Morning Briefing: January 17, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Wednesday, including a humanitarian deal between Israel and Hamas, more US attacks on Yemeni Houthis, Pakistan condemning Iran’s airstrike on its territory, and the Turkish parliament passing a joint declaration against terrorism.

TOP STORIES

• Qatar announces humanitarian deal between Israel, Hamas

Qatar announced Tuesday that it has successfully mediated an agreement between Israel and Hamas that will enable humanitarian aid to be delivered to civilians in Gaza in exchange for the delivery of medicines to Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian group.

The agreement is a joint effort between Qatar and France, according to Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari.

The humanitarian aid is scheduled to be dispatched Wednesday to the Egyptian city of El Arish using two Qatari Armed Forces planes before reaching the Gaza Strip.

• US launches new strikes against Houthis in Yemen

The US launched new strikes Tuesday against four anti-ship ballistic missiles that were prepared to launch from Houthi-controlled areas.

"On Jan. 16 at approximately 1:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants launched an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

CENTCOM said a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier, the M/V Zografia, reported it was struck but seaworthy and was continuing its Red Sea transit, adding that no injuries were reported.

• Pakistan condemns Iran’s airstrike

Pakistan on Tuesday night condemned an Iranian airstrike inside the territory of the South Asian nation which resulted in the death of two children.

Islamabad “strongly condemns the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran and the strike inside Pakistani territory,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry warned that this “violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.”

The incident took place in the Panjgur area of the country’s southwestern Balochistan province.

• Turkish parliament passes joint declaration against terrorism

The Turkish parliament on Tuesday passed a joint declaration against terrorism, asserting the country's will to fight against all terrorist groups regardless of where they are.

“We declare to the whole world that Türkiye has the strength to fight determinedly against all terrorist groups at home and abroad," said the motion passed by the General Assembly.

The move came in the wake of recent terrorist PKK attacks taking the lives of 21 Turkish soldiers, followed by Türkiye stepping up a crackdown on terror groups in northern Iraq and Syria.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Speaking at a news conference on his Cabinet reshuffle and other issues, France’s President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that a cease-fire in Gaza is “a priority,” over 100 days into the conflict.

• The office of Israel’s prime minister confirmed the delivery of medicines to Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip to start Wednesday, following a deal to allow medicine and aid into the enclave.

• Türkiye's anti-terror operations in the region will continue until the mountainous region of northern Iraq, across Türkiye’s southern border, is fully secure, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.

• Ukraine and Switzerland have started work on holding a “global peace summit,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

• Russia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that 69 Ukrainian drones and 13 HIMARS rockets were shot down over the past day, as Ukrainian troops continued attempts to storm Russian positions.

• In the European Parliament, members passionately called for the European Union to rally behind South Africa's genocide case against Israel.

• Croatia said Tuesday that together with Italy and Slovenia, they are preparing to include Western Balkan countries in their cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration.

• Sweden saw its coldest weather in 58 years after a village in the country's north reported a record-low temperature on Jan. 5 of minus 44.6C (minus 48.2F).

SPORTS

• Mali begin Africa Cup of Nations with victory against South Africa

Mali began the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 2-0 win over South Africa on Tuesday.

After a silent first half, Hamari Traore opened the score for Mali in the 60th minute at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo, Ivory Coast. Lassine Sinayoko made it 2-0 just six minutes later.

• Roma fire head coach Jose Mourinho

Italian football club Roma on Tuesday dismissed famed head coach Jose Mourinho.

"AS Roma can confirm that Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff will leave the club with immediate effect," the club statement said.

Roma appointed Mourinho in May 2021. During his term, Roma won the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League and reached the Europa League final last season.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Putin claims Russia on top in global wheat sales

Russia claims the world crown in wheat sales in global markets, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

Last year, Russia harvested a record crop of 156 million tons of grain, while this year the crop is expected to be more modest, at 143-147 million tons, Putin said at a meeting with heads of regional municipalities in Moscow.

• Türkiye’s 1st manned space journey ready to launch

Türkiye this Wednesday/Thursday, depending on your time zone, is set to start its first crewed space mission as a part of its National Space Program, and the first Turkish space traveler to be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) is Alper Gezeravci, a Turkish Air Force pilot.

Gezeravci is set to be launched from the US state of Florida to the International Space Station this Thursday at 1.11 am local Turkish time (Wednesday GMT2211).