Morning Briefing: Oct. 12, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday with, including a humanitarian disaster looming in Gaza, US talks with Egypt and Israel for a safe corridor for Gaza civilians, and a rare phone call between the Iranian and Saudi leaders.

TOP STORIES

• Humanitarian disaster looms in Gaza as city runs out of medical supplies, fuel

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza warned Wednesday of a disruption in healthcare services across the Gaza Strip as hospitals don’t have enough beds to accommodate the wounded from Israel’s bombardments.

"Hospitals have run out of bed capacity. The injured and ill people are on the floor as the Israeli aggression intensifies," the ministry said in a statement.

It said the continued Israeli cutting of electricity, water and fuel "poses a danger to the lives of the injured and ill and will lead to a disastrous health and environmental catastrophe."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that "crucial life-saving supplies," including food, fuel and water, 'must be allowed' to enter Gaza Strip

The number of displaced people in Gaza has exceeded 338,000, according to the UN.

• US 'actively working' to establish safe corridor for Gaza civilians: White House

The US is in active talks with Israel and Egypt to establish a "safe passage" for civilians in Gaza to flee the ongoing Israeli airstrikes, the White House said Wednesday amid an expected ground offensive in the besieged enclave.

"We're actively discussing this with our Israeli and our Egyptian counterparts. We support a safe passage for civilians,” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

He indicated the Biden administration is working with Cairo and Israel to facilitate aid delivery.

• Iranian, Saudi leaders discuss Palestine over first phone call since resumption of ties

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the situation in Palestine in a phone call on Wednesday.

In their first-ever phone conversation following the resumption of ties between Tehran and Riyadh after a seven-year hiatus, Raisi and Salman spoke for 45 minutes on the latest developments in the Palestine-Israeli conflict and highlighted the need to stop war crimes from being committed by Israel against Palestinians.

During the call, criticism was directed towards the support provided by the US to Israel.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz announced Wednesday the formation of an emergency unity government, where a war management cabinet will be established.

• Turkish president, Saudi crown prince discuss Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls bombing of civilian settlements unacceptable.

• A second US aircraft carrier is heading to the Mediterranean for a "long-scheduled deployment," the White House said Wednesday.

• At least 11 UN staff and personnel and 30 students at UN schools have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli airstrikes.

• Police in Germany’s capital banned rallies planned for Wednesday in support of Palestine, fearing the use of anti-Semitic slogans, glorification of violence and actual violence.

• Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Wednesday that Belgium will send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine beginning in 2025, at a meeting ahead of a reunion of NATO defense ministers.

• US House Republicans nominated Rep. Steve Scalise for House Speaker on Wednesday, following the ouster of Kevin McCarthy.

• Mali’s military government said Wednesday that flights by French national carrier Air France to the West African country will remain suspended until a review of a previous authorization is completed.

• The first asteroid sample collected from outer space was revealed Wednesday by NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

SPORTS

• Juventus midfielder Fagioli investigated for alleged illegal betting

Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is being investigated for alleged illegal betting activities, Italian legal sources said Wednesday.

Fagioli, 22, is involved in a criminal probe against users of illegal online betting platforms and other suspects.

In Italy, a football player who is found to have bet on football matches can be banned for at least three years.

• Rooney joins Birmingham City as manager

English football club Birmingham City on Wednesday appointed Wayne Rooney as their new head coach.

The former Manchester United legend, 37, agreed on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Rooney, who left DC United on Sunday after they missed out on the MLS Cup play-offs, succeeds Blues head coach John Eustace, who was sacked on Monday. ​​​​​​​

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Gaza Strip’s sole power plant out of service due to lack of fuel

The Gaza Strip’s sole power plant went out of service on Wednesday due to a lack of fuel.

A source with the Palestinian Energy Authority told Anadolu that the power plant ran out of fuel leading to a complete electricity outage in the strip.

• Microsoft faces $28.9B tax demand from IRS

Microsoft announced Wednesday that it has received a notification from the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an additional tax payment of $28.9 billion.

The statement indicated that the notification is related to an ongoing dispute with the IRS concerning how the company distributed its profits among different countries and regions.​​​​​​​