Morning Briefing: Oct. 31, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including Israel-Palestine conflict entering 25th day with continuous bombardment and airstrikes on Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justifying Gaza killings, the attack on Gaza Turkish-Palestinian Friendship hospital by Israeli forces, and Moscow claiming Dagestan protests were result of Ukraine’s ‘external provocation.’

TOP STORIES

• Israel-Palestine conflict enters 25th day with over a dozen Palestinians killed in Gaza airstrike

At least 15 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike Monday that targeted a residence belonging to the Abu Shamala family in central Gaza Strip, the Palestine News Agency WAFA reported. Warplanes also bombed a four-story building in southeastern Gaza, resulting in dozens of casualties.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, said that they exchanged fire with Israeli forces that penetrated Gaza.

Earlier, the Gasza government said that Israeli tanks withdrew from Salah al-Din Street in Gaza City after a brief incursion.

Over 9,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including 8,306 Palestinians and 1,538 Israelis.​​​​​​

• 'This is a time for war': Netanyahu quotes Bible to justify Israeli onslaught in Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said Israel would not agree to a cease-fire in Gaza, and quoted Bible that "this is a time for war."

He said Israel would not agree to "cessation of hostilities with Hamas after the horrific attack" of Oct. 7, just as the US did not do so after the bombing of Pearl Harbor or after the attacks of 9/11.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement late Monday saying any humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza will help Israel’s war efforts and is checked before entry.

• Türkiye condemns Israel's attack on Gaza Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital

Türkiye condemned in strongest terms Israel's attack on the Gaza Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the only cancer hospital in the besieged enclave, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“There can be no justification for such an attack carried out despite all necessary information, including the coordinates of the institution, was previously shared with the Israeli authorities.”

Earlier, the medical facility, dedicated to cancer patients in Gaza, suffered damage from Israeli airstrikes, particularly impacting its third and top floors.

• Russia claims Dagestan protests result of 'planned external provocation’ by Ukraine

The protests at an airport in the Russian Republic of Dagestan were the result of a "planned external provocation” by Ukraine, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova in a statement.

Later, Russia's President Vladimir Putin in a meeting with security and law enforcement officials, said that there is "no justification" for dreadful events in Gaza, where thousands of innocent people are being killed indiscriminately.

He said the situation in the Middle East is being used by “geopolitical puppet masters” for selfish purposes.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• "Gaza is now hell on Earth," Palestine's UN envoy told a Security Council emergency session. "Saving humanity from hell today means for the UN to save Palestinians in Gaza," Riyad Mansour said in his address at the session.

• The White House reiterated its opposition to a humanitarian cease-fire in the besieged Gaza Strip, saying it would only benefit Hamas.

• Paul Bristow, a Conservative member of the UK parliament, was dismissed from his post as a parliamentary private secretary after publicly advocating for a cease-fire in Gaza.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opposed the bombing of hospitals in Gaza and stressed that these vital medical facilities need to be protected, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

• The armed wing of Hamas released a video of three Israeli women held captive in Gaza. "We are facing this situation because of the failure you caused on Oct. 7, you are obliged to release us all," an Israeli captive said, in words directed at Israeli prime minister.

• The Israeli Ministry of Intelligence prepared a study that included three alternatives for the post-war situation in Gaza, one of which is relocating its residents to Egyptian Sinai.

• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) mourned the 63 members of its staff killed in Gaza due to Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, saying: "No words can describe the grief for 63 of our UNRWA colleagues killed in Gaza since 7 October."

• China has called for a two-state solution amid the Israeli conflict in Gaza, pledging to "do everything it can to help implement" the solution, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

• Britain’s King Charles III arrived in Kenya accompanied by Queen Camilla for a four-day historic visit that promises to strengthen ties between the two countries, his first official visit to a Commonwealth nation since his ascension to the throne.

SPORTS

• Lionel Messi wins 2023 Men's Ballon d'Or

Inter Miami's Argentine superstar Lionel Messi was announced the winner of the 2023 Men's Ballon d'Or award at a ceremony in Paris, marking a record eighth win.

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the 2023 Women's Ballon d'Or award.

Treble winners Manchester City were awarded the 2023 Men's Club of the Year award.

• FIFA bans Spain’s former football chief from all football-related activities

FIFA announced that it has banned the former president of Spain’s football association from all football-related activities at national and international levels for three years.

Luis Rubiales had already been temporarily suspended from football at a professional level after he kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during celebrations. Afterward, he refused to admit any wrongdoing despite her claims of feeling humiliated.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Israel freezes tax revenues for Palestinian Authority

Israel’s finance minister froze the transfer of tax revenues amounting to some $188 million monthly to the Palestinian Authority (PA), according to Israeli media.

Bezalel Smotrich said the funds will be withheld over the failure of the Ramallah-based authority to condemn an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Hamas group into Israeli territory, which began the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

• Germany's annual inflation eases to over 2-year low in October

Germany's annual consumer inflation cooled to 3.8% in October, the lowest rate since August 2021, according to flash estimates.

The figure eased for the fourth consecutive month in October, which was down from 4.5% in September, the Federal Statistics Office (Destatis) data showed.

While energy prices dropped by 3.2% year-on-year in October, food prices surged by 6.1%.​​​​​​​