Diary

ANKARA (AA) — Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

Developments in phase one of Gaza ceasefire agreement.

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

Six Israeli captives set to be released on Saturday as part of the seventh exchange in the ceasefire, while Israel will release 602 Palestinian prisoners in return.

To date, 19 Israeli captives and five Thai workers have been released in exchange for 1,135 Palestinian prisoners under phase one.

Hamas on Thursday handled over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Palestinian group handed over the body of an unidentified woman from Gaza instead of that of hostage Shiri Bibas.

Red Cross on Friday informed Israel that it received a body from Hamas, which the group said was of Bibas, according to an official.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza

Humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to violate the Jan. 19 ceasefire agreement.

The Gaza media office said over 350 Israeli violations of the deal have so far been recorded, including killing and injuring dozens of Palestinians.

The overall death toll in Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 has surpassed 48,300.

Israeli raids in West Bank

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, especially in Jenin, accompanied by illegal settler violence against Palestinians and their property.

Netanyahu entered on Friday a Palestinian home in the Tulkarem refugee camp accompanied by soldiers.

His visit came just hours after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz entered the same home during his own tour of the area.

He instructed an “intensive” military crackdown in the occupied territory after explosions tore through three empty buses in parking lots in the Tel Aviv suburbs of Bat Yam and Holon on Thursday evening.

Separately, the Israeli army announced that it has deployed three additional brigades to the occupied territory.

Last month, the Israeli army launched a military offensive on the northern West Bank, which resulted in at least 60 fatalities and thousands of displacements.

Israel has killed at least 920 people in the occupied territory since October 2023 and injured nearly 7,000 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Syria’s foreign minister visit to Iraq

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is expected to travel to Baghdad on Saturday, marking his first official visit to Iraq.

Last week, Shaibani confirmed receiving an official invitation to visit Iraq.

Israel's violations in southern Lebanon following partial withdrawal

Aftermath of a partial Israeli army withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

On Friday, the Israeli army said it launched airstrikes on sites along the Syria-Lebanon border, claiming that Hezbollah was using them to transfer weapons into Lebanon.

A military statement said “such actions by Hezbollah violate the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon.”

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has committed nearly 1,000 violations, killing and injuring dozens in Lebanon, including women and children.

Syria under new administration

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

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Chinese Ambassador to Syria Shi Hongwei on Friday. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was also in attendance.

The meeting was part of a series of visits and meetings with regional and international officials.

Military situation in war-torn Sudan

The security situation in the northern African country as the Sudanese army in recent days has gained ground against paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key areas and states.

On Friday, the Sudanese army continued its advance in the western axis of Al-Jazirah state. It confirmed that its forces had taken control of the eastern and western Saddira areas in the state.

Europe-wide demonstrations for Ukraine

March in support of Ukraine takes place in many cities in Europe to mark the three-year anniversary of the Ukraine-Russia war.

German leaders hold final campaign rallies

Conservative opposition leader and chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz will hold his final campaign rally in the southeastern city of Munich.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, meanwhile, will meet voters at his final campaign event in Potsdam, near Berlin.

Recent polls show Merz's center-right CDU/CSU alliance leading with 30%, though unable to secure an outright majority in parliament.

Analysts expect him to seek a coalition with either the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) or the Greens to form a government.

Chancellor Scholz's SPD currently stands at 16%, with the Greens at 14%. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is positioned to become parliament's second-largest party at 20%.

However, the AfD appears unlikely to be part of any coalition government, as all other parties have rejected working with the far-right group.

Chinese warships continue voyage around Australia, New Zealand

Chinese warships are on a voyage around Australia and New Zealand and are likely holding drills in international waters. Canberra has diverted many air flight routes. Both Canberra ands Wellington are following the voyage which is a likely tit for tat move by Beijing as Australian air and naval forces fly and sail spy planes and war ships in disputed South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

Impeachment trial of South Korea’s president

Proceedings of impeachment trial of South Korea’s imprisoned President Yoon Suk Yeol continue over short-lived martial law bid. Yoon was also booked over his alleged attempt to block his arrest. Yoon has already been indicted over abuse of power as well as insurrection and is facing unprecedented criminal trial.

Opposition rally in Moldova

Protest rally by the opposition Party of Socialists of Moldova, demanding the resignation of the ruling Action and Solidarity Party’s government, is set to take place in the capital Chisinau.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Germany elections: Voters deeply concerned over economy, far-right rise

Report on German voters’ growing anxieties over the country’s economic challenges and the rising influence of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary election.

The story has perspectives from voters across different age groups, highlighting concerns about political polarization, economic uncertainty, and external influences, including those from the Trump administration and tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Interviews with voters reflect a spectrum of reactions, from deep concern over democratic stability to outright frustration with American interference. Many respondents argue that the AfD provides no real solutions to Germany’s challenges, while others emphasize the need for democratic participation to counter the party’s growing momentum.

Germany elections: All you need to know

Report on Germany’s high-stakes parliamentary elections set for Sunday.

The story presents a comprehensive overview of the leading chancellor candidates, including Friedrich Merz and Olaf Scholz, highlighting their policy priorities. It also has the latest polling data and charts all the potential post-election coalition scenarios.

The report also explores the key campaign issues driving voter decisions and the potential impact of immigrant voters on the election outcome.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interviews with German voters ahead of crucial elections in the country this Sunday, focusing on their major concerns and expectations for Germany’s political and economic future.