Morning Briefing: Oct. 13, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Friday, including Israel’s evacuation order for people in northern Gaza, displacement of hundreds of thousands in Gaza, and an emergency unity government approved by the Israeli parliament.

TOP STORIES

• Israel orders 1.1M to evacuate northern Gaza amid major ground operation

Israel ordered 1.1 million people to leave northern Gaza Strip amid media reports of a major ground operation.

The Israeli army has informed the UN of the necessity of evacuating the northern Gaza Strip within 24 hours, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Around 1.1 million people live in the northern Gaza Strip, he noted, adding: “the United Nations strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded, avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation.”

Israel has evacuated 60% of the population of the Sderot settlement near the Gaza Strip, according to reports, the area which was the scene of clashes between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli forces.

• More than 420,000 displaced in Gaza as authorities demand safe corridors

The Palestinian Health Ministry on Thursday called for urgent intervention to save thousands of wounded people in the blockaded Gaza Strip.

A ministry official demanded opening safe corridors for transferring the injured out of the Gaza Strip, and sending in medical supplies and teams to the city.

The health system in Gaza is “at a breaking point,” the World Health Organization warned.

The conflict has led to displacement of more than 423,000 Palestinians in Gaza as two thirds of displaced take shelter in the schools of the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees.

• Israeli parliament approves emergency unity government

The Israeli parliament on Thursday approved an emergency unity government led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking during a special session of the 120-seat Knesset, Netanyahu vowed to “shatter Hamas into pieces.”

"The unity of the people is a force multiplier, and the emergency government we are establishing today out of national responsibility, conveys a message of immense strength, both externally and internally,” he said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel to Israel on Friday, a senior defense official said. He is expected to meet Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials.

• Israeli Information Minister Galit Distel-Atbaryan announced late Thursday her intend to quit, marking the first resignation from the lineup of Netanyahu’s government since the latest escalation in Gaza.

• Britain will send patrol, surveillance aircraft and two Royal Navy ships to Eastern Mediterranean “to support Israel,” the prime minister’s office said on Thursday.

• Twenty-five Americans were killed in the Hamas attack, confirmed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday during his visit to Israel, aimed at showing Washington’s support for Tel Aviv in the ongoing conflict.

• Israel’s use of white phosphorus in its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon “puts civilians at risk of serious and long-term injuries,” Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.

• Türkiye early Friday warned Turkish citizens living in Lebanon to be cautious and to stay away from areas close to the Israeli border.

• France on Thursday banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the country, as conflict between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas continues.

• Canada joined a growing list of countries evacuating their citizens out of Israel, airlifting 130 by military aircraft Thursday from Tel Aviv.

• EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell arrived on Thursday in Shanghai for high-level talks with Chinese officials, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue with Beijing.

SPORTS

• Real Madrid dominate Anadolu Efes in EuroLeague

Defending Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions Real Madrid beat Anadolu Efes 103-80 in a Thursday Round 2 game in Istanbul.

Visitors Real Madrid led the first quarter 26-24 at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall.

Real Madrid are leading the EuroLeague table as they improved to 2-0 after defeating Anadolu Efes.

• Türkiye stun Croatia in top EURO 2024 qualifying group

Visitors Türkiye defeated Croatia 1-0 in the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifiers to top Group D on Thursday.

At Osijek’s Opus Arena, Turkish forward Baris Alper Yilmaz scored the winning goal in the 30th minute.

Leaders Türkiye have 13 points in six matches.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Annual US consumer inflation rises 3.7%, higher than estimates

Annual consumer inflation in the US came in at 3.7% in September, coming slightly higher than market estimates, according to official figures released on Thursday.

The market expectation for the figure was to show a 3.6% increase year-on-year.

• New naval warfare system to improve Turkish Navy

The Naval Warfare Effectiveness Analysis Model (GEMED) project will increase the Turkish Navy’s combat readiness level, allowing the analysis of battle scenarios through batch runs in a virtual environment before actual field application.

According to developer firm STM’s press release issued on Thursday, the acceptance tests for GEMED have been completed.