Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, April 13, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

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

The Israeli offensive, in its 190th day, killed nearly 33,700 people and injured at least 76,200 others since last October amid a crippling blockade that has left most of the population on the verge of starvation.

Ramallah – Continuous security tension in the West Bank amid almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian towns in the occupied territory, which resulted in the death of at least 463 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023. The number of arrests has risen to 8,165, reaching record highs over nearly 6 months, exceeding those recorded on an annual basis in previous years.

The Israeli army carried out raids early Saturday and incursions into several Palestinian areas across the occupied West Bank, according to official Palestinian news agency, WAFA.

It cited sources that said the army raided Qalqilya, deployed snipers in several areas in the city, and held youths under interrogation.

On Friday, one Palestinian was killed and 10 injured in a rampage carried out by hundreds of Israeli settlers in the town of Al-Mughayyir in eastern Ramallah, where the settlers, who were protected by Israeli forces, burned more than 40 houses and vehicles.

ISRAEL

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

The possible Iranian attack against Israel in response to the assassination of General Mohammad Reza Zahedi in an Israeli airstrike on the Syrian capital, Damascus. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Friday that the Israeli army and the foreign intelligence agency (Mossad) approved plans to attack Iran in the event of a strike against Tel Aviv.

Additionally, according to Israeli Channel 14, a US missile ship with advanced defensive capabilities has been anchored off the Israeli coast. The channel cited an unnamed source on Friday stating that Israel “is preparing for a direct attack from Iran, either north or south of the country, within the next 24 to 48 hours.”

EGYPT

Cairo - Developments in negotiations regarding hostage swap and cease-fire in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas, awaiting a response from Hamas to a proposal put forward by mediators in the latest round of talks in Cairo to reach an agreement.

LEBANON

Beirut – Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel that broke out last October, in the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their full-scale war in 2006.

YEMEN

Sanaa - Growing tension in the 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 the busiest global routes for oil and fuel transport.

MALI

Bamako - Political parties and civil society groups plan to hold demonstrations after ruling junta suspended all political activities in the West African nation.

SOMALIA

Mogadishu - The diplomatic row between Somalia and Ethiopia continues to grow with Somalia vowing never to allow its neighbor to build a naval base in its breakaway region of Somaliland.

SPORTS

Manchester - English Premier League title contenders Manchester City to face underdogs Luton Town in home match at Etihad Stadium. Third-place Man City have 70 points in 31 matches to compete against Arsenal and Liverpool for the 2024 English title. Arsenal and Liverpool have 71 points each. Man City's opponents Luton Town are in relegation zone.

SPECIAL REPORT

'They want to silence Palestinian voices’: British-Palestinian surgeon denied entry to Germany

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Doctor Ghassan Abu Sitta who was prevented by Germany from entering Friday to address a pro-Palestine conference in Berlin said German officials try to hide evidence and silence witnesses to the crimes in the Gaza Strip.

The British-Palestinian surgeon who is also the newly-appointed Rector of Glasgow University told Anadolu about what happened when he was held up by federal police at a Berlin airport and why he was banned from entry.