Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Latest development in humanitarian and military situation in Gaza strip after 123 days of Israel's onslaught amid concerns of famine and growing humanitarian crisis following Israeli defense minister's warning of military operation's extension to southern Rafah city. Israeli offensive has so far resulted in at least 27,478 deaths, mostly women and children, injuring 66,835 since Oct. 7.

Ramallah - Continuing daily Israeli army raids into cities and towns in occupied West Bank to be tracked. Incursions led to 381 Palestinians killed, 4,400 others injured, and 6,540 arrested since Oct. 7.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Evening protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government are expected to take place in different cities. Israel government, meanwhile, is waiting for Hamas to respond to proposal of a new hostage swap deal. Opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday backed a media report claiming that War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz is in contact with senior members of Netanyahu's Likud Party to oust him from his post as prime minister.

IRAQ

Baghdad - Effects of US forces' airstrikes on over 85 targets in Iraq and Syria to be followed. Situation in Iraq remains volatile with possible launch of new attacks by Iran-backed militant groups or US military.

EGYPT

Cairo - Indirect negotiations for a cease-fire, hostage swap deal between Israel, Hamas continue. Hamas delegation led by Ismail Haniyeh expected to visit Cairo, with exact date yet to be announced.

LEBANON

Beirut - Border situation remains volatile as tensions between Lebanese Hezbollah, Israel continue. Latest death toll of Lebanese group since Oct. 8 has reached to 179. Additionally, 30 civilians, including three children, three journalists, one Lebanese army soldier have been killed. Six members of al-Qassam Brigades in Lebanon have also been killed.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Tensions grow in Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel, US retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen.

Following up on all topics via translation from Arabic wire, official accounts, related websites.

MIDDLE EAST

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's current Middle East tour, which started with Saudi Arabia for talks aimed at a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip. His tour will continue until Feb. 8 and will also include Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the occupied West Bank.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne's separate regional tour to test drive for revival of Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Tour started with Israel and includes Jordan, Egypt, Israel, occupied West Bank, and Lebanon, to extend until Tuesday.

TÜRKİYE

Kahramanmaras - Türkiye marks first anniversary of powerful Feb. 6 earthquakes that hit southern part of country, killing a total of 53,537 people, injuring more than 107,000 others.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend key handover ceremony to rehouse thousands of survivors. Since disaster, Türkiye has been working to rebuild the earthquake zone, meet earthquake victims with new houses.

MALTA

Valetta - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet with Ian Borg, minister for foreign and European affairs and trade, to discuss bilateral relations, Türkiye-EU relations, current regional developments.

Fidan also to be received separately by President George Vella, Prime Minister Robert Abela.

FRANCE

Strasbourg - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to chair meeting of commissioners, attend plenary debate at European Parliament. European Commission expected to announce 2040 climate target to then be debated by European lawmakers.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - UN Information Service to hold biweekly press briefing for UN bodies headquartered in Geneva. Expecting comments on latest situation in Gaza.

GEORGIA

Tbilisi - President Salome Zourabichvili to present annual report to lawmakers. Eurasia desk to follow any statement by Zourabichvili or parliament.

US

Washington - Full House of Representatives expected to vote as soon on Tuesday on impeachment articles against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Republicans have been blaming Mayorkas for dramatic uptick in undocumented immigration across US-Mexican border.

Washington - US state of Nevada to hold presidential primary with President Joe Biden on ballot for Democrats, ex-UN envoy Nikki Haley for Republicans. Former President Donald Trump will not appear on ballot amid row between state authorities, Republican Party. He will compete in caucuses on Thursday.

New York - UN Security Council to discuss UN Assistance Mission in Iraq amid escalating violence between US forces, Iranian-backed militias. Violence has led to concerns of wider regional escalation between US, Iran.

New York - Speculation has mounted that UN Security Council could vote during Tuesday session on draft resolution put forward by Algeria demanding immediate cease-fire in besieged Gaza Strip

CHINA

Beijing - Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to visit Beijing at invitation of counterpart Wang Yi. Two sides to hold third round of China-Switzerland Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference.

JAPAN

Tokyo - Latvian Foreign Minister Arturs Krisjanis Karins to visit for discussions on bilateral cooperation, regional affairs.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Election campaign set to conclude as around 128 million eligible voters will cast ballot Thursday to elect new parliament, provincial assemblies.

THE ECONOMY

Ankara - Turkish Statistical Institute to release population statistics for 2023.

Berlin - Germany's Destatis to share factory orders figures for December.

SPORTS

Qatar - Semifinal round in AFC Asian Cup to begin with Jordan-South Korea match.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Nikki Haley staying in Republican race ‘in case Trump is convicted’: Expert

By Darren Lyn

Houston, US – Report about Nikki Haley and her ongoing bid to pip Donald Trump to the Republican nomination for this year’s US presidential election.

The story explains Haley’s current strategy and why she remains adamant on pursuing her primary bid, despite the overwhelming odds she faces against Trump, who is the clear frontrunner at this point.

It includes an interview with David Darmofal, a political science professor at the University of South Carolina, who believes Haley’s main focus at the moment is to stay in the race in case Trump is convicted in one of the multiple court cases against him.

Testimonies from Gaza must serve pursuit of justice, British medic says after return

By Aysu Bicer

London – Interview with James Smith, an emergency medical doctor for Medical Aid for Palestinians, who has recently returned from the Gaza Strip.

Smith shares a firsthand account of his time working at the Al-Aqsa Hospital, where he saw up close the horrors inflicted on Palestinians during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.

He explains the immense challenges that medics are facing on the field, including relentless attacks from Israeli forces and an overwhelming number of casualties that are impossible to bear for a health system systematically targeted and decimated.

Smith also shares his view on the controversy about UNRWA, condemning the countries who are cutting funding to the agency for setting a dangerous precedent.

Bosnian genocide researcher warns same patterns being repeated in Israel’s war on Gaza

By Talha Ozturk

Belgrade, Serbia – Interview with Arnesa Buljusmic-Kustura, a Bosnian genocide researcher and war survivor, about Israel’s deadly actions in its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

She explains how what is happening in Gaza is similar to what Bosnians faced decades ago, warning that the same patterns are being repeated and calling for immediate efforts to stop Israel’s onslaught.

Buljusmic-Kustura also shares her assessment about South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and the provisional measures ordered by the top UN court.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with James Smith, an emergency medical doctor for Medical Aid for Palestinians, who has recently returned from the Gaza Strip. He shares a firsthand account of his time working at the Al-Aqsa Hospital and explains the immense challenges medics are facing on the field.

VIDEO – Interview with Arnesa Buljusmic-Kustura, a Bosnian genocide researcher and war survivor, about Israel’s deadly war on the Gaza Strip, where she warns that past patterns are being repeated and shares her assessment about the provisional measures ordered by the top UN court in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.