Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to pay official visit to Türkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will officially welcome his Egyptian counterpart with a formal ceremony.

Following their bilateral meeting, a high-level Strategic Cooperation Council Meeting to take place.

After signing ceremony for agreements and a joint press conference, Erdogan to host an official dinner in honor of Sisi.

Israeli major military offensive in northern West Bank

Developments in Israeli military operation in northern occupied West Bank cities, considered the largest in over two decades.

Forces stormed the cities of Jenin and Tulkarem, along with their refugee camps and the Fara camp near Tubas. The army withdrew from the Fara camp and Tulkarem on Thursday.

However, operations in Jenin continue, with the Israeli army deploying armored forces, supported by air power, to the city. The operation has resulted in the deaths of at least 34 Palestinians, according to Palestinian figures.

On Monday, the Israeli forces raided Tulkarem city again and laid a siege around hospitals there amid a military operation in the northern West Bank. This comes amid continued illegal settlers' assaults against Palestinians and their properties across the West Bank. The settlers are always protected by the Israeli army during their attacks.

On Tuesday, a Palestinian boy was killed and his father injured by the Israeli forces in the Tulkarem refugee camp amid an ongoing Israeli offensive. Another two Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces' gunfire and shells in the east of Tulkarem city.

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,800 Palestinians and injured nearly 94,300 since Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion. The situation worsens as Israeli attacks continue and aid becomes increasingly scarce in the besieged enclave.

On Tuesday, at least seven Palestinians were killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a college building housing displaced people in Gaza City.

Polio vaccination campaign in Gaza

Amid ongoing Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, the polio vaccination campaign for children under the age of 10 continued for the third day in the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

The campaign focuses on central Gaza from Sept. 1 to 4, followed by Khan Younis from Sept. 5 to 9, and will conclude in Gaza City and the northern regions from Sept. 9 to 12, according to official sources.

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.

The protests escalated following the Israeli army's announcement regarding the recovery of six dead captives from Gaza. Israel saw mass protests blaming the government for not bringing them alive through a prisoner swap deal with the Palestinians.

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.

On Tuesday, a Hamas official involved in the cease-fire negotiations with Israel informed Turkish Foreign Ministry officials that the US might be genuinely trying to broker a cease-fire due to regional security concerns and upcoming presidential elections.

However, the official said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is continuously “introducing new conditions,” particularly regarding the “Philadelphi Corridor” and “the Rafah border crossing,” which has led to repeated setbacks.

Following reports in the American media about the Biden administration's readiness to propose a “last chance” deal for a cease-fire and prisoner exchange negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian official said that the US has warned that it will continue negotiations for two more weeks but will withdraw “if no agreement is reached,” a move the he described as “extremely dangerous” as it risks returning to the starting point.

Israeli media continues to highlight the growing disputes between Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the army’s presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarized area along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

Netanyahu’s hardline position is seen by opposition leaders and families of Israeli hostages in Gaza as hindering efforts to reach a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas.

Last Thursday, Israel’s security Cabinet voted to maintain Israeli military presence at the corridor, a position that drew fire from the defense minister.

Netanyahu's accusations against Egypt over weapons smuggling into Gaza

The reactions in response to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's claims that Egypt is smuggling weapons to Hamas through its border.

On Monday, Netanyahu renewed his refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarized area along Egypt’s border with Gaza. The Israeli premier claimed that the corridor was a “lifeline” for Hamas to rearm, hinting that Hamas' armament comes through the Egyptian border.

On Tuesday, Egypt rejected these claims and called it an attempt to hinder mediation efforts to reach a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap deal.

Jordan and Qatar condemned Netanyahu’s remarks, accusing him of obstructing the prisoner exchange negotiations.

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.

On Tuesday, three Lebanese, including a contractor with the United Nations peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL), were wounded by Israeli army fire in southern Lebanon, according to official sources.

In related developments, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles into Mount Rihan near the border town of Jizine in southern Lebanon.

Two other airstrikes were reported in Markaba and Aita as-Shaab and artillery shelling in Khiyam and Labbouneh.

Hezbollah, for its part, said it targeted Israeli espionage equipment in al-Raheb post in southern Lebanon and al-Jardah site in northern Israel with appropriate weapons.

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.

World Health Organization on global health issues

The World Health Organization to hold a press briefing on global health issues which will be chaired by WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

British premier takes questions in parliament

Prime Minister Keir Starmer to respond to questions from lawmakers in the House of Commons in first Prime Minister’s Questions session after parliament returns from recess.

Grenfell Tower inquiry

Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster, which claimed the lives of 72 people in June 2017, publishes its final (Phase 2) report. Hearings concluded in November 2022. Core participants were provided with copies of the report under embargo. A police inquiry into the disaster is not expected to be concluded until 2025 at the earliest. A public statement will introduce the report and its findings.

