ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, August 30, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Major Israeli military offensive in northern West Bank
Developments in Israeli military operation in northern West Bank cities, considered the largest in over two decades.
The operation, which involves two army brigades, helicopters, drones, and bulldozers, particularly targets the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas.
On Thursday, the Israeli army said that five Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire inside a mosque in Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarem during the operation, bringing the death toll to 16 since Wednesday.
Military spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed that Islamic Jihad commander Muhammad Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, was among the five.
Army spokesperson Ella Waweya told Anadolu that the operation will continue “as long as necessary to achieve its security goals, meaning that we might witness confrontations for several more days and possibly longer if required.”
EU’s call for humanitarian pause in Gaza for poliovirus vaccinations
Reactions on EU High Representative Josep Borrell’s calls for a humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip to allow a vaccination campaign against poliovirus. Recent reports suggest that Hamas has accepted the pause.
Gaza Health Ministry said last Sunday that it received 1.26 million doses of polio vaccine. On Aug. 16, the ministry announced the first confirmed case of polio in the Gaza Strip in 25 years, in the city of Deir al-Balah.
Israeli onslaught on Gaza
Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,600 Palestinians and injured more than 93,800 since Hamas' Oct. 7 incursion. The situation worsens as Israeli attacks continue and aid becomes increasingly scarce in the besieged enclave.
On Thursday, tens of Palestinians, including children, were killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes in the neighborhoods of Zeitoun and al-Rimal in Gaza City in addition to al-Shati refugee camp in the same city.
Palestinians also lost their lives as Israeli warplanes struck Al-Amal neighborhood west of Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah and Rafah.
Hezbollah-Israel escalation
Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah, which carried out a major attack on Israeli military targets Sunday that Israel claimed to have thwarted. Both sides proceeded to exchange fire, as has been taking place since Oct. 8.
Hezbollah announced on Thursday that it carried out several operations against Israeli military positions along the Lebanese border including Kfar Yuval settlement, the vicinity of the Zarit barracks and the headquarters of the Golan Brigade 210 in the Neveh barracks.
In related news, Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported that the outskirts of the town of Tayr Harfa, Kfarkela town, Deir Mimas and Ayta ash Shab were subject to Israeli artillery shelling and airstrikes.
Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas
The latest on the cease-fire and hostage swap talks between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, though their chances have dimmed due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on continuing the war in the strip.
Israel media reported on Thursday that mediators are expected to present a new proposal aimed at resolving the dispute between Israel and Hamas over the Philadelphi Corridor and the Netzarim passage, which separates the northern and southern parts of Gaza.
Haaretz newspaper said that according to estimates from sources familiar with the details of the negotiations, the mediators are looking to exert pressure on both Israel and Hamas to accept the new solution to these points.
The Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometer (8.69-mile) demilitarized buffer zone along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, remains one of the major sticking points in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Protests against Israeli government
Mounting protests in Israel to put pressure on the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.
In a new approach to put more pressure on the government, families of Israeli hostages in Gaza stormed the Gaza's border fence on Thursday to demand a prisoner swap deal with Palestinians.
Red Sea tensions
Continued Houthi attacks on commercial ships suspected of having links with Israel in the Red Sea and US-led coalition airstrikes on the group's positions in Yemen.
On Thursday, the group announced that it stormed the SOUNION ship in the Red Sea, destroying its cargo and setting it on fire.
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
The humanitarian and security situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
EU defense ministers meeting
EU counterparts to gather for an informal ministerial meeting in Brussels to discuss Russia-Ukraine war, military support for Ukraine, and EU-NATO cooperation.
French President Macron visits Serbia
French President Emmanuel Macron to visit the “Gallery of Matica Srpska” and deliver a speech at “Forum on Youth and Artificial Intelligence” in Novi Sad city, on his second and final day of visit to Serbia.
UN agencies’ briefing
The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists.
Extinction Rebellion plans to occupy Windsor Great Park
Extinction Rebellion environmentalist group holds 'upgrade democracy' mass occupation event in Windsor Great Park, one of the King's residencies. The group calls for King Charles to speak out about climate change and environmental destruction.
102nd anniversary of Türkiye’s Great Victory
August 30 Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day are celebrated with ceremonies in Türkiye, its foreign missions and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Anitkabir (Ataturk's mausoleum). Erdogan to also attend National Defense University Land War College diploma receiving and flag handover ceremony.
Turkish foreign minister’s visit to Slovenia
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to pay an official visit to Slovenia.
US reactions to developments in Middle East
US’ reactions to developments in the Middle East after Israel launched a massive military operation in the occupied West Bank, and as negotiations over a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal continue in Cairo, Egypt.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to host his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, at the Pentagon for talks as Kyiv pushes its advance into Russian territory in bid to thwart the Kremlin’s ongoing occupation of Ukrainian territory.
UN Security Council to discuss Ukraine
UN Security Council to meet to discuss Ukraine at Russia’s request. Council members expected to address international military assistance to Kyiv and Ukraine’s ongoing incursion into Russia’s Kursk region.
UN-mandated committee on rights of Palestinians to meet
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to meet amid Israel’s large-scale military assault on the occupied West Bank, and continued war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Fighting between Russian, Ukrainian troops in Kursk region
Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an "operation" on Aug. 5-6. Ukraine claims it has captured over 93 settlements since then, particularly the town of Sudzha. Russian authorities have said that 31 people were killed and 143 were injured, and over 133,000 evacuated since the start of Kyiv’s incursion.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the objective of the operation as the “establishment of a buffer zone.” Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the incursion as a "terrorist attack."
Pacific leaders meeting to conclude in Tonga
Five-day meeting of Pacific leaders in Tonga will end on Friday as leaders are expected to issue a joint statement. The meeting also attended by Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers and officials from the UN.
Japan's powerful typhoon moving north over Kyushu
A powerful Typhoon Shanshan is moving northward over the Kyushu region, blanketing surrounding areas with heavy rainfall. Heavy rain and strong wind damaged houses, forced authorities in affected areas to suspend train service while several flights also canceled.
China, Singapore to hold joint maritime exercises
China and Singapore will hold a joint maritime exercise in and near Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province on Aug. 30-Sept. 5
Eurozone inflation rate
Eurostat to share annual provisional inflation figures for August and unemployment rate for July. July inflation rate came in at 2.6%, the figure is projected to decrease to 2.2% this month.
SPORTS
The 2024 summer transfer window opened for most European leagues on July 1 and will close on Friday.
SPECIAL REPORTS
West Bank assault: ‘Israel accelerating ethnic cleansing for absolute, permanent control’
By Rabia Ali
Istanbul – Report on Israel’s intensified military assault on the occupied West Bank, where its forces have killed and wounded dozens of Palestinians over the past two days.
The story is based on an interview with Palestinian political analyst and researcher Nour Odeh, who speaks about the strategy and objectives of Israel’s ramped-up military offensive on the West Bank.
Odeh explains how the current situation is part of Israel’s aim of ethnically cleansing and annexing the occupied West Bank for “absolute and complete control that is permanent.”
US interest rates: Jury still out on scale of imminent Fed cut
By Ovunc Kutlu
Istanbul – Report about the US Federal Reserve’s future course on interest rates, focusing on the question of whether it will opt for a cut of 25 or 50 basis points.
The story gives details of the key factors that could determine the Fed’s policy path and an analysis of recent statements by officials including its head Jerome Powell.
The report includes comments from Lauren Saidel-Baker, an economist at US-based research and consulting firm ITR Economics, and Michael Brown, a senior research strategist at online trading and forex firm Pepperstone.