Morning Briefing: Feb. 20, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday, including the public hearings at the world court related to Israeli practices in occupied Palestinian territories, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Türkiye, EU launching naval mission to deter Red Sea attacks, and Brazil recalling its ambassador from Israel.

TOP STORIES

• Palestinian foreign minister urges world court to end Israeli occupation, declare it 'illegal'

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki addressed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday, urging the court to terminate the Israeli occupation and deem it "illegal."

"We call upon the International Court of Justice to declare the Israeli occupation illegal, and emphasize the necessity of ending it immediately and unconditionally," said al-Maliki.

The court sessions commenced Monday regarding the legal implications arising from Israel's policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The foreign minister said Israel had left Palestinians with only three options, displacement, detention, or death.

• Türkiye will keep working for validation of Azerbaijan's credentials at Council of Europe assembly: President

Türkiye will continue to work to get Azerbaijan's credentials at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) duly validated, said Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

“We will continue our support and efforts for Azerbaijan until the decision (not ratifying their credentials) is overturned,” President Erdogan told a news conference in Ankara alongside his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev.

Last month, PACE voted to deny validation to the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation to the body, alleging that it has not fulfilled major commitments under its Council of Europe membership.

• EU launches naval mission in Red Sea against Yemeni attacks

Seeking to counter a series of attacks on sea lanes by Yemeni Houthis, the European Union on Monday launched a new naval escort and protection operation in the Red Sea, according to a statement.

"Operation ASPIDES will ensure an EU naval presence in the area where numerous Houthi attacks have targeted international commercial vessels since October 2023," an EU Council statement read.

The EU and its "like-minded" international partners will work to ensure "freedom of navigation, especially for merchant and commercial vessels."

The defensive operation seeks to protect vessels "against possible multi-domain attacks at sea."

• Brazil recalls ambassador to Israel as diplomatic tensions surge

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recalled his country’s ambassador to Israel on Monday, hours after Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared Lula persona non grata in the country as tensions between the two countries continued to mount.

Foreign ​​​​​​​Minister Mauro Vieira called the Brazilian Ambassador in Tel Aviv Frederico Meyer back to the country for consultations and he is leaving for Brazil on Tuesday, said a statement by the country’s Foreign Ministry.

On Monday, Israel said Lula is not welcome in the country until he takes back comments he made comparing Israel’s war on Gaza to the Holocaust.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes in the town of Ghaziyeh in southern Lebanon on Monday, according to the Lebanese media.

• Qata's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari on Monday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war in the Gaza Strip after the premier's statements in which he called on Doha to pressure Hamas to release Israeli hostages.

• The Palestinian death toll from Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 rose to 29,092, the Health Ministry in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Monday.

• The Canadian government is donating 800 drones to help Ukraine in its war against Russia, Defense Minister Bill Blair announced Monday.

• The Arab Group in New York urged the UN Security Council on Monday to take immediate action on the Gaza Strip.

• The Palestinian resistance group Hamas stressed Monday that it would only accept a prisoner swap deal with Israel if it agreed to a full cease-fire and the entry of relief aid into the Gaza Strip.

• A rise in malnutrition among children and pregnant and breastfeeding women in the Gaza Strip poses grave threats to their health, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Monday.

• Finland and Sweden summoned the Russian ambassadors to their countries on Monday over the death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

• Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister warned Monday of firm action against those involved in blackmailing and pressuring civil servants as political parties continued to protest against alleged rigging in the Feb. 8 national elections.

• Sultan Kosen from Türkiye, the world's tallest man, met Jyoti Amge from India, who is currently the world's shortest woman, in Irvine, California, US on Monday.

SPORTS

• Bayer Leverkusen, Inter MIlan, PSG cement top spots in their respective leagues

Bayer Leverkusen in German Bundesliga, Inter Milan in Italian Serie A, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in French Ligue 1 cemented their top positions in their respective leagues.

English Premier League leaders Liverpool ended the week with a win while Spanish La Liga leaders Real Madrid drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano.

• Oliver Glasner appointed new manager of Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner on Monday signed a deal to become Crystal Palace's manager until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Glasner, 49, previously managed German clubs Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Norway set to serve as go-between for Palestinian Authority getting revenues from Israel

Norway said under a new deal, it will act as a go-between to enable the Palestinian Authority to get revenues collected by Israel on its behalf.

On Monday, the Scandinavian government said after the clashes starting last Oct. 7 with an attack by Hamas, the situation between the parties has been "deadlocked."

Norway's temporary scheme will play a "crucial role" in preventing the Palestinian Authority from collapsing financially, the statement said.

• Lufthansa ground staff to strike on Tuesday

Ground staff for Lufthansa airlines set to strike at major German airports on Tuesday, likely causing significant flight disruption and cancellations.

The Verdi union said in a statement that Lufthansa employees will stop work from 4 a.m. local time (0300GMT) to 7.10 a.m. (0610GMT) on Wednesday at seven airports, including the country’s busiest hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.

The strike action will also take place in Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, and Stuttgart airports, affecting over 100,000 passengers.