Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Israeli aggression against Lebanon

Israel continues to pound Lebanon with relentless airstrikes amid border clashes between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

At least nine people were killed in two separate Israeli airstrikes on Mt. Lebanon on Saturday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.

One UN peacekeeper was injured by gunfire in the town of Naqoura in southern Lebanon, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Saturday.

The Israeli army on Saturday ordered the residents of 23 villages in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate their homes.

Hezbollah announced on Friday several attacks against the Israeli army sites and soldiers, including attacks on Israel’s Zevulun military industrial base north of Haifa and a group of soldiers in northern settlement of Misgav Am.

Due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which started on Sept. 23, at least 1,437 people have been killed so far, over 4,123 injured, and 1.2 million others displaced, according to Lebanese authorities.

According to the Israeli army, at least 75 rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel since early morning, triggering sirens in dozens of towns and settlements in northern Israel.

Lebanon's main priority is to achieve a cease-fire and end Israeli aggression while ensuring the security and safety of its citizens, the country's prime minister said on Saturday.

Israeli forces' continued genocide in Gaza

More than a year after the ongoing genocide in Gaza began, Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave continue, killing more people and destroying more infrastructure and buildings.

More than 42,200 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 98,300 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli army on Oct. 6 started a military offensive in the northern Gaza Strip, stopping fuel trucks from reaching hospitals and risking a total shutdown of medical services.

The attack particularly targeted the Jabalia area, aiming to expel Palestinians who have refused to comply with evacuation orders, resulting in severe humanitarian conditions.

Emergency teams recovered seven bodies and four injured people after the Israeli army hit a house in Al-Hawaja Street in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, a medical source told Anadolu.

Two Palestinians have lost their lives, and several others were injured due to an Israeli attack on a group of civilians in the Man'ama area near the Al-Salah Clinic in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.

Another Israeli airstrike targeted a gathering of civilians near the Jundia family’s home in the Shujayya neighborhood, east of Gaza City, killing three family members and injuring several others, the same source added.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian resistance groups announced Saturday that they targeted Israeli soldiers and vehicles in northern Gaza, resulting in several Israeli casualties.

Anticipated Israeli attack on Iran

Potential Israeli military response to Iran’s missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1.

The situation remains on high alert in Iran, as it vowed a "crushing response" to any Israeli attacks against the country.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to visit Baghdad on Sunday for regional consultations with senior Iraqi senior officials, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh.

Discussions with Iraqi government officials and Iran-aligned groups will center on preventing Israel from utilizing Iraqi territory against Iran. The focus will also be on coordinating with Iraqi groups for potential retaliation in the event of an Israeli strike.

Jordanian foreign minister meeting with UNRWA commissioner-general

Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi will meet with the commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, at 0800GMT at the ministry headquarters in Amman.

West Bank raids

Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 751 people since October last year, including 160 children, and injured over 6,250 others, with over 11,200 taken into custody.

Red Sea tensions

Red Sea tensions and the possible exchange of attacks between Israel and Yemen’s Houthi group.

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.

Turkish parliament speaker to attend meeting of OIC Parliamentary Union

Türkiye's Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus will attend the consultation meetings of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Asian Parliamentary Assembly to be held in Switzerland.

Lithuania goes to polls

Lithuanians will go to polls today to elect a new parliament. Latest opinion polls show the opposition Social Democrats with a strong lead, while populist Nemunas Dawn party is expected to come in second, followed by Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte’s conservative Homeland Union.

North Korea accuses South of drone intrusions, warns of retaliation

Tension on the Korean Peninsula has further escalated as North Korea on Saturday accused South of drone intrusions and warned to retaliate. North Korean Foreign Ministry said the military has been directed to evaluate potential retaliatory measures.

⁠Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Kursk, Donetsk

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

SPORTS

UEFA Nations League

Finland to host England in League B Group 2 match of UEFA Nations League at Helsinki Olympic Stadium. England are placed 2nd with 6 points and a goal difference, while Finland lay at 4th spot with 0 points.

2024 Superbike World Championship

Superpole and 2nd race to be held in 11th leg of 2024 Superbike World Championship in Portugal, where Turkish motorcyclist Toprak Razgatlioglu will compete.

SPECIAL REPORT

Western universality a 'fiction': French scholar recounts legal backlash over Israel criticism

By Muhammed Enes Calli

Istanbul - Interview with French political scientist Francois Burgat, who discusses his detention for criticizing Israel and the shrinking space for free speech in Europe.

The story outlines Burgat’s ordeal while being held by police over social media posts criticizing Israeli leadership and subsequent accusations of promoting terrorism. It highlights the atmosphere in Western countries, particularly France, where criticizing Israel comes at a significant cost, including investigations and public criticism. Burgat also discusses restrictions on his social media accounts and broader suppression of dissenting voices on Israel, comparing current events to historical moments of resistance and repression.

The report also touches on Burgat’s pessimism about the future of free speech in Europe while hoping that Western values can endure despite current challenges.​​​​​​​