Morning Briefing: Feb. 1, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday, including the storming of a hospital in southern Gaza by Israeli army, the ICJ ruling on Ukraine’s terror finance case against Russia, the launch of EU's Red Sea protection mission, and the exchange of military personnel between Russia and Ukraine.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli army storms Al-Amal Hospital in southern Gaza Strip

The Israeli army stormed the courtyard of Al-Amal Hospital affiliated with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip following a 10-day siege.

“Occupation forces are currently raiding Al-Amal Hospital square (and are) stationed in front of the external gate of the reception and emergency department and firing heavily,” the Red Crescent said on X.

“Today, the hospital received seven martyrs, including a PRCS employee, and attended to nine injuries. The siege and targeting have endured for the tenth consecutive day.”

• ICJ largely rejects Ukraine's claims in terror finance case against Russia

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) rejected almost all of Ukraine's claims on Russia violating the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

Russia has not fulfilled its obligations only on one provision of the convention, said ICJ President Joan Donoghue while reading out the decision in The Hague.

"Russia failed to fulfill its obligations to conduct investigations against individuals who allegedly could finance terrorism in Ukraine," she said.

Most of Ukraine's claims under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination were also found ungrounded.

• EU's Red Sea protection mission set to launch by Feb. 19

An EU naval mission to protect commercial vessels in the Red Sea against Houthi attacks will be launched by Feb. 19, said the bloc’s foreign policy chief.

Maritime security in the Red Sea has "significantly deteriorated over the last weeks," Josep Borrell told a press conference following an informal meeting of the EU defense ministers in Brussels.

Borrell said the new maritime operation is "in a purely defensive mode to protect merchant vessels, to non-executive task of a company to deter with presence, and to strengthen maritime situational awareness."

• Russia, Ukraine announce exchange of over 400 military personnel

Russia and Ukraine announced that a prisoner exchange took place between the two countries involving more than 400 military personnel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement on X that 207 people have returned to Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, said the 207 people are comprised of personnel from the country’s Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service and National Police.

The Russian Defense Ministry declared that 195 Russian military personnel have been released as a result of the exchange.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor condemned continued Israeli attacks on hospitals in Palestine and said Tel Aviv’s actions go against recent provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

• Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the crashed military plane in the country’s Belgorod region a week ago was “shot down” by a Patriot air defense system.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) chief warned that suspending funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees will have “catastrophic consequences” for people in the besieged enclave of Gaza.

• The US formally attributed blame for a deadly suicide drone attack that killed three American troops in Jordan to an umbrella organization of Iranian-backed militias.

• The 1936 Montreux Convention, which regulates the passage of ships through the Turkish Straits, remains a "guarantee" for regional security, Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.

• The death toll from Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has jumped to 26,900 since Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the besieged Palestinian enclave said.

• Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years in prison in the state gifts case.

• The US is "actively" pursuing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state "with real security guarantees" for Israel, a State Department spokesman said.

SPORTS

• Japan, Iran into Asian Cup quarterfinals

Japan and Iran have qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup quarterfinals.

Four-time champions Japan beat Bahrain 3-1 in a Round of 16 match. Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda scored for the Samurai Blue at Doha's Al Thumama Stadium.

In the last 16, Iran defeated Syria 5-3 on penalties after regular time and extra time was 1-1 in Doha.

• 2024 Argentina Moto GP canceled due to economic crisis

The 2024 Argentina Moto GP was canceled due to the economic crisis in the country.

The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports confirm the cancellation of the 2024 Argentina GP.

The race was due to take place on April 7 in the city of Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina's north.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US Fed keeps interest rate unchanged, highest in 23 years

As widely expected, the US Federal Reserve kept its federal funds rate unchanged, in the 5.25%-5.5% target range – the highest level in nearly a quarter-century.

"Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace," it said in a statement at the end of its first two-day meeting in 2024.

• Canada's economy expanded 0.2% in November 2023

Canada's economy expanded 0.2% in November 2023 after remaining unchanged for three consecutive months, the country's statistical body said.

The market expectation for real gross domestic product (GDP) was to show an increase of 0.1% on a monthly basis.

The majority of the growth in November came from goods producing industries with a gain of 0.6%.