Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, July 20, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Houthi attack on Tel Aviv

The Yemeni Houthi group claimed responsibility for a drone attack that hit Tel Aviv Friday, leaving one Israeli dead and injuring 10 others.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said there would be consequences for the attack for both the Iran-backed Houthis and Tehran.

Daniel Hagari, Israel's army spokesperson, said the drone used in the attack on Tel Aviv was an Iranian made Samad-3 model.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed more than 38,840 Palestinians and injured nearly 89,500 since Oct. 7, 2023. Situation continues to worsen by the day amid attacks and minimal aid trickling in.

On Friday, at least 12 Palestinians were killed and 10 others were injured in an Israeli attack targeting the central Gaza Strip. Other Israeli raids across the enclave left more fatalities among Palestinians.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 576 people and injured 5,350 more, with nearly 9,700 taken into Israeli custody since last October.

Clashes broke out between dozens of Palestinians and Israeli forces on Friday in various locations across the occupied West Bank.

Confrontations took place in the city of Bethlehem, the towns of Beit Dajan and Beita south of Nablus, and Kafr Qaddum east of Qalqilya, Anadolu reported.

Cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas

Developments in the Gaza Strip related to a potential cease-fire agreement between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, or resign.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah amid fears of full-blown war.

On Friday, at least 70 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel, according to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

Hezbollah said it fired a barrage of missiles at an Israeli military base and an illegal settlement in the Upper Galilee region near Lebanon's southern border.

Red Sea tension

Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in the Red Sea, as well as US-led coalition airstrikes on the group's positions in Yemen.

The Houthi group said Friday that it targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones, accusing the vessel of violating a ban on accessing Israeli ports.

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

Sudan's deteriorating humanitarian and security situation as clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue in various parts of the country.

Türkiye's President Erdogan's official visit to Northern Cyprus

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to mark 50th anniversary of Cyprus Peace Operation.

Naming of new Cabinet ministers in Kenya

Kenyan President William Ruto is expected to announce more members of his new Cabinet after naming 10 new ministers on Friday.

Ruto fired almost his entire Cabinet after deadly nationwide protests against tax hikes.

Radical South African opposition leader expected to face graft probe

Police in South Africa are expected to launch investigations into fresh corruption allegations involving Julius Malema, leader of the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party and his deputy Floyd Shivambu.

Lobby group AfriForum filed a case against the pair on Friday, accusing them of involvement in a multi-million dollar scandal that saw lender VBS Mutual Bank collapse in 2018.

Palestinians to meet in China for unity talks

Representatives of Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah expected for a two-day meeting in China for a second round of talks on unifying.

Parts of Bangladesh remain shut amid public job quota protests

At least 45 people have lost their lives in Bangladesh during anti-government protests against a 56% quota for certain groups in government jobs. Situation remains volatile as students seek merit-based employment in public jobs.

Government has imposed a communications blackout.

North Korea's likely response to Trump

North Korea is likely to respond to former US President and current Republican nominee Donald Trump, who, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said it was "nice to get along with somebody who has a lot of nuclear weapons."

South Korean parliamentary committee hearing impeachment petition against president

A parliamentary committee is expected to continue hearing an online petition demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, focusing on allegations of his interference in a probe into a young soldier's death.

Maldives top diplomat pays official visit to China

Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer begins a five-day trip to China, where he will hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Wang Yi.