Morning Briefing: Oct. 16, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including displacement of 1 million people in Gaza as Israel continues bombardment, stabbing of a Palestinian-American boy in Chicago in hate crime, US president's remarks on Israel’s operation in Gaza, and pro-Palestinian rallies in several countries.

TOP STORIES

• 1M people displaced in Gaza as Israel continues bombardment

At least 1 million people in Gaza have been forced to flee their homes since Oct. 7 when the conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas flared up, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said, adding that “no place is safe in Gaza.”

The Israeli army continued to bombard parts of the Gaza Strip with airstrikes for a ninth straight day as the besieged Palestinian enclave faced an urgent humanitarian crisis.

At least 2,670 Palestinians have been killed and more than 9,600 others injured in Israeli attacks, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Israel’s death toll so far stands at 1,300.

• Chicago landlord kills boy, wounds mother in attack motivated by Israel-Palestine conflict

A 6-year-old boy was stabbed to death and his mother was injured by their landlord in Chicago, US in an attack motivated by their Islamic faith and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

According to authorities, the boy was stabbed 26 times with a military-style knife.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Palestinian racism being spread by politicians, media, and social media platforms must stop.

The Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking “a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace,” according to the White House.

The attacker, Joseph Czuba, 71, was charged with first-degree murder.

• Biden says Israeli occupation of Gaza would be 'a big mistake'

US President Joe Biden said Israel's occupation of Gaza would be "a big mistake," but appeared OK for an inside operation against the Palestinian group Hamas.

"I think it’d be a big mistake," Biden said in an interview with CBS News' 60 Minutes program.

Arguing that he believes Israel will comply with the rules of war in the Palestinian enclave, Biden said the people of Gaza will have access to food, water and medicine.

• Thousands rally in support of Palestinians

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators came out in the streets in various countries on Sunday.

In the city center of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, thousands showed solidarity with the Palestinians and expressed their concerns over the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

Tens of thousands packed a main thoroughfare in Karachi, Pakistan to denounce Israeli bombardment on Gaza.

Hundreds of people also gathered in the Belgian city of Liege, carrying Palestinian flags and banners with images of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

Protesters marched in Morocco and Iraq against the Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Colombian President Gustavo Petro threatened to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel in response to its decision to halt military sales to his country due to his stance on Israeli military’s attacks on Gaza.
• The Rafah crossing on the border between Gaza and Egypt will reopen 'to get the assistance in,' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Cairo.
• Another powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale jolted northwestern Afghanistan, killing at least one person and injuring dozens of others, local authorities said.
• Daniel Noboa, a young businessman, won presidential elections in Ecuador over socialist candidate Luisa Gonzalez, according to official results.
• The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said there are 50,000 pregnant women in the Gaza Strip who cannot obtain basic health services.
• Germany's interior minister vows to use 'all legal options' to expel Hamas supporters as Berlin says it is 'firmly' on Israel's side.
• US President Joe Biden appointed David Satterfield as US special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues to lead diplomatic efforts in 'addressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, promoting safety of civilians.'

SPORTS

• Alexey Lutsenko wins 2023 Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye

Alexey Lutsenko of Astana Qazaqstan Team won the 58th Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye.

Lutsenko, 31, claimed the title in a time of 30 hours, six minutes, and 58 seconds.

Zwiehoff of Bora-Hansgrohe trailed 26 seconds behind Lutsenko.

• Türkiye beat Latvia 4-0 to qualify for UEFA EURO 2024

Türkiye beat Latvia 4-0 to qualify for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship.

Yunus Akgun drew first blood in the 58th minute, and Cenk Tosun made it 2-0 in the 84th minute.

Kerem Akturkoglu netted the third goal in the 88th minute, while Tosun tallied another goal in the 92nd minute.