Morning Briefing: November 28, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday, including the release of more Palestinian prisoners by Israel, hostages by Hamas; an extension to the humanitarian pause in Gaza; and the continuing to UN urging a full humanitarian cease-fire.

TOP STORIES

• Israel releases 33 Palestinian prisoners, 4th batch of hostages released by Hamas

Israel released 33 Palestinian prisoners late Monday, including 30 children and three women, as part of a swap deal with Hamas.

Among those released are nine from Jerusalem, with the youngest being 16-year-old Nofuz Hammad, said an Anadolu correspondent.

Earlier, the Israeli army announced the arrival of 11 hostages held by Gaza-based Palestinian group Hamas.

The released detainees included nine children and two women, said local media. It also reported that Hamas released six detainees from Thailand.

• Humanitarian pause in Gaza extended for 2 more days, says Qatar

Qatar on Monday announced the extension of a temporary humanitarian pause in Gaza between Israel and Hamas for two additional days.

On X, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said Qatar "announces, as part of the ongoing mediation, an agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian truce for an additional two days in the Gaza Strip."

Hamas later also confirmed the extension.

• UN chief urges continued dialogue to turn 'pause' into 'full humanitarian' cease-fire

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that the dialogue that led to the current humanitarian pause in Gaza should be continued and transformed into a "full humanitarian" cease-fire.

In a statement by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, Guterres said the pause allowed the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including its northern section, which has been largely cut off for weeks.

He said the aid "barely registers against the huge needs of 1.7 million displaced people," warning that the "humanitarian catastrophe" is deepening by the day.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israel has approved 50 Palestinian women prisoners listed for release if Hamas frees more Israeli hostages, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Tuesday.

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday discussed Israel's attacks on Gaza and exchanged views on ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the enclave, as well as efforts for a permanent cease-fire, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said.

• British health officials on Monday confirmed the first human case in the UK of a flu strain similar to viruses seen in pigs, Influenza A (H1N2). The patient has fully recovered.

• EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Monday said he was "appalled" by reports that the Israeli government would earmark more funds to build new illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories in the midst of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

• US President Joe Biden was "horrified" to learn that three Palestinian students were shot in Vermont over the weekend, the White House said Monday.

• A group of UN experts called for full and independent investigations into crimes committed in Israel and Palestine in a joint statement on Monday, urging Israeli and Palestinian authorities to fully cooperate.

• Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's government was sworn in on Monday at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw. Morawiecki has two weeks before his government faces a vote of confidence in the lower house of parliament.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate phone calls on Monday with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss efforts for a peace agreement between the two countries.

• The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has exceeded 15,000, in addition to thousands others still missing under the rubble, according to authorities in the enclave.

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced Monday that it was halting an investigation into violence that broke out after Kenya's 2007 presidential elections, leading to charges against six suspects accused of crimes against humanity.

SPORTS

• Galatasaray set for Man Utd clash

Galatasaray hope for victory against Manchester United in a critical match in Istanbul on Wednesday as the top-tier UEFA Champions League returns this week after an international break.

Bayern Munich secured 12 points in four matches, winning Group A, while the German powerhouse led by Harry Kane defeated Galatasaray 2-1 in a previous match on Nov. 8 in Munich.

• Arsenal top English Premier League, Bayer Leverkusen regain lead in Germany

A late winner by Kai Havertz sent Arsenal to the English Premier League's top position, while Bayer Leverkusen reclaimed their leading spot last weekend in the German Bundesliga.

Arsenal won at Brentford 1-0 Saturday as German attacking midfielder Havertz scored the winning goal.

Unbeaten, Leverkusen won against Werder Bremen 3-0.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Israel keeps interest rates unchanged for 4th time

The Central Bank of Israel on Monday left its key interest rate unchanged for the fourth straight meeting despite the conflict in Gaza having "significant economic consequences, both on real economic activity and on the financial markets."

The policy rate remained steady at 4.75% during the bank's November meeting, marking the highest level since 2006.

• World's leading investors commit $38B in new UK projects, says premier

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Monday that leading investors around the world committed £30 billion (nearly $38 billion) of new investments in project funding and capital to boost employment in innovative sectors.

These sectors include technology, life sciences, renewables, housing, and infrastructure, Sunak said at the Global Investment Summit in London.