Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City – Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip as the Israeli army intensified attacks on the besieged enclave since the conflict began on Oct. 7, with 26,083 Palestinians killed and another 64,487 injured. The Israeli army also intensified its ground offensive in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, by targeting displaced people in UNRWA shelters, as well as killing and injuring several displaced Palestinians in Gaza City who were attempting to get humanitarian aid.

Ramallah – Israeli incursions into cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have continued at an alarming pace since the offensive on Gaza began on Oct. 7. The latest death toll in the West Bank has risen to nearly 373, with 4200 others injured. The Israeli army has detained 6,255 Palestinians during such incursions in the occupied West Bank.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv – People in Israel continued to protest the government in Tel Aviv, demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The Hamas group has released a video of three hostage women, likely increasing public pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu's government to consider a hostage swap with Hamas and expedite efforts to do so.

Various Israeli groups are expected to respond to the first ruling of the top UN court

LEBANON

Beirut - Tensions between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah persist along the border. Hezbollah announced on Friday that its fighters had attacked a group of Israeli soldiers near Hounin Castle with appropriate weapons. Separately, the Lebanese official news agency reported that Israel had shelled several areas in southern Lebanon.

YEMEN

Sanaa – Tensions in the Red Sea remained high as Yemen's Houthis continued to attack commercial ships, while the US and UK continued to strike Houthis in Yemen. The group has vowed to continue targeting Israel-linked ships in support of the Palestinian people, who are being attacked and killed in the Gaza Strip as well as in various cities and towns in the occupied West Bank.

SPORTS

Ivory Coast – Round of 16 matches to be played at Africa Cup of Nations.

Montreal – Zheng Qinwen to face Aryna Sabalenka in the 2024 Australian Open women's singles final.