Morning Briefing: February 26, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday, including Ukrainian president's announcement that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in Russian war, US Air Force member self-immolating outside Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., Israel sending delegation to Qatar for hostage talks and catastrophic health conditions in northern Gaza.

TOP STORIES

• 31,000 Ukrainian troops killed in war with Russia, says Ukrainian president

Over the past two years, 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the country's war against Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday.

Speaking at a forum in the capital Kyiv, Zelenskyy said 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers "have died in this war."

"Not 300,000 or 150,000, or whatever (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his lying circle are saying. But each of these losses is a great loss for us," he said at the event, titled Ukraine. Year 2024. This was the first time that Kyiv has confirmed the number of its losses.

• US Air Force member self-immolates outside Israeli embassy in Washington over Gaza war

An active-duty member of the US Air Force set himself on fire Sunday outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. in protest against the war in Gaza, according to multiple reports.

The fire was extinguished by Secret Service personnel and the man was subsequently dispatched to an area hospital due to "critical life-threatening injuries," said the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.

Multiple reports citing the live streaming of the incident said the man shouted "Free Palestine" as he burned.

• Israel to send delegation to Qatar for hostage exchange talks: Report

An Israeli delegation will arrive in Qatar on Monday to hold discussions with mediators on the details of a possible hostage exchange deal with Hamas in exchange for a temporary cease-fire in the war in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Sunday.

“The Israeli delegation includes representatives from the Mossad intelligence agency and the Israeli army and will arrive in Qatar on Monday, even though Hamas has not yet responded to the new broad outlines of the deal agreed upon in the Paris talks,” said the newspaper.

• Health conditions ‘extremely catastrophic’ in northern Gaza, ministry warns

Health conditions are “extremely catastrophic” in the northern Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the enclave said Sunday.

“The health situation in northern Gaza is extremely catastrophic and indescribable,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said hospitals in Gaza’s north don’t have fuel. Dozens of ambulances, civil defense and medical services vehicles are out of service due to the lack of fuel,” it added.

The Health Ministry warned that kidney dialysis and intensive care patients “are at risk of death as a result of the lack of fuel for generators, ambulances, and medicines."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he could delay a planned ground attack in Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip if Hamas “comes down to a reasonable situation.”

• A severe famine in the Gaza Strip can be averted if aid is allowed in, the commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Sunday.

• Israel will intensify its strikes on the Lebanese Hezbollah group even if a temporary cease-fire is reached with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Sunday.

• A Yemeni civilian was killed and six others injured in US and British attacks in the southern city of Taizz, local media cited the Houthi group as saying Sunday.

• The United Arab Emirates began providing medical aid on Sunday to Palestinians wounded in Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, utilizing a floating hospital anchored in Al-Arish Port in northeastern Egypt

• Opposition supporters in Senegal took part in symbolic voting Sunday to demonstrate their objection to the postponement of the presidential election, which was initially scheduled for Feb. 25.

• NATO's Dynamic Manta maritime exercise will be starting Monday off southern Italy, the Allied Maritime Command announced.

• Qatar on Sunday announced that it had managed to mediate the release of an Austrian national detained in Afghanistan, the Qatari News Agency reported.

• Tel Aviv is expected on Monday to submit its report on the measures it has taken at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

• At least 15 people were killed Sunday in a suspected terrorist attack on a Catholic church in northern Burkina Faso, a prelate said.

SPORTS

• Liverpool beat Chelsea in extra time to win English League Cup for 10th time

Liverpool claimed a narrow win over Chelsea thanks to an extra-time goal by Virgil van Dijk to lift their record-extending 10th English League Cup title.

Van Dijk scored the winning goal with a header in the 118th minute as the Dutch defender powered it in from a corner courtesy of Konstantinos Tsimikas.

• Biberovic scores to deliver Türkiye victory over Iceland

Tarik Biberovic's buzzer-beater clinched Türkiye's thrilling 76-75 victory over Iceland in Group B of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday.

With the score at 75-74 in Iceland's favor, Biberovic bagged a three-pointer at the buzzer to help the Turkish team get their first win in the group at the Sinan Erdem Arena.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• ECOWAS lifts sanctions on Guinea

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided to lift sanctions on Guinea on Sunday.

According to the closing statement of ECOWAS’s leaders' summit, the economic sanctions imposed on Guinea after its military coup in September 2021 and the restrictions on Malian citizens working at ECOWAS institutions have been lifted.

• Libyan guards shut oil fields over pay dispute

Libyan forces guarding oil facilities in the country announced on Sunday the closure of oil fields in a dispute over pay.

"We will unfortunately close all oil facilities," the Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG) said in a video statement aired by broadcaster Libya al-Ahrar. The PFG demands a pay raise for its members.​​​​​​​