Morning Briefing: March 16, 2024

By Zehra Nur Duz

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including Israel killing at least 80 Palestinians in Gaza, Israel’s approval for a planned military operation in Rafah and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's remarks on more weapons for Ukraine.

TOP STORIES

• At least 80 Palestinians killed in overnight Israeli attacks against Gaza

At least 80 Palestinians were killed in overnight Israeli attacks against Gaza, according to media reports.

The Palestinian news agency, WAFA, said Israel continued to attack various parts of the Gaza Strip, including the Nusairat Refugee Camp and Gaza City.

Many were injured in the attacks targeting civilian homes and buildings.

• Israel approves plans for military operation in Rafah in southern Gaza Strip

Israel approved plans Friday for a military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

"Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu approved plans for a military operation in Rafah, and the army is operationally preparing for it and for the evacuation of residents," Netanyahu's office said in a statement without providing details.

Several countries have warned Israel against carrying out a military operation in Rafah, which houses more than 1.4 million Palestinians, according to international reports.

• Europe will purchase weapons from world market for Ukraine: Germany’s Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Friday that European states will purchase weapons from the world market to support Ukraine’s war against Russia.

Speaking at a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Berlin, Scholz said Europeans are united and determined to continue their support for Ukraine.

“We have agreed today on a few key points, and from now on we will procure more weapons for Ukraine, purchasing them from the world market, that is a good improvement,” Scholz told reporters.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The UN voiced concerns about reports of Israel approving plans for a military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
• Germany warned Israel against a military offensive in Rafah, where more than 1.4 million Palestinian civilians are currently sheltering.
• The UN humanitarian aid chief denounced the targeting of aid seekers by Israeli forces in Gaza.
  
• ​​​​​​​The US said Friday it is "working intensively" with Tel Aviv, Qatar and Egypt to "bridge the remaining gap" to reach a temporary cease-fire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas.
  
• A humanitarian aid ship on Friday arrived at the shores of northern Gaza and started to offload an aid shipment, the first in a planned series of such shipments.
• The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution designed to combat Islamophobia.
• Somali security forces said they ended a siege by the Al-Shabaab terror group at a popular hotel in Mogadishu, state broadcaster reported.
• A ship with desperately needed food supplies reached the Gazan coast, said witnesses, three days after it sailed from the Greek Cypriot administration’s Larnaca port.
• Top Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been released from prison, 10 days ahead of the March 24 presidential election, causing huge celebrations in Dakar, according to local television.
• The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday unanimously extended a mandate for an assistance mission in Afghanistan for one year.
  

SPORTS

• Real Madrid win at Virtus Segafredo Bologna, guarantee EuroLeague playoffs

Real Madrid won 89-74 at Virtus Segafredo Bologna to book their place in the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoffs.

The Spanish basketball powerhouse is the first club to secure a top-six finish with five games to spare in the EuroLeague regular season.

• Fenerbahce to face Olympiacos in UEFA Conference League quarterfinals

Fenerbahce will face Olympiacos in the UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinals, with the Turkish club starting the match on the road.

The semi-final draw took place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. The winner of the Fenerbahce-Olympiacos match will face Aston Villa or Lille in the semifinals.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• EU allocates $545 million to boost ammunition production

With the Russia-Ukraine war now in its third year, the EU announced that it allocated €500 million ($545 million) to boost ammunition production.

The EU Commission said the move, taken under the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), would enable the European defense industry to ramp up its ammunition production capacity to 2 million shells per year by the end of 2025.

• Oil prices down with strong dollar, investor profit-taking

Oil prices declined, pressured by a strong US dollar, following higher-than-expected consumer price inflation data and on fears that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will maintain high rates longer.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at $85.02 per barrel for a 0.47% decrease from the closing price of $85.42 in the previous trading session.