Morning Briefing: August 2, 2024

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including Türkiye's intelligence agency orchestrating a historic prisoner swap involving seven countries, Turkish President Erdogan's calling for action for Muslims and Christians in Palestine to find peace, and Israel claiming that Mohammad Deif, the commander of Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in an airstrike last month.

TOP STORIES

• Türkiye's intelligence agency orchestrates historic prisoner swap involving 7 countries

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) led a successful prisoner exchange involving seven countries in one of the most extensive swap operations in recent years.

A total of 26 individuals were exchanged and transported to the Turkish capital Ankara on seven aircraft, according to security sources. Belarus was also involved in the swap.

Ten prisoners, including two children, were transferred to Russia, while 13 were sent to Germany and three to the US.

• Turkish president calls for action for Muslims, Christians in Palestine to find peace

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for action "as the alliance of humanity, before it is too late for Muslims and Christians living in Palestine to find peace."

He was speaking by phone with Pope Francis, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

"The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the (Palestinian group) Hamas's political bureau, and an attack on Lebanon demonstrate that Israel poses a threat to the entire region, world and humanity," President Erdogan said during the call with the spiritual leader of the world's Catholics.

Erdogan said he believes that Pope Francis's talks with countries that support Israel to stop the attacks and achieve lasting peace will be beneficial before permanent damage is done to the political, security and social structure of the region and the world.

• Israel claims top Hamas commander dead despite group’s denial

The Israeli army claimed that Mohammad Deif, the commander of Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in an airstrike last month.

“We can now confirm: Mohammed Deif was eliminated,” the army said in a statement.

The army claimed that it obtained intelligence information in the last few hours confirming the Hamas commander’s death, according to The Times of Israel newspaper

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A barrage of missiles was launched from southern Lebanon into northern Israel
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his US counterpart Joe Biden that Israel does not want a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
• The US had been working on a deal that would have freed Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny before his death, the White House said, hours after a swap deal between Washington and Moscow.
• The body of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh arrived in the Qatari capital of Doha from Iran and will be buried Friday, according to Qatari media.
• Eight Russian citizens who were detained or imprisoned in a number of countries have returned home following a major prisoner swap operation led by Türkiye.
• The UN welcomed a major prisoner exchange involving seven countries in one of the most extensive swap operations in recent years.
• An Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon has resulted in four Syrian fatalities and five Lebanese injuries, according to Lebanese health officials. The attack targeted a Syrian family's home.
• US President Joe Biden thanked allies, including Türkiye, for a major prisoner swap between the US and Russia.
• Russia said that the organizers of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran are counting on involving the US in the region to erase UN resolutions on Palestine.
• Elon Musk accepted a challenge from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to fight after the billionaire repeatedly attacked the president’s “massive election fraud” in Sunday's presidential polls and called Maduro a “dictator” on X.
• Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah vowed a “real response” to an Israeli airstrike that killed the group’s senior commander Fuad Shukr in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
• At least 30 people were confirmed dead while 35 others went missing after heavy rains in central China.
• China called for easing tensions in the Middle East after attacks in Beirut and Tehran, saying Beijing opposes foreign interference in the region
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on all parties in the Middle East to de-escalate tensions and urgently achieve a cease-fire in Gaza.
• Lithuania's foreign minister announced that the first batch of F-16 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine.
• Israeli protesters blocked a main highway in Tel Aviv to demand a prisoner swap deal with the Palestinian group Hamas.

SPORTS

• US gymnast Simone Biles becomes oldest all-around champion since 1952

American artistic gymnast Simone Biles became the oldest all-around champion since 1952.

The 27-year-old American gymnast outlasted second-place Rebeca Andrade of Brazil and her third-place teammate Sunisa Lee.

"Biles dazzled once again, earning a 59.131 total in the all-around, holding off Andrade (57.932). Tokyo 2020 champ Suni Lee finished with the bronze at 56.465," the Olympics said in a statement.

• ‘I don’t need any optical gadget as they are not comfortable’: Turkish Olympic silver medalist shooter

Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish Olympic silver medalist shooter, said he does not favor using equipment like lenses, eye caps or ear protection during competitions and that he feels quite uncomfortable with such gear.

Upon arriving at Istanbul Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight from Paris, Dikec and his team were greeted by Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports officials and enthusiastic young athletes after he earned a silver medal for Türkiye in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"We might appear at ease, but inside we are battling a storm, and it feels like our hearts might burst. We strive to keep this from showing. Since I shoot with my both eyes open, I don't find the equipment very comfortable. I believe that highlighting one's talent is essential," Dikec said.

• Italian premier urges fairness in women's sports after Italian boxer defeated by Algerian

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed concern for the participation of athletes with male genetic characteristics in women's competitions.

"I think that athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women's competitions," Meloni was quoted by the Italian news agency ANSA as saying.

"And not because you want to discriminate against someone, but to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms."

Her comments were made after Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her Olympics match in Paris after suffering powerful punches by her Algerian opponent, Imane Khelif, who previously failed a gender eligibility test.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Bitcoin falls below $63,000 after being above mark for 17 days

The price of Bitcoin plummeted below $63,000 after being above that mark for 17 days.

Bitcoin saw its price dive to as low as $62,313 during the day, while it was trading around $62,842 at 2.58 p.m. EDT for a daily loss of 5.5%.

The world's biggest cryptocurrency last saw below $63,000 on July 15.

• Türkiye expected to boost exports to Gulf countries with free trade deal as talks progress

Türkiye is expected to boost its exports to Gulf countries as the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement between Ankara and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reached completion.

According to the Turkish Trade Ministry, the negotiations were conducted in the country's capital Ankara with the participation of representatives from the six-nation GCC, which consists of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The general framework of the agreement was established during the initial round, while the participating parties heard each other’s demands and expectations