Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, May 25, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

PALESTINE

Gaza City - Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip's southernmost city of Rafah continue, with incursions into the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt, while Israeli forces also reached the western part of the Yibna refugee camp in central Rafah.

While in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli army intensifies its onslaught and expands inside amid heavy bombardment, forcing thousands to flee their areas.

On its 232nd day, Israel's ongoing offensive in the besieged Gaza since Oct. 7 of last year has killed over 35,800 people and injured nearly 80,200, amid crippling blockade that has left the majority of the population on the verge of starvation.

Clashes and confrontations have also broken out between Palestinian resistance factions and Israeli soldiers in several locations, including Jabalia in the north and Rafah in the south.

Ramallah – Israeli forces' raids in the occupied West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023, have killed at least 517 Palestinians, injured nearly 5,000 others, and arrested at least 8,815, according to Palestinian sources.

ISRAEL

Tel Aviv – Protests in Israel continue to put pressure on the government to resign and negotiate a hostage swap with Hamas.

Israel's reaction to the ICJ decision to halt its offensive against Rafah.

EGYPT

Cairo – Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas aimed at achieving a hostage swap deal and a cease-fire in Gaza.

According to Axios, American CIA Director William Burns will meet with the Mossad chief and the Qatari prime minister to discuss resuming cease-fire and hostage swap talks.

LEBANON

Beirut – Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel forces, which flared up in October, continued, making them the deadliest clashes between the two sides since their full-scale war in 2006.

YEMEN

Sanaa – Tensions in the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having ties to Israel and the US-led Western forces airstrikes on targets inside Yemen.

On Friday, the Houthi group said it attacked three ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians fighting Israeli forces.

TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS

LEFKOSA - Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz to embark on a one-day visit to island. He will attend a meeting on the Güzelyurt Cold Storage Integrated Facility, will tour abandoned town of Maras in Gazimagusa.

JAMMU and KASHMIR

Srinagar – The last phase of Indian parliamentary elections concludes Saturday in the restive region.

CHINA

Beijing – Developments in the aftermath of two-day large-scale military operations by China around Taiwan.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Port Moresby – A landslide that hit residential areas in Enga province of Papua New Guinea, with more than 100 feared dead.

SOUTH AFRICA

Johannesburg – Countries across the continent to commemorate Africa Day, which marks 61 years since the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union.

Johannesburg – Political parties begin their final leg of election campaigns ahead of the weekday national and provincial elections.

SPORTS

London - Reigning champions Manchester City to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final.