Morning Briefing: Dec. 5, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including the killing of dozens of Palestinians in Israeli airstrikes on schools, the US saying Iran is ultimately responsible for Red Sea attacks, Turkish President's visit to Qatar, and yet another call by the UN for a cease-fire in Gaza.

TOP STORIES

• 50 killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza schools

At least 50 people were killed and hundreds of others injured in Israeli airstrikes on two schools sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City on Monday, according to the official news agency Wafa.

Israeli fighter jets and artillery cannons shelled the UN-run schools in al-Darraj neighborhood.

At least 15,899 Palestinians have been killed and more than 42,000 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by Hamas.

• US says Iran ultimately responsible for Red Sea attacks

Iran is the "ultimate party responsible" for recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the White House said Monday after a series of ships came under attack over the weekend.

The US is currently in discussion with other countries about the formation of "maritime task forces" aimed at preventing additional attacks, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House.

• Turkish president, Qatari emir discuss Israel-Palestine conflict

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Monday discussed the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza.

According to a statement from Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, efforts for a cease-fire and permanent peace, and steps for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza were discussed.

President Erdogan emphasized that "Israel must be held accountable for the war crimes it has committed.”

Earlier, the two countries signed 12 cooperation agreements in various fields.

• UN renews call for cease-fire in Gaza

The UN on Monday reiterated its call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

A cross-section of the population of Gaza, civilians, esteemed scientists, journalists, and UN staff workers are dying in Gaza, and "this is why we want to renew our call for humanitarian cease-fire," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He added that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "extremely concerned" about the resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should face trial for being a "war criminal," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, slamming him as the "butcher of Gaza."
  
  
• Turkish authorities Monday said that they informed Israeli intelligence that any attempt to assassinate Hamas members living in Türkiye, as claimed by media outlets, would result in serious consequences.
  
  
• The Israeli army on Monday said two more soldiers were killed and two others injured in clashes with Palestinian fighters in the northern Gaza Strip.
  
  
• The US military announced Monday that it killed five militants who were preparing to launch a drone attack against American forces in northern Iraq.
  
  
• Hamas dismissed Israeli rape accusations against its fighters as a “desperate attempt” to distort the group’s humane treatment of Israeli hostages.
  
  
• World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged Israel to withdraw its order for the removal of medical supplies from its warehouse in the Gaza Strip.
  
  
• The Palestinian telecommunications company (PalTel) on Monday said that all communication and internet services in the Gaza Strip have been completely cut off, for the fourth time since Oct. 7.
  
  
• The British government was urged at an urgent question session in the House of Commons to act to end the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
  
  
• The suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is “intolerable” amid Israeli air and ground attacks, said International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric during her visit to the enclave.
  
  
• Beijing said Monday that a China-EU summit later this week will “draw a blueprint” for bilateral relations as the two sides celebrate 20 years of a comprehensive strategic partnership
  
  
  SPORTS
• Ex-Netherlands, Barcelona star dismissed by Turkish club

Former Netherlands and Barcelona forward Patrick Kluivert was dismissed on Monday by Turkish club Yukatel Adana Demirspor after serving as head coach for nearly half a year.

Earning 23 points in 14 weeks, Adana Demirspor are sitting fifth in Türkiye's top-tier Trendyol Super Lig currently led by Fenerbahce, who have 37 points.

• Fenerbahce retake lead in Turkish league before Besiktas derby

Fenerbahce retook the top spot in Türkiye's Trendyol Super Lig on Monday ahead of this weekend's derby with Besiktas.

The Yellow Canaries beat EMS Yapi Sivasspor 4-1 in a Super Lig match at home to lead the domestic football league on goal difference.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Israeli estimates of Gaza war to reach $51B

The Israeli Finance Ministry on Monday estimated the initial cost of the ongoing Gaza war at around 191 billion shekels ($51 billion).

Finance Ministry officials told the Knesset committee that tax revenues were falling even before the outbreak of the Gaza war in October.

Officials also estimate that Israel’s fiscal deficit will reach 3.7% in the 2023 budget, up from earlier estimates of 1.1%.

• Swiss bank to pay $122.9M to end US tax case

Swiss private bank Banque Pictet will pay $122.9 million to the US Treasury for helping American taxpayers hide more than $5.6 billion from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

"Swiss private bank Banque Pictet et Cie SA admitted today to conspiring with US taxpayers and others to hide more than $5.6 billion in 1,637 secret bank accounts in Switzerland and elsewhere and to conceal the income generated in those accounts from the IRS."