Morning Briefing: October 19, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including Israel’s deadly airstrikes in Gaza, Egypt allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza according to the US president, the US vetoing a UN resolution for a Gaza cease-fire, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation demanding an immediate cessation of Israel’s “barbaric aggression.”

TOP STORIES

• Israeli continues air strikes in Gaza, kills dozens

A number of Palestinians were killed late Wednesday by an Israeli airstrike on a house close to a school sheltering displaced people in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli warplanes struck a home near a school for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, killing nine, including seven children.

Israeli raids on residential buildings in the city of Rafah south of Gaza City left at least 20 Palestinians dead, said eyewitnesses.

The Israeli army has completed preparations to carry out a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, local media reported Wednesday.

• Biden says Egypt to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has agreed to allow up to 20 trucks of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, US President Joe Biden said Wednesday.

Addressing reporters on Air Force One during his return trip from Israel, Biden said that "Sisi deserves a lot of credit" for the agreement and said the Egyptian president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "stepped up" to facilitate the pending delivery.

Gaza is facing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.

• US vetoes UN Security Council resolution for humanitarian pauses in Gaza

The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution Wednesday put forward by Brazil seeking humanitarian pauses in the hostilities in Gaza.

The resolution got 12 votes in favor, one against, and two abstentions, from Russia and the UK.

“The draft resolution has not been adopted owing to the negative vote of a permanent member of the council," meaning the US, Brazil's UN Ambassador Sergio Franca Danese said.

Russia's UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, accused the US of hypocrisy and being unprincipled.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said US leaders are on the ground doing the hard work of diplomacy.

• OIC calls for immediate cessation of Israel’s ‘barbaric aggression’ against Palestinians

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called Wednesday for the immediate cessation of Israel’s “barbaric aggression” against the Palestinian people.

In a communique released following an extraordinary foreign ministers’ meeting, the bloc called for the immediate lifting of the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip.

The pan-Islamic grouping reiterated its support for their right to self-determination, and called for the quick provision of humanitarian, medical and relief aid, water, and electricity to the Gaza Strip.

Hamas hailed the OIC statement.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye has declared three days of national mourning in honor of the Palestinians who died in recent attacks on Gaza, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Wednesday.

• Israel launched attacks against targets belonging to the Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, according to the military.

• Hezbollah is 10 times stronger than Hamas, said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, adding that the Israeli army must be prepared along its northern front for the Lebanese group.

• Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Wednesday that Israel’s attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza is a "war crime" that must be the focus of an international investigation.

• British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Thursday, according to the UK premier's office.

• Vandals drew symbols including a swastika and the Star of David on the entrance door of a mosque in Germany after failing to burn it down.

• Around 5,000 demonstrated in London outside the prime minister’s office on Wednesday against an Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza.

• There was a protest in front of the US Consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye against the Israeli attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza.

• A senior US State Department official, Josh Paul, resigned late Wednesday over President Joe Biden's handling of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

SPORTS

• Brazil forward Neymar to undergo surgery for major knee injury

Brazil forward Neymar will undergo surgery for a major knee injury, his club Al-Hilal said Wednesday.

"The medical tests Neymar underwent confirmed the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear injury in his knee. He will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later … Return stronger Neymar," the Saudi Pro League club said on X.

• Liverpool star Mohamed Salah calls for aid in Gaza

World-famous Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah urged world leaders Wednesday to allow humanitarian aid "immediately" into war-stricken Gaza.

"What's clear now is that humanitarian aid to Gaza must be allowed immediately. The people there are in terrible condition," Salah said in a video on social media.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• European Central Bank ready for next phase of digital euro

The European Central Bank announced Wednesday that its governing council will start a digital euro preparation phase following the conclusion of a two-year investigation on designing and distribution.

The new phase aims to pave the way for a potential future decision on issuing a digital euro, it said.

• US 10-year Treasury yield hits 4.9%, 1st time in 16 years

The 10-year US Treasury yield climbed above 4.9% on Wednesday for the first time in more than 16 years.

The yield on 10-year Treasury bonds climbed to as high as 4.9280% at 12.05 p.m. EDT – the highest since 2007, according to official data.