Morning Briefing: Feb. 16, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday, including concerns over disaster at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital after conversion into Israeli military barracks, delivery of 1 million drones to Ukraine by NATO, dissolution of parliament in Kuwait, and a plan for a Palestinian state by US, Arab countries.

TOP STORIES

• Gaza Health Ministry warns of disaster at Nasser Hospital

The Israeli army has endangered the lives of patients at the Nasser Medical Complex, the main health care facility in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip, by converting it into military barracks, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave warned on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, the ministry said in a statement that the Israeli occupation forces raided the Nasser Medical Complex after demolishing the southern wall.

It also issued a warning about "the cessation of generators due to fuel depletion within the next 24 hours, endangering the lives of patients, including six patients on ventilators in the intensive care unit, and three children in the nursery."

• NATO allies aim to deliver 1M drones to Ukraine, says alliance chief

NATO member states are aiming to deliver 1 million drones to Ukraine, the defense alliance's secretary-general announced on Thursday.

"A group of allies is coming together with a goal of delivering 1 million drones to Ukraine," Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference following the defense ministers' meeting in Brussels.

"We need to shift from the slow pace of peacetime to the high tempo production demanded by conflict," he added. "Twenty NATO allies have also agreed to form a demining coalition. All of this will help to save Ukrainian lives."

• Kuwaiti crown prince dissolves parliament for violating constitution

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Thursday dissolved the country’s National Assembly through a decree, citing the parliament’s violation of the constitution, the state-run Kuwait News Agency reported.

“The decree, which cited Article 107 of the constitution, said the National Assembly had violated the constitution within the context of using improper terms in addressing His Highness the Amir,” the news agency said.

“The prime minister, ministers, and other concerned parties must implement this decree, effective as of the time of its issuance,” the news agency noted.

• US, Arab nations working on ‘Palestinian state plan,’ reports US media

The US, along with some Arab nations, is actively engaged in crafting a detailed plan aimed at establishing a Palestinian state, US media reported on Thursday.

According to sources among US and Arab officials cited in a report by The Washington Post, there's a sense of urgency to finalize the plan, which seeks to foster long-term peace between Israel and Palestine.

Efforts are underway to define a specific timeline for the establishment of the Palestinian state, with indications suggesting an announcement could come within the coming weeks, the report noted.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Israeli army began reducing its reserve forces in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, according to Israeli media, with the departure of the 646th Paratroopers Brigade from Khan Younis.

• Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that the EU should adopt a strategic mindset and move away from employing "identity politics" in its relations with Türkiye.

• At least 10 people were killed, including four children, in an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, according to the official news agency Wafa.

• Hezbollah on Thursday said it fired a barrage of rockets on the settlement of Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel in response to the Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

• Stella Assange, the wife of the imprisoned WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, said her husband is already suffering from many health problems and that “he will die” if he is extradited to the US by the UK government.

• Families of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza closed a main street in Tel Aviv on Thursday to pressure the government into striking a deal with the Palestinian group Hamas to release their loved ones, according to local media.

• British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II “agreed it was critical as a first step to secure an immediate humanitarian pause” in Gaza, a UK government statement said Thursday.

• The US is committed to supporting Albania on its path to European Union accession and in fighting corruption and organized crime, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.

• Israel accused South Africa on Thursday of abusing the International Court of Justice's jurisdiction by requesting new measures due to plans by the Israeli army to expand its ground assault into the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

SPORTS

• Van den Boomen, Berghuis rescue 2-2 draw for Ajax against Bodo/Glimt

Ajax rescued a 2-2 home draw over Bodo/Glimt Thursday, thanks to late goals scored by Van den Boomen and Steven Berghuis in the UEFA Conference League playoff first leg.

Albert Gronbaek scored twice in the 16th and 64th minutes against the Dutch club.

Branco Van Den Boomen converted a penalty kick successfully. Steven Berghuis made a classy close-range finish in the seventh minute.

• Icardi's late goal gives Galatasaray 3-2 win over Sparta Praha

Mauro Icardi's late goal led Galatasaray a 3-2 win over Sparta Praha in the UEFA Europa League playoff first leg on Thursday.

Galatasaray broke the deadlock with a close-range finish from Kerem Demirbay in the 19th minute but Sparta Praha leveled the game with Angelo Preciado in the 47th minute at RAMS Park.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye aims to increase trade volume with Saudi Arabia to $30B: Vice president

Türkiye aims to increase its trade volume with Saudi Arabia to $30 billion in the medium term, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Thursday at the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Investment and Business Forum's event in Istanbul.

The trade volume between the countries reached $6.8 billion in 2023, while Saudi firms have made an investment of $2 billion in Türkiye so far.​​​​​​​

• Fed official says US dollar will remain as world's reserve currency

US Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Thursday he expects the American dollar to remain as the world's reserve currency, despite the wide use of the euro and the rise of Bitcoin.

"When people refer to the dollar and its reserve currency status, they typically mix together a variety of roles that it plays on the world stage," Waller said during his speech at a conference in Bahamas.