Morning Briefing: Dec. 16, 2023

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including the Israeli army ‘mistakenly’ killing 3 Israeli hostages in Gaza, Israel’s attack on Anadolu photojournalist in East Jerusalem and a Kremlin statement on an EU decision about Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli army says it ‘mistakenly’ killed 3 Israeli hostages in warn-torn Gaza

The Israeli military announced it mistakenly killed three hostages in the battle-torn Gaza Strip.

Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari described it as "tragic" and said the army "bears responsibility,” according to the Times of Israel news website.

He identified two of the hostages who were killed as Yotam Haim and Samer Talalka, but did not identify the third upon request by his family.

The Israeli army said it is opening an investigation to look into the circumstances of the deaths.

• Israeli forces violently attack Anadolu photojournalist in East Jerusalem

The Israeli army violently attacked Anadolu photojournalist Mustafa Alkharouf, who was working in occupied East Jerusalem.

The incident occurred as a group of Palestinians gathered in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood near the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray amid restrictions imposed by the Israeli army at the mosque for the past 10 weeks.

Israeli police, who set up barricades in the area, first pulled their weapons on Alkharouf, who was covering the prayers, and threw him to the ground, beating and kicking him while he was on the ground.

Alkharouf suffered several strikes to his face and was transported by ambulance to the Makassed Hospital in occupied East Jerusalem.

• Kremlin says EU decision on Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia attempt to 'annoy Russia'

The Kremlin criticized the European Council's decisions to start EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, and grant candidate status to Georgia, labeling it as an attempt to “annoy Russia.”

The move is “largely based on the desire to annoy Russia even more and antagonize these countries toward Russia,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

Describing the decision to begin accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova as politicized, Peskov suggested that it could potentially destabilize the European Union.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Al Jazeera journalist Samer Abu Daqqa died after being injured in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza and then forced to wait hours for medical treatment.
• The Israeli military reported that one soldier was killed and four sustained severe injuries during confrontations with Palestinian resistance groups in the Gaza Strip.
• Iranian authorities confirmed that an armed assault on a police station in southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan provinces resulted in the loss of at least 11 police officers.
  
• The European Commission's immediate priority is to deliver as much humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as possible, according to the head of the commission.
  
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Israel is now heading toward international isolation, a trend which will only grow in coming days.
  
• Israel's War Cabinet member Benny Gantz issued a warning on Friday to push the Lebanese Hezbollah group from the borders if the world does not take action.
• Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza threatened a hunger strike Friday until their demands are met to strike a prisoner swap deal with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, according to media reports.
  
• Pakistan's election body issued the schedule late Friday for general elections to be held Feb. 8, following an order by the country’s top court.
  
• A pair of ballistic missiles were fired Friday from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward international shipping lanes in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, according to the US military.
  
• Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib urged a “comprehensive package” Friday to implement UN Resolution 1701, including Israel’s withdrawal from occupied areas in Lebanon and the cessation of ground, maritime and aerial violations, according to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry.
  
• The French president on Friday suggested that EU members coordinate better in the fight against terror attacks in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
  
• The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the opening of Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza on Friday but argued what is needed is to be able to reach all Gazans in need.

SPORTS

• Fenerbahce Beko defeat Monaco 86-74 in EuroLeague

Fenerbahce Beko defeated Monaco 86-74 in a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 14 game.

The Istanbul-based basketball club led in all four quarters in their first EuroLeague game under the helm of new head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius.

• Al Ahly, Urawa Red reach semifinals of 2023 FIFA Club World Cup

Egyptian side Al Ahly and Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds reached the semifinals Friday of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

Al Ahly beat Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad 3-1 to advance at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Al Ahly's Ali Maaloul netted the first goal on a penalty kick in the 21st minute before Al Ittihad's French veteran striker Karim Benzema missed a penalty, which was given due to a handball in the 45th minute.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US stocks open Friday mixed, but heading for weekly gains

US stocks opened mixed on Friday, but they were heading for weekly gains after the Federal Reserve indicated multiple rate cuts in coming years.

The Dow was down 73 points, or 0.2%, to 37,178 at 9.59 a.m. EDT. The S&P 500 fell 5.6 points, or 0.12%, to 4,713.

The Nasdaq, on the other hand, increased 44 points, or 0.3%, to 14,802.

• Turkish Airlines places historic order with Airbus

National flag carrier Turkish Airlines announced a historic order with Airbus for 355 state-of-the-art aircraft.

The move will help the airline enhance its operational efficiency, environmental stewardship and passenger comfort, according to a statement.

"This landmark order is more than an expansion; it's a testament to our dedication to innovation, operational excellence, and a sustainable future," said Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat.​​​​​​​