000 others since Oct. 7. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell have been making efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading as tension rises in the wake of the assassination of Hamas deputy chief Saleh Arouri in a suspected Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

Ramallah - Security tension continues with Israel’s almost daily raids into cities and towns in the West Bank, where the death toll since Oct. 7 has risen to 337, and a total of 5,680 Palestinians have been detained.

LEBANON

Beirut - Escalating military confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah on the southern borders continue, resulting in casualties on both sides. As part of efforts for de-escalation, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock meets top Lebanese officials in Beirut. UN Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix also pays a visit to the Lebanese capital.

UK

London - The International Development Committee to hear evidence on the situation in Gaza from UNRWA's chief of health in Gaza Dr Ghada Al Jabda, and Medical Aid for Palestinians Director of Advocacy and Campaigns Rohan Talbot.

London - Foreign Secretary David Cameron to give evidence at a Foreign Affairs Committee session on the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Questions on the latest situation in Gaza are likely to be asked.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists.

IRAN

Tehran - Deputy Speaker of Azerbaijan's National Assembly Fezail Ibrahimli will conduct three-day visit to Iran, where he will participate in meetings of the committees of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Parliamentary Union.

UKRAINE

Kyiv - The National Security, Defense and Intelligence Committee of Verkhovna Rada, the parliament, expected to announce its decision on mobilization bill.

KYRGYZSTAN

Astana - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet his Kyrgyz counterpart Jeenbek Kulubayev in Kyrgyztan to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, current regional and international issues.

SPORTS

Istanbul/Athens - Fenerbahce Beko to host Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, while Anadolu Efes to face Panathinaikos AKTOR in Round 20 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

THE ECONOMY

Berlin – Germany’s Destatis to reveal industrial production data for November. In October, Germany's industrial output dropped for the fifth consecutive month, down 0.4% month-on-month. The figure is expected to grow 0.2% in November.

Washington – US to share foreign trade figures for November.

SPECIAL REPORTS

South Africa will win order in ICJ case with ‘very significant consequences for Israel’: Veteran lawyer

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul – Interview with international human rights lawyer Francis Boyle about South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Boyle, who won two requests at the ICJ on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, shares a positive assessment about South Africa’s chances of success, saying he expects the court to issue a “cease and desist order against Israel for genocide against the Palestinians.”

He also explains in detail the consequences of such an order, laying out the various ways in which it could impact Israel, including potential repercussions through UN organs and the possibility of economic sanctions.

Israeli officials should be ‘judged and jailed’ in The Hague for Gaza crimes: Jewish rabbi

By Burak Bir

London – Interview with Haim Sofer, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi who is a staunch anti-Zionist, about Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

Sofer calls for accountability of Israeli government officials for their “war crimes” in Gaza, voicing support for South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ. He also shares his views on what he calls the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel, explaining the issue through religious and historical context.

Sofer also urges the international community to make greater efforts to stop the deadly campaign being conducted against Palestinians by “Zionist war criminals.”

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with international human rights lawyer Francis Boyle about South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, where he shares a positive assessment about chances of an order against Israel and explains the various ways in which such a decision could impact Tel Aviv.

VIDEO – Interview with Haim Sofer, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and staunch anti-Zionist, about the Gaza conflict, who calls for accountability of Israeli government officials for their “war crimes” in Gaza and voices support for South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.