Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

MIDDLE EAST

Israeli airstrikes on Iran

Israel launched military airstrikes targeting sites in Iran early Saturday in response to recent missile attacks from Tehran.

According to Israeli media, over 100 fighter jets took part in the assault, though Iranian sources denied these claims, suggesting that Israel was exaggerating the scale of its attack.

Following the strikes, Iran stated its readiness to retaliate, raising tensions in an already volatile regional landscape.

Israeli forces continue genocidal attacks in Gaza

Ongoing Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling on Gaza Strip, which continue to claim more lives of Palestinians and worsen their living conditions.

At least nine Palestinians were killed and several others injured Friday in Israeli airstrike that targeted a group of civilians west of Gaza City.

The death toll in relentless Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave since October last year climbed to nearly 43,000, with over 100,500 injured.

Israel’s siege, ground incursion in northern Gaza

Israel's weeks-long continuing siege, ground invasion, and aerial bombardment and artillery shelling in northern Gaza amid food, water, fuel, and medicine shortages.

Before dawn on Friday, Israeli army detained dozens of Palestinians who were evacuated from Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia, northern Gaza, after attacking the facility and forcing them to strip down to their underwear and gather in an open area in cold weather.

Gaza Health Ministry called on the international community to take immediate action to save the hospital.

Volker Turk, UN human rights chief, on Friday said Israel's practices in northern Gaza could amount to "atrocity crimes and crimes against humanity."

Describing what is happening in the northern part of the strip as "the darkest moment of Gaza conflict," he also called on world leaders to act.

Israeli aggression against Lebanon

Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon while Hezbollah continues to target Israel with rockets.

The second border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, known as Jusiyah-Qaa, came under an Israeli airstrike, rendering it inoperative, Public Works Minister Ali Hamieh said Friday.

On Friday morning, the Lebanese Health Ministry said: “An airstrike by Israeli enemy on journalists' residence in Hasbaya, in Nabatiyeh Governorate, led to the martyrdom of three journalists and injuries to three others."

Nearly 2,600 people have been killed and over 12,100 injured in Israeli attacks since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

The Israeli army on Friday evening said it detected some 30 rockets launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel, claiming to have intercepted some while others fell into open areas.

Lebanese group Hezbollah, for its part, confirmed launch of a rocket salvo toward areas in Safed and Karmiel, which is adjacent to Majd al-Krum.

Gaza cease-fire talks

Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks after Qatar said it would host a new round of talks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Gaza cease-fire talks are expected to resume in the coming days.

Following these developments, an Egyptian security delegation met with a delegation of Hamas leaders in Cairo as part of efforts to resume the talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved an Israeli negotiating team going to Qatar on Sunday to discuss moving Gaza negotiations forward.

West Bank raids

Israeli military continues its raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank.

Israeli soldiers seized hundreds of kilos of olives and attacked olive pickers and their vehicles in village of Lubban al-Sharqiya, south of Nablus, according to local news agency Wafa on Friday.

Israel has killed at least 760 people since last October, including 160 children, and injured over 6,250 others, with over 11,400 taken into custody.

Developments in Sudan

Deteriorating security situation in Sudan amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

EUROPE

Ursula von der Leyen - Kosovo and Montenegro visits

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Kosovo, where her schedule includes talks with President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and then Montenegro, where she is to meet with President Jakov Milatovic and Prime Minister Milojko Spajic.

Far-right protest in London

Far-right figure Tommy Robinson has called on his followers to protest outside the prime minister’s office at Downing Street. Robinson plans to attend; he is also due to face contempt of court charges two days after earlier protest. Home Secretary has power to block protests if there is a significant risk of disorder. Stand Up to Racism and several unions have called for a counter-protest.

EURASIA

Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops continues in Donetsk, Russia’s Kursk region

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began an incursion in August, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues claiming advances on multiple fronts. Eurasia desk will particularly follow developments on Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims that about 2,000 Ukrainian troops are encircled in Kursk.

ASIA & PACIFIC

Commonwealth nations issue Samoa declaration

Summit of Commonwealth heads of government to issue joint declaration after two-day summit in Pacific nation of Samoa. Declaration is expected to note call for slavery reparations from British.

Japan set for snap elections

Two weeks of campaiging ends in Japan as over 105 million voters to cast votes in snap elections to lower house of parliament on Sunday.

Search and rescue continue as storm leaves dozens dead in Philippines

Search and rescue operations continue in Philippines, where a severe storm hit, resulting in dozens death. Government has mobilized military to help aid operation.

AFRICA

More than 1.3 million people affected by floods in South Sudan

Thousands of people in need of humanitarian aid cannot access it in parts of South Sudan due to heavy rainfall and flooding which has rendered supply routes impassable. UN says more than 1.3 million people are affected by floods and there is now fear waterborne diseases might break out.

SPORTS

El Clasico in Spanish LaLiga week 11 (Football)

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

English Premier League week 9 match (football)

Manchester City vs. Southampton