Diary

ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, April 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Humanitarian and military situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues its relentless onslaught despite UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate cease-fire in besieged enclave.

Israeli offensive, now in its 183rd day, has killed over 33,000 Palestinians and injured about 75,750 others since last October amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

Ramallah - Security tension remain high in West Bank amid almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian towns in occupied territory, which resulted in death of at least 456 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023. Number of arrests has risen to nearly 8,000, reaching record highs over nearly 6 months, exceeding those recorded on annual basis in previous years.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv - Protests in Israel to pressure government to resign and reach hostage swap deal with Palestinians.

EGYPT/QATAR

CAIRO/DOHA - Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo and Doha aimed at reaching hostage swap deal and cease-fire in Gaza.

LEBANON

Beirut - Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel that broke out last October, in deadliest clashes between two sides since their full-scale war in 2006. Hezbollah on Friday said it targeted Israeli spy equipment in Israeli army's Zarit barracks, while Israeli army continued shelling and targeting areas in southern Lebanon.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Growing tension in Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of ties to Israel, and US retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi targets inside Yemen amid fears of a significant disruption to maritime traffic in one of busiest global routes for oil and fuel transport.

SLOVAKIA

Bratislava - Slovakia to vote in run-off presidential vote between Parliament Speaker Peter Pellegrini and country’s former Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok.

PAKISTAN

Islamabad - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Saudi Arabia on his first foreign visit since he assumed office election in March. During his three-day visit, he is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

SOUTH KOREA

Seoul - Two-day early polling for next week's parliamentary elections to conclude.

TAIWAN

Taipei - Search and rescue efforts entered 4th day after 7.4-magnitude hit Taiwan on Wednesday leaving 12 dead and hundreds injured. 18 people are still missing while dozens of others remain trapped on hills or due to damaged roads.

RWANDA

Kigali - 30th anniversary of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda where over 1 million people were killed.

SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town - Warning has been issued for heavy rains expected to cause flooding, landslides and rock falls from Saturday lasting up to Tuesday in tourist city of Cape Town.

SPORTS

Rome - Roma to take on Lazio in Italian Serie A week 31 derby.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Biden needs ‘concrete plan’ to prevent Rafah invasion, doctor says after White House meeting

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden must implement a “concrete plan” to prevent Israel’s vowed invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a doctor who sat down with him this week for a closed-door discussion at the White House told Anadolu.

‘No guarantees of safety’: Israeli attack on Gaza aid convoy raises concern in humanitarian community

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israel's recent attack on a World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy in the Gaza Strip has ignited a firestorm of debate and concern regarding the safety and efficacy of humanitarian operations in the enclave amid escalating tensions.