Morning Briefing: Jan. 31, 2025

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday with, including US President Donald Trump insisting that Egypt and Jordan will take in Palestinians from Gaza, Syria’s interim president outlining a roadmap for a "unified Syria," and the Al-Qassam Brigades confirming the death of their general commander.

TOP STORIES

• Trump insists that Egypt, Jordan will take in Palestinians from Gaza

US President Donald Trump doubled down on his controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan, insisting that the two countries will comply, despite their repeated rejections.

“They will do it. They will do it. They’re going to do it, okay? We do a lot for them, and they’re going to do it,” Trump told reporters when asked if he would consider measures to pressure Cairo and Amman to accept his plan.

Trump called over the weekend to “clean out” Gaza and resettle Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, describing the enclave as a “demolition site” after Israel’s genocidal war.

The two countries vehemently rejected any call for the displacement or relocation of Palestinians from their land, however.

• Ahmed al-Sharaa outlines roadmap for ‘unified Syria’ in 1st presidential address

In his first televised speech after being appointed Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa outlined a roadmap for the country’s future following the fall of the Assad regime.

His plans include the formation of two committees – one to select a smaller parliament and another to prepare for a national dialogue conference, along with the creation of a comprehensive transitional government.

Al-Sharaa said his administration would focus on forming “a comprehensive transitional government that represents Syria’s diversity, including men, women and youth, to rebuild the country’s institutions until free and fair elections can take place.”

After necessary steps are completed, "we will announce the constitutional declaration, which will serve as the legal reference for the transitional phase,” Al-Sharaa added.

• Al-Qassam Brigades confirms death of its General Commander Mohammed Deif

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian group Hamas, confirmed that its military commander, Mohammed Deif, has been killed.

The group’s spokesperson, Abu Ubaida, said in a televised statement that six other members of the Al-Qassam Brigades' military council were killed alongside Deif.

Among the dead are his deputy, Marwan Issa, and senior commanders Ghazi Abu Tamaa, Raed Thabit, Rafi Salama, Ahmed Al Ghandour and Ayman Noufal.

Al-Qassam did not disclose details on the circumstances of their deaths but said they "fell in battle against Israeli forces during the Al-Aqsa Flood operation."

NEWS IN BRIEF​​​​​​​

• Türkiye slammed Israel's decision to ban the activities of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling it a “blatant violation of international law.”
• The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) secured the release of five Thai hostages held by the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.
• President Donald Trump said the US "will make a determination" regarding its troops in Syria following a report that said he intends to withdraw American forces.
• US President Donald Trump said that no one survived after a commercial plane carrying 64 people crashed with a military helicopter outside of the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.
• Sixty-six Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli custody arrived in central Ramallah as part of the third batch of a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel that was included in a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
• The Palestinian resistance group Hamas set free three more Israeli captives in Gaza under a ceasefire agreement with Israel.
• Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus and reaffirmed Doha’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people in their pursuit of unity, justice and freedom.
• The Democratic Republic of Congo vowed to reclaim the strategic city of Goma as M23 rebels said the group, which is allegedly backed by Rwanda, was open to talks with Kinshasa.
• Ukraine said that at least nine people were killed in an overnight Russian drone attack targeting a residential building in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy.
• France ended its military presence in Chad, vacating its last base in the Central African nation a day ahead of a deadline set by Chadian authorities.
• Norway’s Center Party has withdrawn from the country’s ruling coalition due to disagreements with the Labor Party over electricity policy, local media reported

SPORTS

• UEFA Europa League group stage ends

With the group stage in the new format of the organization coming to an end, Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, Tottenham, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lyon, Olympiakos and Rangers finished as the top eight teams, respectively. These teams qualified for the final 16 round.

Bodo/Glimt, Anderlecht, FCSB, Ajax, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Roma, Plzen, Ferencvaros, Porto, AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Union Saint-Gilloise, PAOK, Twente and Fenerbahce finished among the top 24 teams, qualifying for playoffs for the final 16 round.

Fenerbahce secured a place in the UEFA Europa League playoffs despite a 2-2 draw with Denmark's Midtjylland in the final match of the group stage.

Dutch side Ajax secured a 2-1 win against Galatasaray in a thrilling Europe League fixture at Johan Cruyff Arena.

Turkish side Besiktas’ European campaign came to an end after a 1-0 away defeat against Dutch club Twente in the eighth matchday of the UEFA Europa League.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Trump says he will soon put 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico

US President Donald Trump announced that he will soon impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

"I'll be putting the tariff of 25% on Canada, and separately 25% on Mexico, and we will really have to do that, because we have very big deficits with those countries," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Those tariffs may or may not rise with time. Oil is going to have nothing to do with it. As far as I'm concerned, oil has nothing to do with it," he added.

• European Commission allocates more than $1B for defense projects

The European Commission said that it allocated more than €1 billion (more than $1.04 billion) for defense research and development projects.

It said that a budget of around or more than €100 million addresses future challenges in the fields of ground combat, space and air combat as well as energy resilience and environmental transition.

"Furthermore, more than €40 million of EU funding is allocated to R&D efforts in critical areas in the current and future operational context, such as cyber, naval combat, underwater warfare, simulation and training, advanced passive and active sensors," the statement added.