Morning Briefing: March 28, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday with, including Israel killing several Palestinians in Gaza, Türkiye calling on European countries to crack down on PKK terrorist supporters and a rise in the Gaza death toll.

TOP STORIES

• Several killed as Israel targets aid workers in Gaza City

Several Palestinians were killed and wounded in Israeli airstrikes Wednesday targeting aid workers in the Zeytoun neighborhood of Gaza City.

Israeli aircraft targeted committees on Salah al-Din Street responsible for securing the delivery of aid, eyewitnesses told Anadolu.

Witnesses reported casualties as a result of the Israeli bombardment. Tel Aviv has repeatedly targeted aid convoys in Gaza.

More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed and some 75,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities since Oct. 7.

• Türkiye calls on European countries to crack down after attacks by terrorist PKK supporters

Amid a spate of attacks in Europe by supporters of the terrorist group PKK, Türkiye on Wednesday called on European countries to crack down swiftly, saying it expects the countries in question to bring the attackers to justice.

PKK supporters attacked the Turkish Consulate General in Hannover, Germany late Tuesday.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: "Following the attack, German officials were contacted and reminded that they are responsible for the security of our citizens and diplomatic missions and that provocations against the Turkish community in Europe should not be tolerated.”

• Gaza death toll from Israeli attacks nears 32,500

The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip has reached 32,490 since last October, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Wednesday.

At least 74,889 Palestinians have been injured in the onslaught, the ministry added in a statement.

“Israeli attacks killed 76 people and injured 102 others in the last 24 hours,” the ministry said.

“Many victims are still trapped under rubble and on the roads and rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Pressure needs to be ramped up on Israel for it to comply with a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday

• Hamas called on international institutions including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN on Wednesday to urgently act to stop the systematic killing of the Palestinian people.

• Türkiye continues to strike the PKK and its terrorism now rages in countries that tolerated its activities for years, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Wednesday.

• People are free to have opinions and thoughts, but expressions of support for terrorist organizations such as the PKK are not to be tolerated, Belgian Premier Alexander De Croo said Wednesday.

• Gaza will be included in future activity reports of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) through Türkiye's initiative.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled as "nonsense" and "crap" the idea that Russia intends to attack Europe and NATO after Ukraine.

• The US destroyed unmanned aerial systems launched by Yemen’s Houthi group, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday.

• The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry said Wednesday that it carried out the largest humanitarian airdrop operation in the northern Gaza Strip, totaling 90 tons.

• Three people were injured Wednesday in an incident caused by supporters of the PKK terrorist organization at France’s Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

SPORTS

• Istanbul to host 2027 European Games

The European Olympic Committees (EOC) Executive Committee (ExCom) announced Wednesday that Istanbul city will host the 2027 European Games.

The EOC said in a statement that it unanimously awarded the fourth edition of the competition to the Turkish metropolis.

"The EOC is delighted to have approved Istanbul's candidature to host the European Games 2027," EOC President Spyros Capralos said in a statement.

• Halkbank beat Arkas Spor to win Turkish Men's Volleyball Cup

Halkbank secured a 3-1 win over Arkas Spor to win their ninth Turkish Men's Volleyball Cup, or Kupa Voley, on Wednesday.

The Ankara side won the game with sets of 23-25, 25-23, 28-26 and 25-23 at the TVF Cengiz Gollu Volleyball Hall in northwestern Bursa province.

Halkbank also won the championship in 1992, 1993, 1996, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2023.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Record growth in renewables in 2023, but progress needs to be equitable: IRENA

Last year saw a new record in renewables deployment in the power sector, with a total capacity of 3,870 gigawatts (GW) globally, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on Wednesday.

The report, Renewable Capacity Statistics 2024, reveals that renewables accounted for 86% of capacity additions. The global distribution of this growth, however, indicates a trend that is far from the 2030 target of tripling the amount of renewable power generated.

• Uganda launches first-ever interest-free Islamic banking

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday officially launched national operations of the country's first interest-free commercial Islamic bank, allowing it to operate following Islamic principles.

President Museveni said at the launch ceremony for the Salaam Bank in the capital Kampala that Islamic banking has the potential to significantly contribute to the development of Uganda's financial sector and attract more Muslims to invest in the country's economy.​​​​​​​