Morning Briefing: March 3, 2024

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Sunday, including death toll in Israeli war on Gaza Strip, EU condemnation of Israel on humanitarian aid, and Gaza cease-fire negotiations, which will 'resume' in Cairo.

TOP STORIES

• Death toll climbs to 30,320 as 92 more Palestinians killed in Gaza

At least 92 Palestinians were killed and 156 others injured in the last 24 hours as Israel continues its onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip, the territory's Health Ministry said.

“The Israeli occupation committed 10 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, leaving 92 martyrs and 156 injured during the past 24 hours,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Many people are still trapped under rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” the statement said.

• EU condemns Israeli restrictions on entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza

The European Union has condemned restrictions imposed by Israel on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the bloc's foreign policy chief said.

Josep Borrell urged Israel to "fully cooperate" with the UN agencies and other humanitarian actors involved in the humanitarian response and to allow free, unimpeded and safe humanitarian access through all crossing points.

"We condemn the restrictions imposed by Israel on the entry of humanitarian aid and on the opening of crossing points," Borrell said, adding that the EU also urges Israel to remove immediately the obstacles at Kerem Shalom crossing, and open the access in the north at Karni and Erez crossings, to open the port of Ashdod to humanitarian aid and to allow a direct humanitarian corridor from Jordan.

• Gaza cease-fire negotiations set to 'resume' in Cairo on Sunday

Negotiations for a cease-fire and release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip will resume in Cairo on Sunday, Egypt's Al Qahera News reported on Saturday, citing an official source.

The source said intensive efforts are ongoing to reach a deal before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins early March.

There is significant progress in negotiations, and a fair agreement is sought, according to the insider.

On Feb. 24, the news channel reported the resumption of talks at the level of "experts" in Doha, saying meetings in Cairo will follow.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Ukrainian president said that two people were killed and eight injured in Russian drone attacks on the cities of Kharkiv, Odesa and Sumy.

• Russia said that Israel's plans regarding Palestinians in Rafah may turn into an "ethnic cleansing."

• The Yemeni government announced that the British ship Rubymar sank in the Red Sea “due to weather factors and strong winds."

• The Egyptian army said it airdropped a new batch of aid supplies to the Gaza Strip, where Israeli attacks since last October have killed more than 30,000 people and created conditions of a famine.

• Three Israeli soldiers have been killed and 14 injured when explosive devices were detonated inside a building in the Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, the army said.

• Israeli police arrested seven protesters for rioting as demonstrators closed Begin Street in Tel Aviv during a downtown rally to demand the release of hostages held in Gaza.

• The US said it had carried out the first airdrop of humanitarian aid into Gaza, with more than 30,000 meals parachuted from military planes.

• Pope Francis and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday held a meeting in the Vatican, discussing "major challenges" including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, according to Vatican News. It was their first private audience.

SPORTS

• FIFA president rules out plan for blue cards

FIFA President Gianni Infantino ruled out the idea of blue cards in football.

A plan was formed by some of football's lawmakers for a new card to join the red and yellow ones to send players off for 10 minutes for dissent or committing cynical fouls.

Speaking in Scotland, ahead of a meeting of the International Football Association Board at Loch Lomond, Infantino said FIFA is completely opposed to the idea, and assured there would be no blue cards at "elite level." Sin bins are currently used at the lower levels of grassroots football.

The 53-year-old said they are open to new ideas and proposals, but have to protect "the essence and tradition" of the game.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Japanese parliament approves over $750B budget for next year

Japan's parliament approved a 112.57 trillion yen (approximately $750 billion) draft budget for the next fiscal year, which begins in April, local media said.

The budget presented by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling coalition is the country's second-largest ever, trailing only the 114.38 trillion yen requested for fiscal 2023, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

The budget was approved by the lower house, which is led by Kishida's Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.

The budget contains content that is directly related to the recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake and the lives of the people, Kishida said during the committee session.