ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
TÜRKİYE
Istanbul – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to receive Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Vahdettin Mansion.
MIDDLE EAST
PALESTINE
Gaza Strip - After 105 days of the Israeli war on Gaza, the latest figures released on Friday indicate 24,762 lives lost and 62,108 people injured, with the majority being women and children. The conflict has wrought immense destruction, unfolding into an unparalleled humanitarian and health crisis.
Fighting continues across Gaza between the Israeli army and the Palestinian fighters.
West Bank - The Israeli army's daily incursions into cities and towns in the occupied West Bank persist, with recent developments leading to a rise in the death toll to 369 since Oct. 7.
The number of Palestinians from the West Bank, including Jerusalem, held in Israeli prisons has exceeded 6,000, while the Israeli army has reported the arrest of nearly 2,700 Palestinians during the same period. Among those apprehended are 1,300 activists affiliated with the Gaza-based resistance group Hamas, according to the Israeli military's statement.
ISRAEL
Tel Aviv - As the Israeli military's ground operation in the Gaza Strip continues, Israel on Friday announced one more soldier was killed and 13 others were injured in Gaza, bringing the army's death toll since the ground operation on Oct. 27 to 194, and to 530 since the Oct. 7 attacks.
The Israeli captives' issue is expected to fuel Israeli internal differences between the government and opposition, as well as cast a shadow on efforts - mainly by Qatar - to reach a new swap deal.
LEBANON
Beirut - The ongoing border tension between Hezbollah and Israel since Oct. 8 continues with both parties exchanging fire across the border.
The toll of the confrontations along the country's borders has been devastating, with nearly 200 killed on the Lebanese side - mainly fighters from the Hezbollah group - while on the Israeli side, the number given by Israeli media is 19, including 12 soldiers and 7 civilians.
YEMEN
Sanaa - The developments in the Red Sea continue to take place as the US and UK initiated a series of military raids on Yemen as of Jan. 11, which led to casualties among the Houthi fighters, according to the Yemeni authorities.
While the US and British officials stress continuation of bombing Houthi targets in Yemen, the Yemeni rebel group also vowed to remain on its position to prevent Israel-linked ships from sailing in the Red Sea. The group organized huge rallies on Friday in the areas under its control sending clear messages of continuing its approach towards the Israel-bound ships and the US-UK attacks against them.
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, carrying Ax-3 Mission crew, is expected to dock at International Space Station at 1015GMT.
SPORTS
Ivory Coast - Algeria to face Burkina Faso in 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations group match.
Melbourne - Round 3 matches in women's and men's singles to be held at Australian Open, first Grand Slam of 2024.