Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new administration following the overthrow of the Baathist regime.

On Saturday, Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports said that all border crossings in the northern Aleppo countryside have been handed over to the new Syrian administration, in coordination with neighboring Türkiye.

Qatar’s minister of state at the Foreign Ministry on Saturday held discussions with the new Syrian administration’s foreign minister on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Damascus International Airport is set to resume international flights on Tuesday, the head of the Syrian Civil Aviation and Air Transport Authority announced.

More political and diplomatic visits to Damascus by Arab and other international officials and meetings with Syrian officials are expected.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

Israel continues its relentless genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, disregarding international calls to end hostilities and address the severe hardships endured by millions under constant attacks and a devastating blockade, with winter weather setting in.

Israeli warplanes bombed a residential block in Gaza City, killing five Palestinians and injuring dozens, Gaza Civil Defense said Saturday.

As of Saturday, the overall death toll due to Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year climbed to over 45,700, with nearly 108,900 others injured.

Israel’s escalating blockade, ground invasion of northern Gaza Strip

Israel’s ongoing military operations, displacement, and blockade in northern Gaza since Oct. 5, bringing devastating humanitarian consequences for thousands of Palestinians trapped there and claiming the lives of more than 4,800 people.

On Saturday, the Israeli army shelled the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza and continued demolishing structures in Beit Hanoun and the Jabalia refugee camp.

Gaza cease-fire talks

Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas.

On Saturday, the families of Israeli captives in Gaza called on Tel Aviv to immediately finalize a hostage swap deal after Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, released a video showing one of the captives held since October 2023 alive.

Israel said Friday that its delegation left for the Qatari capital Doha as part of efforts to reach a prisoner exchange deal and a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Over one month of Nov. 27 cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

Israeli tanks, accompanied by a military bulldozer, advanced into the town of Maroun Al-Ras and the neighborhood of Aqabat Maroun in the city of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, the state news agency said Saturday.

More Israeli forces advanced toward the town of Burj Al-Muluk in the Marjeyoun district of Nabatieh, stationed in the town, and blocked the road with barbed wire, added the agency.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Saturday condemned the Israeli army’s destruction of a Lebanese army observation tower and the removal of a blue barrel marking the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned on Saturday that his group’s patience “might run out” over Israeli violations of the cease-fire agreement.

By Saturday evening, Israel had committed 383 violations of the cease-fire agreement, so far resulting in 32 deaths and 39 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on official Lebanese data.

West Bank raids

Near-daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, and illegal settler violence against Palestinians and their property.

The Israeli army injured a child and detained three Palestinians on Saturday evening, while settlers launched attacks that included burning property in the occupied West Bank.

Israel has killed at least 836 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 12,100 taken into custody.

Blinken pays final trip to South Korea as top US diplomat

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken due in Seoul to hold talks with his South Korean counterpart and meet other officials. This is the first visit by a high-ranking US official to Seoul following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law declaration last month, and also likely Blinken’s last trip there before the Biden administration leaves office on Jan. 20.

India issues NOTAM warning in Bay of Bengal

India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning for an area spanning 3,555 kilometers (about 2,210 miles) for a likely missile test in the Bay of Bengal on Jan. 5-7.

US national security advisor visits India

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to pay two-day trip to India, where he is expected to discuss the impact of Chinese dams besides bilateral and regional issues. It would be Sullivan's last trip to India, a strategic partner of the US, before the Biden administration exits the White House on Jan. 20.

China's top diplomat begins Africa tour

As is customary for Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi begins his first overseas trip of the New Year with a visit to Africa, starting Sunday. Wang is set to visit Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria through Jan. 11.

SPORTS

English Premier League: (Football)

Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Italian Serie A: (Football)

Roma vs. Lazio

Atalanta vs. Juventus

French Super Cup Final (Football)

PSG vs. Monaco