Diary

⁠ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

⁠Gaza ceasefire, prisoner swap deal

Day seven of ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as the first phase of the Hamas-Israel deal continues.

The phase, which includes a prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to last for 42 days.

Palestinian group Hamas’ armed wing on Friday announced the names of four Israeli female soldiers who will be released on Saturday as part of the prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel received from the mediators a list of captives to be released by Hamas on Saturday.

On Friday, Qadoura Fares, the head of the Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ Affairs, left the occupied West Bank for Cairo to prepare for Saturday's expected release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel.

So far, Israel has released 90 Palestinian detainees while Hamas released three Israeli captives under the deal.

Humanitarian, security situation in Gaza during ceasefire from Israeli genocidal war

The humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip after 471 days of the Israeli genocidal war.

On Friday, the Gaza Civil Defense teams removed remains of 17 Palestinians from under the rubble of destroyed homes in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

The overall death toll in Gaza since October 2023 has surged to nearly 47,300, with more than 111,100 others injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

⁠⁠West Bank raids

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

Marking the 4th consecutive day of its incursion into the Jenin area in the northern occupied West Bank, the Israeli military on Friday sent additional reinforcements into the Jenin refugee camp, escalating the violence as clashes and explosions reverberated through the area.

Since the start of the offensive, Israeli bulldozers have been systematically demolishing infrastructure and commercial property within the camp.

At least 12 Palestinians have been killed and 40 others injured in the attack, according to local health authorities.

Israel has killed at least 873 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023 and injured over 6,700 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

⁠Developments in Syria under new administration

Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Bashar Assad administration.

On Friday, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Damascus for his first official visit to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime last month.

The visit, part of a broader series of Arab, regional, international, and UN delegations to Syria, aims to assess the Syrian leadership’s vision for the country’s new phase.

⁠Israeli violations of ceasefire deal with Lebanon

November ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon aimed to end over 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, with the deadline for Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon set for Saturday.

Two days before the deadline for its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the Israeli army on Friday entered the southern towns of Aitaroun and Qantara.

Moreover, Israel on Friday said the withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon could take longer than the 60-day period outlined in the ceasefire agreement.

In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that the army’s “withdrawal process is conditional upon the Lebanese Army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, while Hezbollah withdraws beyond the Litani.”

Israel has carried out nearly 660 violations of the ceasefire deal as of Friday, killing 37 people and injuring an additional 45, according to Lebanese official data compiled by Anadolu.

Deteriorating situation in war-torn Sudan

A dire security situation in the North African nation amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

According to local sources, the Sudanese army on Friday advanced toward Bahri City area of the capital Khartoum, and also managed to lift the siege imposed by the RSF on the area of the army's Signal Corps base.

Court refuses to extend arrest period of impeached president

Developments in South Korea where a court rejected a request from prosecution to extend arrest period of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon is facing a case of insurrection and abuse of power over short-lived martial law.

North Korea likely to react as Trump signals reviving talks

Pyongyang may react to newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump’s openness to reviving dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump and Kim met thrice during Trump’s.

Rebel offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Developments in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where M23 rebels have launched a fresh offensive, displacing thousands of people. The rebels also claimed to have assassinated the governor of North Kivu province, Maj. Gen Peter Cirimwami.

They also warned the peacekeeping forces of the UN and South African Development Community against direct or indirect support to soldiers of government based in capital Kinshasa.

Health situation in Africa amid rise in cholera, malaria cases

Health situation in Africa where malaria and cholera cases are rising. Mpox cases were also reported across the continent.

Gas and Energy Summit begins in Mozambique

Two-day gas and energy summit begins in Mozambique where ministers and experts will attend and give speeches focusing on sustainability.

SPORTS

Women's final of Australian Open, 1st Grand Slam of the season, to be played.

English Premier League week 23 (Football)Manchester City vs. Chelsea

Italian Serie A week 22 (Football)Napoli vs. Juventus