Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Major Israeli offensive in northern West Bank

Developments in Israel's ongoing military operation in cities of the northern occupied West Bank, considered the largest in over two decades.

The operation, which involves two army brigades, helicopters, drones, and bulldozers, has particularly targeted the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas.

On Friday, the Israeli army continued its military offensive in Jenin and its refugee camp in the northern West Bank for the third consecutive day.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said Friday that 19 Palestinians have so far been killed by the Israeli army in the northern West Bank since early Wednesday, while Israel's military said its forces killed three Palestinians near the town of Zababdeh, south of Jenin.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian group Hamas, said two of its fighters were killed in an Israeli attack on Jenin and Tulkarm in the West Bank.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,600 Palestinians and injured more than 93,800 since Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion. The situation worsens as Israeli attacks continue and aid becomes increasingly scarce in the besieged enclave.

The Israeli army said Friday that it had completed its military operations in the southern city of Khan Yunis and in central Deir al-Balah.

Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza reported Friday that during the 22-day offensive in Khan Younis, the Israeli army destroyed water lines supplying areas in the city claimed by Tel Aviv to be "humanitarian."

Polio vaccination campaign in Gaza amid ongoing war

Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan announced Friday that a polio vaccination campaign for children under the age of 10 would begin in Gaza on Sunday.

According to a statement issued by Ramadan, the campaign will begin in Deir al-Balah and continue until Wednesday.

It will then move to Khan Younis on Sept. 5-9, before concluding in Gaza City and the northern part of the strip from Sept. 9-12.

Also on Friday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, issued a stark warning of the potential impact of a military operation in Gaza during the vaccination campaign.

Hezbollah-Israel escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah, which carried out a major attack on Israeli military targets Sunday that Israel claimed to have thwarted. Both sides proceeded to exchange fire, as has been taking place since Oct. 8.

Hezbollah announced Friday that its fighters targeted the site of Zibdeen in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with rockets. In another statement, it said its fighters targeted Ramtha in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba hills, also with rockets.

Meanwhile, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported Israeli raids and artillery shelling of southern areas of the country, including the towns of Zibqin, Kfar Kela, and Yaroun.

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

The latest on the cease-fire and hostage swap talks 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 Public Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday that the country's Security Cabinet approved the continued presence of the army in the Philadelphi Corridor along the border between Gaza and Egypt.

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 the negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

According to Israeli media, the Israeli delegation that arrived in the Qatari capital Doha on Wednesday for high-stakes negotiations on the Gaza cease-fire has left without reaching any agreements.

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.

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 the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Turkish president to attend military graduation event

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the Graduation and Standard Transfer Ceremony of the National Defense University Military Academies at the Naval Academy Command and Air Force Academy Command.

Extinction Rebellion march near Windsor Castle

Environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion will hold a mass occupation event called "upgrade democracy" in Windsor Great Park, one of King Charles' residencies, calling for the monarch to speak out about climate change and environmental destruction.

Border Force staff strike at Heathrow Airport

More than 650 Border Force staff working at London's Heathrow Airport, who are members of the Unison union, will launch a four-day strike in an ongoing dispute over rosters.