Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, March 8, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Developments in the humanitarian and military situation in Gaza Strip on day 154 of relentless Israeli onslaught, which has killed at least 30,800 people and injured nearly 73,000 amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities, with growing accusations that Israel is intentionally starving Gaza’s population.

Situation of Gaza detainees in Israeli custody since onslaught started. 27 Palestinians from Gaza have died in Israeli military facilities since war began on Oct. 7, according to investigation by Israeli daily Haaretz, including pictures of released detainees showed bruises and marks on their wrists from prolonged handcuffing.

Ramallah - Daily Israeli army incursions into Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank, which since Oct. 7 have killed at least 424 Palestinians and injured at least 4,650 others. Number of arrests has risen to some 7,490, reaching record highs over 5 months, exceeding those recorded on an annual basis in previous years.

Developments in Israeli settlements in West Bank. In a strong rebuke of Israel's recent plans to expand illegal settlements in occupied West Bank, EU on Thursday said such plans only serve to obstruct peace.

EGYPT

Cairo - Indirect talks between Palestinian group Hamas and Israel to reach hostage deal and cease-fire in Gaza. Hamas confirmed on Thursday that negotiations are still ongoing for cease-fire and its delegation had left Cairo for consultations with its leadership, with talks to be resumed next week, according to Egyptian source.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Situation in field of Israeli army plan to expand its offensive to Rafah City in southern Gaza Strip. Premier Netanyahu vowed on Thursday “to continue to act against Hamas in all corners of Gaza, including in Rafah, Hamas’s last stronghold.”

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border tension between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel amid intensified attacks by both sides. At least 300 people are estimated to have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since clashes first erupted on Oct. 8. Nearly 20 Israelis have also been killed, according to Israeli figures.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Escalating tensions in Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel and US retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen amid concerns over deadly impact on shipping traffic in one of world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

US

Washington - Developments, remarks by Biden administration after President Joe Biden ordered establishment of floating pier off Gaza to deliver humanitarian assistance.

Washington - Following major State of the Union address, President Joe Biden to deliver remarks at campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region.

Washington - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken at State Department. Ahead of that meeting, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar to meet US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.

New York - UN Security Council to hold meeting on peace and security in Ukraine.

Florida - Former President Donald Trump expected to host Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Mar-a-Lago compound in Palm Beach.

TÜRKİYE

Istanbul - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss Ukraine-Russia war, contacts on resumption of Black Sea grain corridor agreement, and efforts for lasting peace in region.

Bilateral relations will be also on agenda.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - UN Information Service to hold briefing for journalists. 

Geneva - On International Women’s Day, government of Switzerland, state of Geneva, UN Women, Department of Peace Operations, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN Peacebuilding Fund, and Elsie Initiative Fund to host “Peace Begins with Her,” an interactive public photo exhibit in front of University of Geneva.

FRANCE

Paris - Unions, various activist groups to rally across France to celebrate International Women's Day.

HONG KONG

Hong Kong - Hong Kong to submit draft new national security legislation to Legislative Council.

CHINA

Beijing - Foreign Ministry to hold news conference.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg - Millions observe International Women's Day celebrations across continent with calls for women’s empowerment. Reporters from across Africa to send stories.

ECONOMY BUSINESS

Ankara - Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry to announce central government debt figures for February.

Berlin - Germany’s Destatis to share producer inflation for January. It was at minus 8.6% in December and is expected to continue downward trend in January.

Luxembourg - Eurostat to release unemployment statistics and economic growth rate for last quarter of 2023. In third quarter, 27-member economy narrowed by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter.

Washington - US to release unemployment data for February. It was at 3.7% in January and is expected to be at same level in February.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Israel’s war on Gaza: Palestinian women yearn for lost privacy, dignity

By Rabia Ali

Istanbul - Report for International Women’s Day on struggles of women in Gaza as Israel continues deadly assault on Palestinian enclave.

Includes interviews with three Palestinian women: journalist Maram Humaid, university student Haya al-Sisalem, and Maram Faraj, an English language teacher in Rafah.

They narrate their personal ordeal over past five months, sharing what they have been through and are witnessing during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, particularly how it has taken away their right to privacy, dignity, and health care.

‘Israeli army’s violations of Palestinian women’s privacy, rights are awful’

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

Geneva - Report for International Women’s Day focusing on Israeli army’s violations of women in Gaza.

Story is based on interviews with women in Geneva, Switzerland who comment on photos that have emerged of Israeli soldiers posing with lingerie and underwear of Palestinian women taken from homes of displaced Gazans.

They denounce actions of Israeli soldiers as “disrespectful, awful, and disgusting,” saying they feel disturbed and angry over what Palestinian women are facing in Gaza.

Americans denounce ‘disgusting’ Israeli actions against Palestinian women

By Diyar Guldogan

Washington - Report for International Women’s Day focusing on Israeli army’s violations of women in Gaza.

Story is based on interviews with women in Washington who comment on photos that have emerged of Israeli soldiers posing with lingerie and underwear of Palestinian women taken from homes of displaced Gazans.

They condemn “disgusting” actions of Israeli soldiers and stress need for accountability, repercussions, and end to impunity for such crimes.

Israel’s war on Gaza: UN special rapporteur calls for investigation, end to violence against Palestinian women

By Elif Tugtekin

Istanbul - Interview with UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem for International Women’s Day focusing on women of Gaza and conditions they are living through as Israel continues its deadly assault on Palestinian enclave.

Alsalem says Israel has been inflicting a “specific form of reproductive violence” on Palestinians.

She also condemns Israeli soldiers for violating personal and intimate property of Palestinian women, “treating it like a sort of war trophy.”

She stresses “this is one of many violations” that Israeli army is committing during “unfolding genocide,” calling for an immediate stop to such actions and accountability of perpetrators.

Courage of Gaza’s women will change world: UN official

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

Geneva - Report for International Women’s Day focusing on women of Gaza and their ordeals during Israel’s ongoing war on besieged Palestinian enclave.

Story is based on interview with Olga Cherevko, spokeswoman for UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who was recently in Gaza and witnessed situation firsthand.

Cherevko speaks about massive destruction that Israel has caused in Gaza, saying Palestinians there are being forced to live a “collective nightmare.”

She hails courage being displayed by women of Gaza in face of such adverse conditions, who have “unparalleled strength to keep going no matter what.”

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interviews with women in Geneva, Switzerland about Israeli army violations of Palestinian women in Gaza, specifically photos of Israeli soldiers posing with underwear taken from homes of displaced Gazans.

VIDEO - Interviews with women in Washington about Israeli army’s violations of Palestinian women in Gaza, specifically photos of Israeli soldiers posing with underwear taken from homes of displaced Gazans.

VIDEO - Interview with Reem Alsalem, UN special rapporteur for violence against women and girls, focusing on women of Gaza and conditions they are living through as Israel continues its deadly war.

VIDEO - Interview with Olga Cherevko, spokeswoman for UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about women of Gaza and their ordeals during Israel’s ongoing war on besieged Palestinian enclave.