Scholz participates in citizens' dialogue

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to speak at a citizens' dialogue meeting in Berlin, where he is expected to talk on a range of issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war, irregular migration, and the government’s economic and fiscal policies.

Kamala Harris - New Hampshire visit

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris to attend a campaign event in Portsmouth in the state of New Hampshire. Potential remarks regarding Gaza war.

Philadelphi Corridor row

Statements from Biden administration regarding the discussions on a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas as well as reports on Philadelphi Corridor, a buffer zone on the border of the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

Trump interview

Fox News to air town hall with former President Donald Trump, hosted by Sean Hannity.

US-South Korea deterrence strategy talks

US and South Korea to hold fifth meeting of Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) in Washington, a forum for discussions on extended deterrence policy issues affecting Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific.

UN Security Council discussion on hostages in Gaza

UN Security Council to meet for official discussion on hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7. It comes after recovery over the weekend of the bodies of six hostages, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Putin to take part in Eastern Economic Forum

Vladimir Putin to make a two-day working trip to Vladivostok in the Far Eastern Federal District, where he will participate in the 9th Eastern Economic Forum. This year’s forum is themed Far East 2030: Combining Strengths to Create New Potential.

Putin to hold talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, People’s Republic of China Vice President Han Zheng, and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vulin. Additionally, he will hold a meeting on developing infrastructure in the Far Eastern Federal District.

The president to hold a working meeting with Primorye Territory Governor Oleg Kozhemyako.

Press briefing by Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a briefing on current foreign policy issues on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok.

The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson to present Russia’s assessment of the most important international event and answer media questions.

Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk region

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched its incursion on Aug. 5-6. Ukraine claims it has captured 100 settlements since then, particularly the town of Sudzha. Russian authorities have said that 31 people were killed and 143 were injured, and over 133,000 evacuated since the start of Kyiv’s incursion.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the West’s ban on the strikes deep into Russian territory prompted him to launch the attack, the goal of which is the “establishment of a buffer zone.” Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the incursion as a "terrorist attack."

DR Congo to give update on attempted prison break which left 120 people dead

The Interior Ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to update the nation on the latest information about the attempted mass breakout from the country’s biggest prison in the capital Kinshasa. At least 120 people were killed and 59 others injured during the incident.

African countries expected to sign various pacts with Chinese firms

African heads of state and government are expected to ink several deals with Chinese companies on the sidelines of the two-day 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation which starts Wednesday. On Monday, leaders of the Malian junta signed a contract with a Chinese firm to provide them with military equipment, training, and technology transfer in key areas of defense.

Indonesian President Jokowi hosts Pope Francis

Indonesian President Joko Widodo hosts Pope Francis, 87, who is on a 12-day trip to Southeast Asia -- his longest trip during his pontificate.

Indian Premier Modi visits Singapore

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official trip to Singapore where he will hold talks with his counterpart Lawrence Wong and also meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

China-Africa summit opens in Beijing

The summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation opens in Beijing with participation by many leaders from the continent. The summit to conclude on Friday.

China, US resume climate talks

China and the US to resume climate talks as the two sides hold second meeting of the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s.

Japanese top diplomat visits Australia

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa to begin three-day official visit to Australia.

Severe storm batters Philippines

Severe weather has battered the Philippines, displacing thousands of people. China and Taiwan are also preparing as Tropical Storm Enteng is moving northwards.

SPORTS

US Open men's & women's quarterfinals to be held.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Loopholes and lacking teeth: Experts question UK’s partial stop on arms exports to Israel

By Aysu Bicer

London – Report about the UK’s decision to suspend some arms exports licenses to Israel and the concerns raised by rights groups over its actual impact.

The story gives details of the reactions the move has garnered, while explaining the significant loopholes being pointed out by experts, such as the exemption for crucial F-35 fighter jet parts, and illustrating the complex political and legal background of the decision.

It includes interviews with Iain Overton, executive director of the UK-based Action on Armed Violence, and Ceren Kenar, a senior foreign affairs consultant in London.

US Fed’s rate cut will spur similar steps worldwide: Economist

By Gokhan Ergocun

Istanbul – Report about the US Federal Reserve’s future course on interest rates, focusing on the global implications of its decision.

The story presents expectations for the Fed’s policy path and key current economic indicators in the US, as well as other major economies such as the UK and EU.

It includes comments from Max Gillman, a professor of economic history at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who shares his assessment of the expected knock-on effect of the Fed’s imminent course, explaining how and why economies around the world will follow its lead in slashing rates.​​​​​​​