Morning Briefing: Oct. 30, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) — Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, and a phone call between US President Joe Biden and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi over the displacement of Palestinians.

TOP STORIES

• Türkiye setting sail towards 2nd century, says President Erdogan on 100th anniversary

Türkiye is setting sail towards its second century, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

"The Republic of Türkiye, which we declared on Oct. 29, 1923, is completing its first century today and is setting sail towards its second century we call Century of Türkiye," Erdogan said on the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye in Istanbul.

He stressed that no imperialist power would be able to prevent the nation from being happy, successful, and victorious.

• 4 Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire in Jenin

At least four Palestinians were killed and nine others injured by Israeli forces during clashes in the occupied West Banks city of Jenin early on Monday, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Israeli forces stormed the city with more than 100 military vehicles, accompanied by two military bulldozers, besieging the vicinity of the Ibn Sina Hospital, media outlets reported.

In Gaza, at least 12 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Bilal ibn Rabah Mosque in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday.

As the Israeli offensive entered its 23rd day on Sunday, the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza rose to 8,005, including 3,342 children. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.

• Egypt will never allow displacement of Palestinians to Egyptian territory, Al-Sisi tells Biden

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told his US counterpart Joe Biden in a phone call late Sunday that Egypt would never allow the displacement of Palestinians from their lands to Egyptian territory.

According to a statement, the two leaders discussed the overall security situation, with Al-Sisi stressing the need to reach "an immediate humanitarian truce."

He said Egypt rejects policies of collective punishment and displacement in Gaza.

Biden emphasized the US "rejection of the displacement of Palestinians outside their lands," according to the statement.

• World leaders congratulate Türkiye on its founding centenary

Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, congratulated Turkish President Erdogan on the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also joined world leaders who did so, as did Eurasian countries, including Turkic states.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday extended his "sincere congratulations" to mark the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye.

The Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also congratulated Erdogan, while Pakistan greeted Turkish leaders and people on the occasion.

NATO extended its congratulations with a post on X. Finland illuminated the iconic Merikasarmi building with the colors red and white of the Turkish flag.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, said early Monday that two of its members were killed in clashes in the Israeli area of Hanita, near the Lebanese border.

• The Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov on Sunday in protest of the hosting last week by Moscow of a delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas

• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the latest developments in Gaza in a phone call, including preventing conflict from spillover, efforts for hostages' release, and the urgency of a humanitarian corridor, sources say.

• The UN on Sunday announced that 59 employees of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have been killed in Gaza due to Israeli attacks since Oct. 7.

• The Israeli army said late Sunday that 239 people are being held by the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, at a press conference where spokesman Daniel Hagari said the families of abductees in Gaza had been informed.

• Thousands braved the rain in the Dutch city of The Hague to participate in a march in support of Palestine, denouncing Israel's attacks on Gaza, while another thousands-strong group marched towards the Israeli Embassy in Athens in a demonstration called by trade union PAME.

• The Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, has called on tech billionaire Elon Musk to assist in providing essential communication support to the beleaguered residents of Gaza.

• Continuous Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 have led to the destruction of 47 mosques, damage to three churches, 203 schools in addition to 80 government buildings, local media reported.

• Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced Sunday that a ballistic analysis revealed that Reuters journalist Issam Abdullah was killed in a targeted strike by the Israeli military.

SPORTS

• Manchester City beat Man Utd 3-0 to clinch big win in derby

An Erling Haaland-led Manchester City beat Manchester United 3-0 on Sunday in a big derby win.

Man City's Norwegian star Haaland scored the opening goal from the penalty spot in the first half.

After the break, Haaland scored a header. Manchester City made it 3-0 in the 80th minute.

• Red Bull's Max Verstappen victorious in Mexico City, takes 16th win of F1 season

Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday to bag a record 16th victory in the 2023 Formula 1 season.

Verstappen, who has already won the 2023 title after a sprint race in Qatar earlier in October, broke his own record that he set in 2022.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Despite troubles, Türkiye manages to become one of world's largest economies over 100 years

Despite wars in neighboring countries, crises, terrorist attacks, disasters, and coups, Türkiye has emerged as one of the world's largest economies.

The Turkish economy is the 17th largest in the world.

According to the medium-term program, employment is expected to reach 31.65 million by the end of this year.

GDP is projected to be 25.48 trillion Turkish liras ($903.9 billion) at current prices, and national income per capita is expected to be $12,415.