Morning Briefing: Jan. 3, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday, including the killing of Hamas deputy chief in Lebanon explosion, UN chief urging maximum restraint, a deadly collision between planes at Tokyo airport, and Israel contesting genocide case at International Court of Justice (ICJ).

TOP STORIES

• Hamas deputy chief killed in explosion in Lebanese capital

Hamas deputy chief Saleh Arouri was killed in an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency.

The broadcaster said an Israeli drone struck a Hamas office in Mecherfeh in southern Beirut, killing at least three people.

Arouri is the most senior Hamas leader to have been killed by Israel since the outbreak of the Oct. 7 Gaza conflict.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the explosion, calling it a "new Israeli crime."

• UN chief urges maximum restraint after Hamas chief killing in Lebanon

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged maximum restraint Tuesday from all parties following the assassination of Hamas deputy chief Saleh Arouri in Lebanon.

"The Secretary-General urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and take urgent steps to deescalate tensions in the region," UN spokeswoman Florencia Soto Nino said at a news conference.

She said the UN appeals to all members of the international community to do everything in their power to prevent an escalation of the situation.

"We don't want any rash actions that could trigger further violence," she added.

• 5 dead after Japan Airlines, coast guard planes collide at Tokyo airport

A collision between a Japan Airlines plane and an aircraft of Japan Coast Guard at a Tokyo airport left five crew members dead on Tuesday, police said.

The coast guard plane was carrying aid for people affected by Monday’s earthquakes in the country.

The two planes collided after Japan Airlines aircraft landed at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

The Japan Airlines flight was carrying 379 passengers and crew. All runways at the airport were closed following the incident.

• Israel to contest genocide case at International Court of Justice

Israel decided on Tuesday to appear before The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) to defend itself against the genocide crime case filed by South Africa.

According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN, the decision was taken following intensive discussions between Israeli top officials and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Israel has signed the convention against genocide for decades, and we will certainly not boycott the proceeding, but stand up and repel the absurd blood plot against us," Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, said in a statement late on Monday.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Two anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired Tuesday from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea, according to the US military.

• Lebanon intends to file an urgent complaint with the UN Security Council against Israel in light of attacks, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

• Protests were held in Palestine and Lebanon following the assassination of Hamas deputy leader Saleh Arouri on Tuesday in an Israeli drone strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

• An Israeli official said Tuesday that the government is prepared for a significant retaliatory response from the Lebanese group Hezbollah over the assassination of Hamas leader Salah Arouri in Beirut.

• Iran on Tuesday strongly condemned killing of Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri in an Israeli attack in Lebanon. Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani stated: "Foundation of the Zionist regime is based on terror and crime."

• The US on Tuesday rejected "irresponsible" statements from two Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben on expelling Palestinians from Gaza, State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

• France on Tuesday announced the closure of its embassy in Niger "until further notice" due to "major obstacle." The embassy will continue operating from Paris while consular activities will be carried out by French consulates in the region.

• Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday after criticism about her comments on anti-Israel protests on campus and allegations of plagiarism, saying: "It has been distressing to have doubt cast on my commitments to confronting hate."

• Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday that his group is open to the formation of a national unity government to run the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

SPORTS

• Nadal triumphs with first victory in nearly a year

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal on Tuesday returned to the tennis court with his first win in 349 days.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion beat Austrian Dominic Thiem 7-5 and 6-1 in the Brisbane International Men's Singles Round of 32.

Nadal, 37, suffered from a serious hip injury that resulted in an 11-month absence from the game.

• Birmingham City sack manager Wayne Rooney

Birmingham City sacked their manager Wayne Rooney on Tuesday after 15 matches in charge of the English football club.

"Birmingham City has today parted company with Manager, Wayne Rooney, and First Team Coach, Carl Robinson," the second-tier Championship club said in a statement.

Former England and Manchester United star Rooney, 38, was hired on Oct. 11.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US national debt tops record $34 trillion

The US Treasury announced Tuesday that the federal government's gross national debt has surpassed $34 trillion, a record high.

The national debt jumped by $2.6 trillion in the six months through December.

On Oct. 30, the Senate passed a last-minute spending bill to fund the federal government through Nov. 17, narrowly avoiding a shutdown.

• Shipping giant Maersk halts operations in Red Sea

Danish shipping giant Maersk announced Tuesday that it will pause operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden over a recent series of Houthi attacks.

"An investigation into the incident is ongoing and we will continue to pause all cargo movement through the area while we further assess the constantly evolving situation," it stated.

After an earlier pause in operations, the firm decided to resume them on Dec. 24 after a multinational security initiative deployed its forces against attacks.​​​​​​​