Diary

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

MIDDLE EAST

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

The latest on the cease-fire agreement and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, though their chances have dimmed due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on continuing the war in the Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to US President Joe Biden that the Israeli army will withdraw one kilometer from the 14-kilometer-long Philadelphi Corridor.

The Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometer (8.69-mile) demilitarized buffer zone along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, remains one of the major sticking points in Israel-Hamas negotiations.

A Hamas delegation headed to Cairo on Saturday to resume talks on the hostage swap and a cease-fire in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli broadcasting authority reported that the Israeli delegation led by the head of Mossad will travel to the Egyptian capital Sunday to participate in the negotiations.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 40,400 Palestinians and injured over 93,300 since Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion. The situation worsens as Israeli attacks continue and aid becomes increasingly scarce in the besieged enclave.

Gaza’s Civil Defense teams on Saturday recovered the bodies of 49 Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes since dawn and over the past two days, the service announced.

The Israeli army on Saturday once again ordered Palestinians in several areas of the central Gaza Strip to evacuate in preparation for a possible military operation.

Approximately 100,000 displaced Palestinians in the eastern part of Deir al-Balah city in Gaza have no place to seek refuge from Israeli forces' extensive bombardment, as Israel destroyed 20 shelter centers over the last two days after issuing evacuation orders, the city municipality said on Saturday.

Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades said its fighters engaged in clashes with the Israeli army in the Deir al-Balah of central Gaza City and inflicted casualties on Israeli soldiers.

Israel-Hezbollah escalation

The Israeli army launched a massive air raid on southern Lebanon early Sunday morning, targeting over 200 sites in what it claimed was a preemptive strike to prevent Hezbollah's major attack.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed that the attack involved 100 fighter jets and was intended to prevent an impending missile and rocket attack on northern and central Israel.

Earlier on Sunday, Hezbollah announced that it had launched drone and missile attacks deep into Israel in response to the assassination of senior military commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut on July 30.

Rockets fired Saturday from Lebanon struck an Israeli military site in the Western Galilee, Israel’s Army Radio reported. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Hezbollah group said it targeted Israeli Hermon and Raheb sites, claimed “hitting them directly.”

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 640 people and injured 5,400 others, with over 10,000 taken into custody.

Israeli army's raids Saturday on cities and towns in the West Bank coincided with attacks by illegal Israeli settlers on Palestinians and their properties in several other areas of the West Bank.

Palestine TV reported that Israeli settlers burned agricultural lands in the village of Sarra in the Nablus governorate.

In the southern West Bank, illegal Israeli settlers attacked the village of Susya south of Hebron and assaulted several of its residents. Videos circulating show masked illegal Israeli settlers carrying sticks attacking a Palestinian amid the screams of women, while images show the damage to one of the cars.

Protests against Israeli government

Mounting protests in Israel to put pressure on the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.

On Saturday, the families of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip said a hostage swap deal with the Palestinian factions has been ready for signing since the beginning of July. However, new conditions imposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the Philadelphi Corridor being a major point of contention, have stalled its execution.

Military escalation in Mideast

Israel is on high alert for possible military attacks from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iranian-backed armed militias in Iraq and Syria, following last month’s assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

International reports suggest that Iran might delay its response to the assassination of Haniyeh if an agreement between the two sides is reached.

With no cease-fire deal yet reached after Doha talks which ended on August 16, the prospects for Iran's retaliatory response are looming again.

Red Sea tensions

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

Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan

The humanitarian and security situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

ASIA-PACIFIC

Tokyo International Conference on African Development meeting ends

The two-day meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) to conclude on Sunday and a joint declaration is expected to be issued at the end of the meeting. The meeting was attended by top diplomats of African countries in Tokyo.

Rohingyans commemorate ‘Genocide Day’

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh commemorate "Rohingya Genocide Day." The world's most persecuted community organizes a large procession to demand proper refugee status and safe return.

AFRICA

South Africa and Chinese Army Navy conduct military health exercise

The South African National Defense Force Military Health Service and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Hospital Ship Peace Ark 866 to conduct a humanitarian relief medical exercise in Cape Town. The exercise will focus on rendering free medical support to the local population and strengthening diplomacy between the two militaries.

Mpox in Africa

As the mpox virus spreads across Africa, many countries continue to wait for vaccines.

SPORTS

Dutch Grand Prix, Round 15 of 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, to be held at Circuit Zandvoort.