Morning Briefing: Dec. 18, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday, including the death of dozens of Palestinians in Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia, Turkish foreign minister’s phone conversation with US counterpart, and declaration of victory by the ruling party in Serbia’s snap elections.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli airstrikes kill 30 in Jabalia in northern Gaza

More than 30 Palestinians were killed and scores went missing following Israeli airstrikes on houses in the city of Jabalia in northern Gaza.

Civil defense teams recovered more than 30 bodies, the Palestine TV Channel said, adding that round 100 people were estimated to remain trapped under the rubble.

At least 18,800 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, mostly of them women and children, and 51,000 injured since Oct. 7, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

• Turkish foreign minister calls for US intervention in Israel’s attacks on Gaza

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called on the US to use its influence over Israel to stop the attacks on the Gaza Strip during his talks with his American counterpart Antony Blinken.

According to diplomatic sources, Fidan over the phone pointed out that the situation in Gaza and West Bank is deteriorating, and urged the US to exert pressure on Israel to halt attacks.

The Turkish foreign minister also emphasized that Israel should be brought to the table to begin a political process based on a two-state solution, following a complete cease-fire.

• Serbia's president declares victory in snap elections

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic declared victory in snap parliamentary and local elections held on Sunday.

Vucic said his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which appeared on the ballot under the name “Aleksandar Vucic — Serbia must not stop!,” won the majority of seats in the 250-seat parliament with 46.5% of the vote.

"Serbia must not stop! won 127 seats based on a sample of 76% of the counted votes," he said, adding that it also won local elections in the capital Belgrade.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 92 journalists have been killed in the ongoing Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, the government media office in the besieged Palestinian enclave said.

• Relatives of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza organized a protest in Tel Aviv, urging the government to make extra efforts for their release.

• At least two more Israeli soldiers killed in battles in the Gaza Strip, taking the army death toll since Oct. 7 to more than 450.

• World Health Organization chief expressed concern over recent events unfolding at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, the facility which has been extensively damaged by the Israeli army.

• The Palestinian Authority urged France to help resolve the problem of settler violence against Palestinians.

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated that Israel’s right to self-defense should be in line with international law.

• Sudan’s Sennar and northern states declared a state of emergency after fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces nearby.

• A high-level delegation from North Korea visited Beijing late last week, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Foreign Vice-Minister Sun Weidong met North Korean counterpart Pak Myong-ho and agreed to "strengthen strategic communication and coordination.”

• At least 505 Palestinians, including 111 children, have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank this year, the Health Ministry said.

SPORTS

• Eczacibasi Dynavit win women's Volleyball Club World Championship

Istanbul's Eczacibasi Dynavit won the 2023 women's Volleyball Club World Championship.

In the all-Turkish final in China's Hangzhou, Eczacibasi Dynavit beat VakifBank 3-2 with the sets of 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 15-9 to win the world title for a third time in history.

They previously won it in 2015 and 2016.

• Liverpool vs. Man Utd clash ends 0-0, Arsenal top English Premier League

Sunday's Liverpool vs. Manchester United showdown ended 0-0, and Arsenal topped the English Premier League standings with a 2-0 win over Brighton in London.

Liverpool was unable to return to the top of the league after a goalless draw at the Anfield.

Earlier, Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Telecom services gradually restored in Gaza after 4-day blackout

Telecommunications service partially returned to the Gaza Strip on Sunday after a 4-day blackout, telecom company Jawwal said.

The company said in a statement that phone and internet services were restored in areas in the central and southern Gaza Strip.

“Our technicians are doing everything possible to restore the service to all areas of the Gaza Strip,” it added.​​​​​​​