Morning Briefing: Oct. 21, 2023

By Zehra Nur Duz

Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including the killing of dozens in new Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, Israeli forces threatening to bomb the Al-Quds Hospital in the Gaza Strip, mass demonstrations in solidarity with suffering Palestinians in Arab nations.

TOP STORIES

• Dozens killed in new Israeli airstrikes in Gaza

At least 43 Palestinians, including seven children, were killed in renewed Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, authorities and the media said Saturday.

Warplanes struck several areas in Rafah in southern Gaza, leaving at least seven dead, according to Palestinian state news agency, WAFA, citing sources.

Fourteen were killed in an Israeli bombardment in Jabalia in northern Gaza, said one source.

• Israel threatens to bomb Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza: Palestinian Red Crescent

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said Israeli forces threatened to bomb the Al-Quds Hospital in the Gaza Strip, which is sheltering thousands of displaced women and children.

As many as "12,000 displaced people, including 70% children and women, are in imminent danger after Israeli forces threatened to bomb Al-Quds Hospital and demanded evacuation," the humanitarian organization wrote on X.

"This place could turn to ashes if those threats are carried out."

• Pro-Palestine demonstrations rock Arab world

Amid Israeli bombardment of Gaza, mass demonstrations in solidarity with suffering Palestinians began in Arab nations following congregational Friday prayers.

According to an Anadolu reporter, demonstrations were held in several Egyptian cities.

Protesters raised slogans in solidarity with Gaza and against the displacement of Palestinians from the besieged enclave.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Israeli army said it carried out overnight airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
• ​​​​​​​Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye is in contact with all sides involved in the ongoing crisis in Gaza, and efforts are underway to facilitate a cease-fire, delivery of humanitarian aid and a possible hostage exchange.
• US President Joe Biden said an initial tranche of direly needed humanitarian aid is set to enter the besieged Gaza Strip within 48 hours.
• The military wing of the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, announced the release of two American detainees “for humanitarian reasons."
• Forced migration of Palestinians is "unacceptable," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the telephone.
• Türkiye reiterates its demand to Israel "not to expand the scope of its attacks on civilians" and cease operations that approach "genocide," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Israeli bombardment of Gaza “goes beyond the right to self-defense,” and urged the revival of the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.
• The death toll in Gaza from Israel's ongoing bombardment has climbed to 4,137, according to Health Ministry officials in the besieged enclave.
• Egypt said the Rafah border crossing with Gaza was open on its side, accusing Israel of "refusing" entry of aid into the besieged enclave.
• Israel’s ambassador to Moscow said the decision to launch a ground operation in the Gaza Strip has been made, Russian state media reported.

SPORTS

• Footballers supporting Palestine in Europe under pressure

Footballers supporting Palestine are under pressure from their European clubs and politicians.

Several players who showed support for Palestine during an ongoing conflict with Israel were excluded from their team squads.

• F1 icon Lewis Hamilton says 'my heart breaks' for victims in Israel, Palestine​​​​​​​

Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, pleaded for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, saying his "heart breaks for the innocent lives lost."

"My heart breaks for the innocent lives lost in Israel and Palestine, and all the lives that have been forever changed," said Hamilton, who has 34.9 million followers on Instagram, according to the Meta-owned platform.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Xi extends China’s no ‘strings’ support to embattled Sri Lanka

China’s President Xi Jinping said Beijing will extend support to Sri Lanka “without any political strings attached.”

“China will continue to provide assistance to Sri Lanka and help the country cope with difficulties concerning its society and people's livelihood,” Xi told Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Beijing.

• UK 30-Year borrowing costs at highest since 1998

Britain's long-term borrowing costs surged to levels not seen since 1998, as the yield on 30-year British government bonds reached its highest in more than 25 years.

The yield on 30-year British government bonds climbed to 5.119%, an increase of 4 basis points during the trading session.