Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Military escalation in region
Israel on alert for possible military attack from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iranian-backed armed militias in Iraq and Syria following assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
Israel has not taken responsibility for Haniyeh’s assassination, but did claim responsibility for earlier assassination of prominent Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut suburb.
Israeli onslaught on Gaza
Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians and injured almost 92,000 since Oct. 7 Hamas incursion. Situation continues to worsen amid continuing attacks and minimal access to aid.
At least 100 Palestinians were killed early Saturday when the Israeli military bombed the Al-Taba'een school in the Al-Daraj neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, according to the Government Media Office. The school was housing displaced residents. Dozens were also injured in the attack.
Israeli military aircraft targeted the school while worshippers were performing the fajr (dawn) prayer, Palestinian news agency, Wafa reported.
Israel has conducted airstrikes on 13 shelter centers in Gaza, where displaced Palestinians have been seeking refuge, since the beginning of August, the Civil Defense spokesman in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Saturday.
Israel-Hezbollah escalation
Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah amid fears of full-blown war following Tel Aviv’s July 30 assassination of senior Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut.
Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas
Latest in potential cease-fire agreement and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Iran on Saturday said it wanted to avoid negatively impacting Gaza cease-fire talks with its anticipated retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank have killed at least 620 people and injured 5,400 more, with nearly 10,000 taken into custody since last October.
Protests against Israeli government
Mounting protests in Israel to pressure government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.
On Saturday, the families of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip called on the negotiating team not to surrender to Netanyahu and to reach a hostage swap deal that would lead to the release of their relatives.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and the US called on Israel and Hamas to resume cease-fire and hostage swap talks next Wednesday or Thursday in Doha or Cairo.
Red Sea tension
Continued Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in Red Sea and US-led coalition airstrikes on group's positions in Yemen.
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Paul Kagame to be sworn in for a 4th term as Rwanda's President
Rwanda’s President-elect Paul Kagame to be sworn in at a ceremony in the capital Kigali after winning last month’s presidential elections.Kagame won over 99% of the vote, beating two challengers in the July 15 polls.
Japan on ‘megaquake’ alert
Japan is on high alert as weather agency has warned of a mega earthquake. The country has been hit by 7.1 and 6.8 magnitude earthquakes in past two days.
SPORTS
2024 Paris Olympic Games gold medal women's volleyball match between Italy and the US to be played at South Paris Arena 1
France and US to meet for women's basketball the gold medal at Bercy Arena.
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games closing ceremony to be held at the athletics site, the Stade de France.