Morning Briefing: Jan. 15, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday, including Gaza war entering its 100th day, fresh US airstrikes on Houthis in Yemen, Türkiye’s airstrikes against terrorists in Iraq and northern Syria, and the US president’s frustration with the Israeli prime minister over Gaza war.

TOP STORIES

• 100,000 Palestinians killed, wounded, missing by Israel in 100 days, says NGO

At least 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, wounded or reported missing in the past 100 days of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said on Sunday.

The statement pointed out that the number of Palestinians in Gaza killed by Israel as of Saturday reached 31,497.

According to the organization, 28,951 (92%) killed were civilians, including 12,345 children, 6,471 women, 295 health personnel, 41 civil defense personnel, and 113 journalists,” the group lamented. Meanwhile, 61,079 individuals have been injured, it noted.

• Houthi rebels report new US airstrikes in Yemen amid Red Sea tensions

Yemen’s Houthi rebels reported new US-British airstrikes in the western province of Hodeidah on Sunday.

The Houthi-run Saba news agency said the strikes targeted Mount Jida’ in the province. The pro-Houthi Al-Masirah television also said that US reconnaissance planes were seen flying in Hodeidah.

No details were yet available about casualties. There was no comment yet from the US authorities on the report. On Saturday, the US renewed airstrikes in Sanaa.

• Türkiye destroys 24 terror targets, including senior terrorists, in northern Syria, Iraq

Turkish airstrikes in northern Iraq and Syria destroyed 24 PKK terror targets on Sunday, including high-ranking terrorists, according to Türkiye's National Defense Ministry.

Air operations were conducted against targets in the Metina, Hakurk, Gara, Qandil, and Asos regions of Iraq, along with parts of northern Syria, in line with Türkiye's right to self-defense arising from Article 51 of the UN Charter, the ministry said in a statement.

Targets included caves, hideouts, depots storing ammunition and other materials, shelters, and even a natural gas production facility.

• Biden losing patience with Israel's Netanyahu over Gaza: Report

US President Joe Biden is losing patience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the conflict in Gaza, according to a report on Sunday.

The Axios news website reported that Biden and senior American officials are getting frustrated with Netanyahu and his refusal to comply with the administration's requests concerning the conflict in Gaza.

The report also noted that Biden has not engaged in conversation with the Israeli prime minister for the past 20 days. The last phone call between the two men, which occurred on Dec. 23, was described as "tense."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus marked the 100th day of Israel's attacks on Gaza, describing it as a "tragedy" and reiterating his call for a cease-fire.

• The Democratic Republic of Congo’s ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party of President Felix Tshisekedi won the majority of seats in December parliamentary elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced Sunday

• Madagascar introduced the new members of its government at an official ceremony Sunday evening, 10 days after the country’s prime minister was reappointed.

• Search efforts for a boat that went missing off the coast of Italy's Lampedusa island with 40 migrants on board continued on Sunday without success, according to local media.

• The Maldives has asked India to withdraw its troops from the island nation by March 15, a senior official said on Sunday

• Taiwan on Sunday called on China to “face reality” after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) William Lai Ching-te won the presidential elections on Saturday.

• King Frederik X became Denmark's new regent on Sunday as his mother Queen Margrethe signed a declaration of her abdication, as thousands of Danes flooded the streets to witness the unprecedented event.

• Tens of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied in Karachi, Pakistan to demand an end to Israel's hostilities in the battered Gaza Strip, which reached on Sunday a grim 100-day mark.

• Pope Francis said Sunday that retirement remains an option open to all popes, but he is not contemplating it at present.

• The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) announced Sunday that it has assembled a delegation which will enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt as Israel continues its military onslaught on the enclave.

SPORTS

• Israeli player excluded from Turkish football club squad over gesture flouting 'national values'

Israeli player Sagiv Jehezkel has been excluded from the squad of Antalyaspor over a gesture that went against "national values," the Turkish football club announced Sunday.

"Sagiv Jehezkel, following his goal in the 68th minute during the match against Trabzonspor, has been deemed to have acted against our country's national values by sharing an inscription on his wrist…” Antalyaspor said in a statement.

Jehezkel shared a message of solidarity with Israel by raising his bandaged hand after scoring a goal against Trabzonspor.

• Real Madrid beat Barcelona to win Spanish Super Cup

Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-1 to win the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday.

Vinicius Junior scored twice in the seventh and 10th minutes and his third goal came from a penalty kick in the 38th minute at Riyadh's Al -Awwal Stadium.

Robert Lewandowski made a classy-long range finish for Barca in the 33rd minute.

In the 64th minute, Rodrygo made the score 4-1 with a goal from close range.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Israeli finance minister proposes tax hike on bank profits amid Gaza war

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed on Sunday a plan to increase taxes on bank profits from its current rate of 17% to 26% in 2024 and 2025 amid the ongoing Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

"We decided that according to the instructions of the VAT Law 1975, in tax years 2024 and 2025, a salary tax at a rate of 17% and profit tax at a rate of 26% will be imposed," Smotrich said in statements cited by Israeli business daily Globes.

• Türkiye seeks active role in Libya's offshore energy exploration

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed Türkiye's intention to expand its economic presence in Libya's offshore hydrocarbon activities under the scope of the maritime jurisdiction agreement signed between the two countries in 2019.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu on the sidelines of the Libya Energy and Economic Summit 2024 in the capital Tripoli, organized by the Energy Capital and Power (ECP), Bayraktar said his visit aims to strengthen ties between Türkiye’s private and state companies in Libya in the fields of oil and natural gas, as well as mines and electricity.​​​​​​​