Morning Briefing: October 9, 2023

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including the latest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the post-earthquake situation in Afghanistan, and rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon.

TOP STORIES

• Israel launches fresh airstrikes on Gaza as fighting continues

As fighting between Hamas and Israel forces advanced into its third day, at least 32 more Palestinians were killed early on Monday in fresh Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Israeli fighter jets staged several strikes in northern Gaza, authorities reported, while the Israeli army declared closure of the West Bank.

Hamas claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on Israel's international airport in Tel Aviv.

Thousands of Palestinians are seeking refuge in schools, according to a UN official.

Since the start of the conflict between the Palestinian resistance group Hamas and Israel, at least 700 Israelis have been killed and over 2,300 others wounded, authorities say.

The Israeli army has so far killed more than 430 Palestinians and wounded over 2,000.

• Rallies held in different countries in shows of support amid Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Demonstrations were held in different countries to express support for Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A rally was held in the British city of Brighton to show support for Palestine, as demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and signs, chanting slogans for a "Free Palestine."

Another group of demonstrators gathered in the Swedish capital Stockholm to express support for Palestine and condemn the Israeli occupation.

Demonstrators also gathered in New York City. Pro-Palestinian supporters held a rally in Times Square and marched through Midtown Manhattan, while pro-Israeli supporters congregated near the Israeli Consulate in Manhattan.

• Death toll from Afghanistan earthquake exceeds 2,500

The death toll from Saturday's earthquake that struck northwestern Afghanistan has exceeded 2,500, an official said on Sunday.

More than 1,300 houses were partially or fully destroyed in the earthquake, said the Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority.

A dozen villages in the province of Herat, home to almost 2 million people, have been completely wiped out, local media reported.

Rescue teams and locals are struggling to pull out the dead and injured trapped under the debris.

• Israeli defense minister orders evacuation of settlements near Lebanon

As tensions rise between Israel and Lebanon, Israel's defense chief ordered the evacuation of settlements near Lebanon amid developments in the fighting with Palestinian group Hamas.

In a statement, the Israeli army said soldiers stationed in Shtula opened fire on a vehicle that arrived at high speed and attempted to bypass their checkpoint. Four Israeli soldiers were wounded.

Early on Sunday, the Israeli army and Lebanese group Hezbollah exchanged limited shelling in border areas.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least three civilians, including an infant, were wounded in a cluster bomb attack by the Syrian Armed Forces in the west of Aleppo province, local sources said.

• Turkish warplanes hit six PKK/YPG terror targets, including an oil factory, in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said late on Sunday.

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his administration was verifying reports that Americans are being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

• Israel on Sunday urged its nationals in Egypt to leave the country "forthwith," hours after a shooting in the city of Alexandria that killed two Israeli tourists.

• Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Sunday that the international support behind Israel encourages it to commit more crimes.

• The Turkish Coast Guard said Sunday that it rescued 57 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea after Greek authorities pushed them back into Turkish territorial waters.

SPORTS

• Max Verstappen has dream weekend, wins Qatar Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen won Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix in the Formula 1, only a day after securing his third consecutive world title.

Already a champion, Verstappen won the 57-lap Qatar Grand Prix with a time of 1 hour 27 minutes and 39.168 seconds.

Verstappen took his 14th win of the season.

• UEFA postpones matches in Israel until Oct. 17

UEFA on Sunday postponed all matches scheduled in Israel until Oct. 17, amid escalating tensions with Palestine.

"In light of the current security situation in Israel, UEFA has decided to postpone all matches scheduled in Israel in the next couple of weeks with new dates to be confirmed in due course," the European football's governing body's statement read.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Russia commences natural gas deliveries to Uzbekistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Saturday that his country began natural gas deliveries to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan.

Gas producer Uzbekistan will import natural gas from Russia for the first time due to a decline in production capacity.

It will import 7 million cubic meters of natural gas per day.