Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - The military and humanitarian developments in the Gaza Strip on the 108th day of the Israeli onslaught. The latest death toll from Israeli attacks in the enclave climbed to 25,105, with 62,681 others injured, most of whom are children and women. The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Gaza reported that 1,000 mosques have been destroyed, with 100 preachers having been killed since the offensive started.

Ramallah - The Israeli army raids continue across the West Bank. The raids have resulted in the death of 370 Palestinians with around 4,200 others injured. The number of arrests has risen to 6,170.

LEBANON

Beirut - Armed clashes continue along the border between Israel and Hezbollah since Oct. 8, 2023. One more Hezbollah fighter was killed in clashes with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

Confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have led to the deaths of 32 Lebanese civilians, including three journalists and three children. Additionally, one Lebanese army soldier and five members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, along with 163 Hezbollah members, have lost their lives.

On the Israeli side, Hezbollah's attacks have resulted in the deaths of six Israeli civilians and 10 soldiers, according to statements from the Israeli army and authorities in Tel Aviv.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - More demonstrations expected in Israel to demand end to war on Gaza and return of Israeli hostages. Israel witnessed demonstration on Saturday in Haifa's Paris Square, where hundreds of Israelis, both Jewish and Arab, called for end to war in Gaza Strip.

EGYPT

Cairo - The Arab League Council at the level of permanent representatives to hold extraordinary session at the headquarters of the Arab League General Secretariat in Cairo, in response to request from the State of Palestine, supported by a significant number of Arab countries, to discuss Israeli attacks on Palestinians.

SUDAN

Khartoum - Humanitarian situation due to conflict between Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which began on April 15, 2023. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that more than 13,000 people have been killed and another 26,000 injured.

YEMEN

Sanaa - The escalating tension in the southern Red Sea, with almost daily announcements of targeting of ships by the Houthis and response from US forces. On Saturday, US Central Command announced destroying anti-ship missile belonging to Houthis.

BELGIUM

Brussels - EU foreign ministers to meet, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joining via video link. Agenda includes Russia’s war on Ukraine, situation in Middle East. Informal exchanges also expected with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz in morning, with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi over lunch, and with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki in the afternoon. EU ministers are also expected to discuss plans for EU naval mission to protect ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - 154th meeting of the Executive Board of WHO to begin. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to deliver his report on opening day.

GERMANY

Berlin - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to host French President Emmanuel Macron on Franco-German Day, which celebrates economic, political, social and cultural cooperation between European neighbors France and Germany. Date marks anniversary of signing of the Elysee Treaty in 1963. Macron also scheduled to attend memorial service for former German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

FRANCE

Strasbourg - Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly to convene for winter session. Schedule includes discussion on early parliamentary elections held in Serbia.

UK

Twickhenham - International Armored Vehicles Conference and Exhibition to kick off amid protests from peace activists who argue that the event is organized by weapon dealers and it adds suffering to people in conflict zones across world.

NORTH MACEDONIA

Skopje - Summit of Open Balkan initiative and Western Balkans-EU summit on EU Growth Plan for region to gather leaders of countries in region.

CHINA

Beijing - Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Brown to pay five-day official visit to China from Monday until Jan. 28.

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.

INDIA

New Delhi - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead ceremony to consecrate grand new temple in Ayodhya. The construction of temple which started in 2020 has come up at the same site of 16th-century Babri Mosque that was demolished by Hindu hardliners in 1992, triggering violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims.

SPORTS

AUSTRALIA

Melbourne - Australian Open men’s, women’s singles round 4 matches to be played.

SPECIAL REPORTS

In ICJ case, Israel’s ‘arrogance of a colonial power’ gives away its genocidal intent in Gaza: Legal expert

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul - Interview with Penny Green, professor of law and globalization at Queen Mary University of London, about South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Green shares her assessment about the arguments put forward by both sides, particularly focusing on what she says was a “very unpersuasive” defense the Israeli legal team.

She says Israel’s attempts to deny its genocidal intent in Gaza are unlikely to hold up in court, largely because of the clear statements and abhorrent actions from its military and politicians.

Green also lays out other ways in which Israel’s legal team put up a “lackluster performance,” while also speaking about the strengths of South Africa’s case and presentation.

Carbon emissions and the climate costs of Israel’s war on Gaza

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report on the staggering carbon emissions being generated by Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

The story includes findings of a recent study on greenhouse gas emissions in the war, and an interview with Lennard de Klerk, lead author at the Initiative on GHG Accounting of War.

The expert shares data about the planet-warming emissions in Gaza and Israel’s military activities and offers a comparison with the Ukraine war.

He also highlights the climate costs of the Palestinian territory’s eventual reconstruction, explaining how and why that process will be particularly taxing in terms of dangerous emissions.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Penny Green, law and globalization professor at Queen Mary University of London, about South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel, focusing on what she views as the Israeli legal team’s failure to disprove charges of genocidal intent.

VIDEO - Interview with Lennard de Klerk, lead author at the Initiative on GHG Accounting of War, about the staggering carbon emissions and climate costs of Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.