Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Israeli onslaught on Gaza

Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 41,100 Palestinians and injured more than 95,000 since incursion last Oct. 7 by Palestinian group Hamas. Situation is deteriorating as Israeli attacks continue and aid grows more scarce in besieged enclave.

Israeli army on Saturday issued new evacuation orders for Palestinians in neighborhoods of Al-Manshiyya, Sheikh Zayed, and Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza Strip, preparing to attack area under pretext of Palestinian rockets fired towards Israel.

At least five Palestinians, including two children and a woman, were killed and several others injured on Saturday in an Israeli bombing targeting Zeitoun Martyrs School in southeastern Gaza City, which houses displaced people.

Hamdan Abu Anaba, a Palestinian paramedic, was killed in Israeli prison following his arrest at a medical complex in Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Saturday.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 703 people and injured 5,700 others, with over 10,400 taken into custody.

Illegal Israeli settlers killed 72 sheep by poisoning their drinking water in northwestern Jericho in the occupied West Bank, according to an activist on Saturday.

Three Palestinians were injured on Saturday by Israeli army gunfire in the southern and northern occupied West Bank.

Israeli army raided villages of Arranah and Jalamah, north of Jenin, and village of Al-Funduq, east of Qalqilya, in the northern West Bank.

Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas

Latest on Israel-Hamas talks on possible cease-fire in Gaza and hostage swap.

No breakthrough in negotiations expected as Israel continues to delay progress, obstructing talks by introducing new conditions.

US recently accused Hamas of “changing some of its conditions” on possible deal. Hamas denied this, asserting that in fact Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the one adding new conditions.

Hamas on Wednesday reaffirmed its readiness to implement immediate cease-fire in Gaza Strip based on plan presented by US President Joe Biden earlier this year.
Hamas reiterated its refusal to add any new conditions to Biden’s proposal.

Protests against Israeli government
Mounting protests in Israel to pressure government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.

Hezbollah-Israel escalation

Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Israeli army said on Saturday that approximately 55 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Upper Galilee, northern Israel.

In response, Israeli army said it carried out airstrikes using drones to target rocket-launching platform in southern Lebanon. Additionally, army reported attacking Hezbollah military building in Kafr Rumman and launched artillery strikes on various targets in southern Lebanon.

Red Sea tensions

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

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

EURASIA

⁠German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to start Central Asian tour

Scholz is making his first visit to Central Asia on Sunday, visiting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as Berlin seeks new markets and sources of energy and minerals amid war in Ukraine.

BRICS Media Summit continues in Moscow

Day two of BRICS Media Summit in Moscow. Panel sessions at summit to include discussions of role of BRICS media community in bolstering stability in multipolar world, as well as technological aspects of information interaction between BRICS countries.

⁠Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk and Donetsk

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began incursion last month, and in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues to claim advances on multiple fronts.

Asia-Pacific

Powerful typhoon hit southwestern Japan

Typhoon Bebinca hit Japan's southwestern island region of Amami on Saturday evening and is moving ahead. Weather agency warned of strong winds, landslides, flooding and high tides.

ASEAN economic ministers meeting kicking off in Laos

Weeklong ASEAN economic ministers meeting kicking off Sunday in Laos’ capital Vientiane, set to conclude next weekend.

Pakistan’s ruling alliance to present controversial constitutional changes

Pakistan’s ruling alliance is expected to present controversial constitutional amendments in parliament to increase retirement age of chief justice and other judges of Pakistan. Main opposition parties oppose changes.

Africa

US Embassy in Kenya issues security alert

Kenyan authorities expected to respond to security alert issued by US Embassy in capital Nairobi warning its citizens of possible terror attacks. Authorities in East Africa’s largest economy said last year at least 500 lives have been lost due to terror attacks in country since 1998 bombing at US Embassy, which killed 213 people, including 201 Kenyans and 12 Americans.

Mpox in Africa

Number of mpox cases continues to rise in Africa, particularly in countries neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, epicenter of outbreak. Health officials in Uganda said Saturday number of mpox infections in country has risen to 10, with all patients suffering strain of virus, clade 1b, that is more transmissible between people.

Sports

Round 17 of Formula 1 World Championship set to be held in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku

In English Premier League, Tottenham to take on Arsenal in London derby.