Morning Briefing: Oct. 18, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including Israel’s deadly airstrike that killed over 500 at Gaza hospital, outrage against Israeli attack by countries and organizations, and postponement of meeting between Arab leaders and US President after Gaza hospital tragedy.

TOP STORIES

• Massacre at Gaza hospital as Israeli airstrike kill at least 500 people

More than 500 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said.

Footage showed corpses scattered across the hospital grounds as thousands were in the hospital at the time of bombardment.

Most of the victims were “children and women who lost their features,” according to authorities.

Health Ministry authorities also said that medical capabilities were a few hours away from being completely exhausted.

The Israeli army said reports of a possible airstrike on the hospital “are still under review.”

Palestinian group Hamas called Israel's targeting of the hospital a "genocide."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas termed it a 'heinous war massacre' and said it will not go unaccounted for.

• World leaders, NGOs decry Israeli bombing of hospital, term it war crime

Deputy head of Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev called Gaza hospital attack war crime and said that US ultimately was responsible.

UN chief Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Gaza hospital attack and said that “hospitals and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "Striking a hospital where there are women, children, and innocent civilians is the latest example of Israel's attacks devoid of fundamental human values.”

Lebanon’s Hezbollah group announced Wednesday would be “a day of unprecedented anger" against Israel.

President Joe Biden said Tuesday he is "deeply saddened by the explosion."

US Muslim group CAIR condemned Israel's "war crime.”

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon and Libya released statements condemning the attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron said: “Nothing can justify a strike against a hospital. Nothing can justify targeting civilians."

• Biden, Arab leaders postpone meeting after Gaza hospital tragedy

US President Joe Biden postponed a meeting with Arab leaders that was to take place amid soaring casualties in the besieged Gaza Strip, the White House said Tuesday.

"After consulting with King Abdullah II of Jordan and in light of the days of mourning announced by President (Mahmoud) Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, President Biden will postpone his travel to Jordan and the planned meeting with these two leaders and President (Abdel Fattah al-) Sisi of Egypt," a White House official told reporters. ​​​​​​​

NEWS IN BRIEF

• More than 30 Palestinians were killed early Wednesday in fresh attacks of artillery, air and sea bombardments throughout the Gaza Strip, according to medical and local sources.

• Israeli forces were targeted by an anti-tank missile early Wednesday near the Lebanese border, according to a statement by the Israeli army, as Israel says it responded with artillery shelling.

• UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting Wednesday on Gaza hospital attack as Brazil's draft resolution calling for 'humanitarian pause' will be put to a vote.

• Scotland is willing to be the first country in the UK to offer safety and sanctuary to refugees from Gaza, First Minister Humza Yousaf said.

• Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh held US responsible for attack on hospital in Gaza, saying: "This genocide is borne by those who provided cover in the (UN) Security Council."

• China’s President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that the 3rd Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing is a “magnificent chapter in promoting a connected world," as he hosted world leaders, including his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

• 31 Americans were killed in Hamas attack on Israel, says White House spokesperson as the number of unaccounted for is 13 right now.

• The US Department of Defense said Tuesday that it is providing security systems to Israel to eliminate the Palestinian group Hamas and that does not mean killing innocent civilians in Palestine.

• Hundreds of people gathered outside the White House late Tuesday to protest Israel's ongoing attacks in Gaza, Palestine.

SPORTS

• England beat Italy to qualify for EURO 2024

England beat Italy 3-1 to seal a UEFA EURO 2024 spot Tuesday.

Italian forward Gianluca Scamacca gave the visitors a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes at London's Wembley Stadium.

Forward Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute to level the match.

Marcus Rashford's vicious strike beat Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in 57th minute. Later, Bayern Munich forward finished in the area after tackling Italian defender Giorgio Scalvini.

• Italy’s football body bans Juventus midfielder for breaching betting rules

Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was handed a seven-month ban Tuesday by the Italian football body for violating betting rules.

"The Federal Prosecution has reached an agreement with the footballer, Nicolò Fagioli, as a result of which, he will be sanctioned with a 12-month suspension, 5 of which will be commuted to rehabilitation along with a fine of 12,500 euros ($13,204)," said a statement from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Oil marginally higher amid escalating conflict in Middle East

Oil prices saw limited gains on Tuesday amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas and a tentative resolution to US sanctions on Venezuela.

International benchmark crude Brent traded at $89.98 per barrel at 10.26 a.m. local time (0726GMT), a 0.37% gain from the closing price of $89.65 a barrel in the previous trading session on Friday.

• Toyota halts production after explosion at parts supplier's factory

Toyota Motor has temporarily halted production at its six plants following an explosion at the factory of parts supplier Chuo Spring Co.

It was reported that the explosion in Aichi province, which injured two male workers, damaged the drying ovens in the facility.

After the explosion, 10 production lines in six factories in Japan were temporarily stopped.