Morning Briefing: March 12, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA)- Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including the death of infants in Gaza due to starvation and malnutrition, Belgium's decision to intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at world court, and UN chief remarks about Israel’s continuous bombardment and strikes in Ramadan.

TOP STORIES

• Hunger kills 2 more infants in besieged Gaza as death toll rises to 27

Two more babies died of malnutrition in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday amid an Israeli blockade on the Palestinian enclave, according to medics.

The two infants lost their lives at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia city, Samer Labad, a paediatrician told Anadolu.

“They died as the Israeli occupation refused to allow food and medical supplies into northern Gaza,” he said.

The Palestinian doctor warned that more children are at risk of death from malnutrition as a result of Israel’s ongoing blockade on the enclave.

• Belgium to intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at world court

Belgium announced Monday that it will intervene in the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

According to sources from Belgium's Foreign Ministry, the country decided to submit to the court its interpretation of Article 2 of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, which defines the crime of genocide.

Noting that the ICJ had sent a letter to the states party to the 1948 convention, including Belgium, Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said that Belgium wishes to participate and share its interpretation of Article 2 of the convention.

• Killing, bombing, bloodshed continue in Gaza' despite Ramadan: UN chief

As Muslims began the holy month of Ramadan, the UN chief on Monday reiterated his call for a cease-fire in Gaza and urged actions to avoid further "preventable" deaths.

"Yet even though Ramadan has begun – the killing, bombing and bloodshed continue in Gaza," Antonito Guterres said at a press encounter.

"My strongest appeal today is to honor the spirit of Ramadan by silencing the guns – and removing all obstacles to ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid at the speed and massive scale required," said Guterres.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Palestinian Health Ministry said Monday that 2,000 medical staff working at hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip had no meals to break their fasting with while on duty on the first day of Ramadan.

• CIA Director William Burns said Monday that a cease-fire is needed to provide starving children in Gaza with the necessary humanitarian assistance amid Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Palestinian enclave.

• Morocco on Monday joined international efforts to deliver humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip while conducting its first airdrops into the Palestinian enclave, local media reported

• US President Joe Biden said Monday that he has no plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• The ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip due to Israel’s devastating military assault should not be forgotten, Turkish minister fot Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas told the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York.

• Thousands of Palestinian worshippers performed tarawih prayers Monday at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, despite Israeli restrictions on access to Islam’s third holiest site.

• Iceland has decided to conduct an independent investigation into the conduct of the voting in the country’s finals for this year’s Eurovision song contest, local media reported Monday.

• Weeks ahead of the country's general elections, India on Monday announced the implementation of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, granting citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsi or Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, but excludes Muslims.

• China’s national legislature concluded its week-long session in Beijing on Monday by revising a law on the country’s cabinet, the State Council, for the first time in more than 40 years, giving the Communist Party more control over it.

SPORTS

• Chelsea upset Newcastle United in 5-goal thriller

Chelsea defeated Newcastle United 3-2 in week 28 of the English Premier League on Monday.

Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson made a close-range finish in the sixth minute, with Newcastle United leveling the match with Alexander Isak.

The Blues took the lead again when Cole Palmer made a close-long range finish in the 57th minute.

Mykhailo Mudryk scored against Newcastle. In stoppage time, Jacob Murphy netted a classy goal.

• Barcelona aim to beat Napoli at home to reach Champions League quarterfinals

Spanish La Liga powerhouse Barcelona will have to beat Italian Serie A side Napoli at home in the Round of 16 second-leg match on Tuesday to reach the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

Barca missed the chance to win in the first leg of the Round of 16 at Italy as the match drew 1-1.

Barcelona have been suffering from injuries in their squad.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Lufthansa's cabin crew strike to cancel 1,000 flights on Tuesday, Wednesday

German airline Lufthansa has reported that 1,000 scheduled flights are expected to be canceled on Tuesday and Wednesday due to cabin crew strike demanding a 15% wage increase.

Approximately 600 flights are expected to be canceled at Frankfurt airport on Tuesday and another 400 flights at Munich airport on Wednesday, affecting an estimated 120,000 passengers.

• Greek farmers express disappointment after meeting with premier,

Greek farmers were disappointed with their meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens on Monday, saying the government has not made any commitment to subsidies or compensation for crops destroyed during floods last summer, local media reported.

President of the United Federation of Agricultural Associations of Larissa, Rizos Marouda noted that direct state subsidies to the sector will not be paid until the end of June as per their information.