Diary

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

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Humanitarian and military situation in 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 185th day, has killed nearly 33,200 Palestinians and injured more than 75,900 others since last October amid crippling blockade that has left most of population on verge of starvation.

Israeli army withdrew from city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip after fighting that lasted four months. It said that there is only one brigade left in Gaza, Nahal Brigade, which is responsible for securing corridor established by Israeli army to prevent Gazans from returning to the north.

Palestinian sources told Anadolu that Israeli army forces retreated from all western areas of Khan Younis while they remained stationed east of the city.

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 459 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023. Number of arrests has risen to 8,100, reaching record highs over nearly 6 months, exceeding those recorded on annual basis in previous years.

EGYPT

Cairo - Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas group in Cairo aimed at reaching hostage swap deal and cease-fire in Gaza. New round of negotiations on cease-fire in Gaza is planned to begin after delegation from Hamas was invited to head to Cairo, alongside both US intelligence chief William Burns and Israeli delegation.

ISRAEL

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

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.

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.

THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague - International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hear Nicaragua’s arguments in case accusing Germany of facilitating “genocide” in Gaza by providing political and military support to Israel.

BELGIUM

Brussels - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to meet Denis Becirovic, chairman of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for talks on latest developments in region.

SWITZERLAND

Geneva - World Health Organization Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk to participate in high-level dialogue meeting to mark 75th anniversaries of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and WHO.

London - Open Iftar, flagship initiative of Ramadan Tent Project, to be held at Trafalgar Square in London.

London - Resolution Foundation to release report showing amount spent on rent to grow faster than wages in UK. Recent surge in new tenancy rent levels in Britain is coming to end, but average rents could rise by 13% over next three years, according the report.

US

Washington - Statements from Biden Administration regarding situation in Gaza, potential protests in solidarity with Palestine.

Washington - President Joe Biden to head to Wisconsin, where he delivers remarks on lowering costs for Americans. He then travels to Chicago for campaign reception.

Washington - Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet with Israeli opposition Leader Yair Lapid at State Department.

New York - UN Security Council to hold meeting to discuss admission of Palestine as full member of UN under agenda item 'Admission of New Members'. Admission of new members to UN is decided by General Assembly upon recommendation of Security Council.

Washington - Total solar eclipse to cross North America, passing over Mexico, US, and Canada. Total solar eclipse happens when Moon passes between Sun and Earth, completely blocking face of Sun.

RUSSIA

Moscow - Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali to hold news conference on Israel’s strike on Iranian Consulate in Damascus, Syria.

CHINA

Beijing - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to pay two-day official visit to China.

THE ECONOMY

Berlin – Destatis to announce Germany’s trade balance and industrial production for February. In January, Germany's trade surplus increased to record €27.5 billion ($29.8 billion) and its industrial output rose for first time in 9 months by 1% month-on-month

Ankara – TurkStat to announce Türkiye’s industrial production for February. In January, figure rose 1.1% year-on-year and posted no change on monthly basis.

SPORTS

Abu Dhabi – Al Hilal to face Al Nassr, while Ittihad FC to take on Al Wehda in Saudi Super Cup semifinals.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Gaza aid convoy attack indicative of Israeli impunity, dehumanization of Palestinians: Palestinian-American lawyer

By Burak Bir

London - Interview with Palestinian-American lawyer Lara Elborno about the recent Israeli attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy in the Gaza Strip.

Elborno points out that the “reprehensible” strike is a mere continuation of Israel’s policy of targeting humanitarian workers, journalists, doctors, health workers and anyone trying to help Palestinians.

She also questions the root cause of the outrage the attack has sparked all over the world, saying it shows the dehumanization of Palestinians to the point that the lives of six foreign aid workers have more importance than over 33,000 Palestinians killed by Israel.

Elborno reiterates the need to hold Israel and its Western backers accountable, while also calling for an immediate suspension of Western military aid to Israel.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Palestinian-American lawyer Lara Elborno about the recent Israeli attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, where she criticizes it as a continuation of relentless Israeli strikes on non-military targets, points out the element of dehumanization of Palestinians, and calls for immediate action against Israel and its supporters in the West.