ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu’s English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
PALESTINE
GAZA – The 77th day of the devastating Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which, according to the latest toll, left over 20,000 Palestinians dead and 52,600 wounded, most of them children and women, in addition to massive destruction of houses and infrastructure, and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
Continuing field operations between Hamas and the Israeli army in the center of Gaza Strip, Jabalia in the north, Khan Younis and Rafah in the south. On Thursday, Palestinian factions fired a number of missiles towards several cities in central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as the city of Ashdod in the south of the country, while the Israeli army bombed the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, killing three people, including the crossing manager.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip announced on Thursday that hundreds of wounded people have died as a result of the lack of health services at Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza City.
- Weekly marches denouncing Israeli attacks on Gaza are expected in Islamic countries after Friday prayer.
WEST BANK (AA) – Almost daily Israeli army incursions into West Bank cities that have resulted in the killing of more than 303 Palestinians since Oct. 7.
LEBANON
BEIRUT – Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah continue to exchange cross-border fire with Israeli forces striking Lebanese border towns and targeting homes and civilians, while Hezbollah continued attacking northern Israel with Katyusha rockets and incendiary missiles.
The diplomatic contacts aiming to conclude a new swap deal between Israel and the Hamas movement after news of an American-Israeli-Qatari meeting in the Polish capital, Warsaw, to discuss the deal, which the families of the Israeli prisoners are pressing to “conclude immediately.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Wednesday that his country is ready for another humanitarian pause in Gaza in exchange for the release of more hostages held by Hamas.
The continuing political and popular criticism against the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu amid demands for the necessity of its resignation and holding new elections, even during the war, such as said by Knesset lawmaker from the “There is a Future” party, Merav Cohen, for the necessity of dismissing Netanyahu.
YEMEN
SANAA – Situation in the Red Sea in light of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announcing multinational forces from 10 countries with the aim of deterring attacks by the Houthi group against Israeli ships.
JORDAN
AMMAN – The second day of a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to the kingdom, during which he visited the Muwafaq Salti Air Base in the Azraq region in the center of the country, where there are 350 French soldiers, to celebrate Christmas with them. Macron is expected to hold a meeting with the King of Jordan King Abdullah II to discuss developments in the region, especially the war in Gaza.
US
WASHINGTON – Desk to monitor statements from Biden administration on Gaza conflict, possible protests in solidarity with Palestine.
NEW YORK – UN Security Council expected to vote on resolution on Gaza, delayed for four days in a row.
NEW YORK – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to hold press briefing.
SWITZERLAND
GENEVA – UN in Geneva to hold bi-weekly press briefing, Gaza situation is likely to be discussed.
CZECH REPUBLIC
PRAGUE – Developments after at least 15 people were killed and dozens injured in university shooting incident in Czech capital.
RUSSIA
MOSCOW – Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to chair annual general meeting of Commission of Russian Federation for UNESCO.
CHINA
BEIJING – China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news briefing.
THE ECONOMY
ANKARA – Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye to reveal newly established and closed firm figures for November.
ANKARA – Culture and Tourism Ministry to share foreign tourist figures for November.
TOKYO – Japan to reveal annual inflation figures for November. The rate was at 2.9% in October and it is expected to drop 2.5% in November.
LONDON – UK to announce GDP figures for third quarter. The rate is expected to be at 0.6%.
BERLIN – Germany’s Destatis to share import prices for November. Related to the base effect, the import prices have been decreasing by double digit levels in the recent period and this downward trend is expected to continue in November.
SPORTS
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Manchester City to face Fluminense in 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final while third-place match to be played between Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Al Ahly.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Israel will refrain from direct action against Houthis until international coalition acts: Experts
By Esra Tekin
ISTANBUL – Report focusing on the possible steps that Israel could take against Yemen’s Houthi rebel group, who have recently ramped up attacks on ships in the Red Sea, leading to the formation of a US-led 10-nation patrol force.
The story includes interviews with Elisabeth Kendall, senior research fellow at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, and Yonatan Freeman, international relations expert at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
They share their expectations on the course of action that Israel could take, with both of the view that it will not engage in direct confrontation with the Houthis and opt to wait and assess the impact of the international coalition’s deterrence strategies.
‘What’s happened to humanity?’ UK surgeon who worked in Gaza decries Israel’s deadly war
By Burak Bir
LONDON – Interview with Dr. Shafi Ahmed, an eminent UK cancer surgeon who has previously worked in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the impact of Israel’s war on the Palestinian territory’s health care sector.
Ahmed voices grave concern over the scale of the current health care crisis in Gaza, specifically condemning Israel for intentionally and deliberately targeting health facilities.
He speaks about the challenges that millions in Gaza are facing due to the collapse of the health system, as well as the issues they have suffered in the past due to Israel’s crippling blockade on the enclave.
‘Finland’s decision to close Russia border contrary to international law’
By Leila Nezirevic
LONDON – Report about Finland’s move to shutter its massive border with Russia earlier last week, a step it took after accusing Moscow of resuming an effort to funnel in migrants.
The story focuses on the concerns that human rights organizations have raised about the step, warning that it could adversely impact vulnerable populations.
It includes interviews with Pargol Miraftabi, legal adviser and spokesperson at Amnesty International Finland, and Annu Lehtinen, executive director of the Finnish Refugee Council.
They explain how the border closure could affect people, particularly asylum seekers, and measures that must be taken to avoid such unwanted outcomes.
Türkiye’s policy shift reduces near-term macro-financial stability risks: Experts
By Nuran Erkul
LONDON – Report about the Turkish economy’s performance in 2023 and projections for the year 2024.
The story includes interviews with Erich Arispe Morales, a senior director at Fitch Ratings and primary Türkiye analyst, and Ken Wattret, vice-president for global economics at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
They speak about the shift in Türkiye’s post-election policies and how that has helped reduce near-term macro-financial stability risks, balance of payment pressures, and brought about other improvements.
The experts also share their expectations for next year, particularly focusing on the potential results of recent mechanisms introduced by the government.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with Dr. Shafi Ahmed, an eminent UK cancer surgeon who has previously worked in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the devastating impact of Israel’s war on the Palestinian territory’s healthcare sector.
VIDEO – Interviews with Pargol Miraftabi, legal adviser and spokesperson at Amnesty International Finland, and Annu Lehtinen, executive director of the Finnish Refugee Council, about Finland’s move to close its border with Russia and decision’s potential impact on human rights.