Morning Briefing: Nov. 2, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza being struck again, UN saying the attacks could amount to war crimes, departure of foreigners through Egypt’s Rafah border crossing, and recalling of Jordan’s ambassador from Israel.

TOP STORIES

• Scores killed as Israeli jets launch fresh airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp

Scores of Palestinians were killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Israeli fighter jets struck a residential square in camp’s residential area of Falluja, and several children and women were said to be among the victims.

The attack came in less than 24 hours when a series of Israeli airstrikes on the camp led to hundreds of casualties.

• Israeli attack on Gaza refugee camp 'could amount to war crimes': UN

The UN human rights office expressed "serious concerns" over Israeli airstrikes on the Jabalia refugee camp, saying "disproportionate attacks could amount to war crimes."

"Given the high number of civilian casualties and the scale of destruction following Israeli airstrikes on Jabalia refugee camp, we have serious concerns that these are disproportionate attacks that could amount to war crimes," the office said on X.

• Over 300 foreign passport holders leave Gaza via Rafah crossing

A Palestinian official said 335 foreign passport holders left the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing into Egypt.

“Some 335 foreign passport holders left the strip,” Wael Abu Mohsen, the media director of the Rafah border crossing, said in a statement.

He said 76 injured Palestinians were transported by ambulances from Gaza to Egypt via the terminal.

The Palestinian spokesman said 51 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid also moved into Gaza through the border point on Wednesday.

• Jordan recalls ambassador from Israel in protest of Gaza attacks

Jordan recalled its ambassador from Israel in protest of the ongoing Israeli attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip.

Foreign Minister Arman Safadi also notified the Israeli Foreign Ministry that it will not let the Israeli ambassador return to Amman. The envoy had left the kingdom at the start of the Gaza conflict due to security precautions.

“This war kills innocent people, causes an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, and risks an expansion," Safadi said, adding that the security of the entire region was at stake.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Ankara on Nov. 5, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

• Two Israeli tanks and four Israeli military vehicles were destroyed with anti-armor shells in the town of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, Hamas said.

• The commissioner-general of the UNRWA said the situation in Gaza is "unprecedented" as he made his first visit to the Palestinian enclave since the start of the latest conflict.

• Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of UK government offices in Downing Street, urging US Vice President Kamala Harris to call for a cease-fire in Gaza as she visited Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

• Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the international community must take a “decisive stance” and sincerely pursue an immediate cease-fire and enforce a humanitarian truce in Gaza.

• Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen criticized the “unbalanced focus” of Red Cross, saying it must act with “a clear voice” amid the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip.

• Israeli attacks on Gaza have completely destroyed 52 mosques and caused varying degrees of damage to 110 other mosques, the government media office in the besieged enclave said.

• Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group has begun recruiting fighters again months after the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. It is being led by 25-year-old Pavel, the son of Prigozhin.

• Pakistan launches crackdown on undocumented foreigners, mainly Afghans, across the country, deporting thousands to neighboring Afghanistan as the deadline for them to leave the country ended the previous day.

• Turkish Airlines said its operations returned to normal after technical issues with its ticket reservation and booking systems led to the cancellation of all flights departing from Istanbul.

SPORTS

• English football body bans Pro-Palestine 'river to the sea' phrase on social media

Footballers in England may face legal action for using the Pro-Palestine phrase, "River to the sea," on social media, according to the country's football body (FA).

An FA spokesperson said they were writing to clubs to "make it clear that this phrase is considered offensive to many, and should not be used by players in social media posts."

• Italian Serie A club Juventus celebrate 126th anniversary

Juventus, the record-breaking club of the Italian Serie A, celebrated their 126th anniversary.

Juventus was founded by students of the Massimo d'Azeglio High School in Turin for sports activities on Nov. 1, 1897, and became a football club two years later.

The club is named after the Latin word "juven-tus," which means "youth."

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US Fed skips rate hike, keeps interest rate unchanged

The US Federal Reserve skipped an interest rate hike, as widely expected, and kept its federal funds rate unchanged between the 5.25% - 5.5% target range.

"Recent indicators suggest that economic activity expanded at a strong pace in the third quarter," it said in a statement.

The Federal Open Market Committee, however, noted that inflation remains elevated.

• Türkiye's 5-year credit default swaps fall below 400 basis points

Türkiye's five-year credit default swaps (CDS) fell below 400 basis points despite the ongoing geopolitical risks, as measures taken by the country’s new economy administration to ensure price stability are being gradually implemented.

While the Türkiye's fight against inflation continued strongly, its CDS – a form of insurance for bondholders – fell below 400 basis points for the first time since Oct. 13 and stabilized at 398.5 basis points.