ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, September 5, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
MIDDLE EAST
Israeli major military offensive in West Bank
Developments related to Israel's military offensive in northern occupied West Bank cities, which is considered the largest in over two decades.
At least 33 Palestinians have been killed and 140 others injured in Israeli military offensives in the northern West Bank since last week, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
Forces stormed the cities of Jenin and Tulkarem, as well as the refugee camps there and the Fara camp near Tubas.
The Israeli army pushed military reinforcement into certain areas of Jenin and Tulkarem, amid a fire exchange with Palestinian fighters, an Anadolu correspondent reported. The army also has tightened its blockade of the Jenin refugee camp, sending in more forces escorted by drones and bulldozers.
Jenin Mayor Nidal al-Obaidi on Wednesday declared the northern West Bank city a “disaster area,” as the Israeli army continued its military assaults there.
Besides, the Israeli military is turning the city of Hebron and neighboring towns in the southern West Bank into what resembles a "large prison" by severing their connections with military checkpoints and iron gates, Palestinians told Anadolu.
Israel implemented these measures after a Palestinian shot and killed three Israelis near Hebron on Sunday, as well as a double bombing at the Gush Etzion settlement.
Egyptian president’s visit to Türkiye
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi began his visit to Türkiye on Wednesday at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the two governments in a variety of cooperation areas, including industry, defense, health, environment, and energy.
Al-Sisi said his visit marks the beginning of a new phase in Egyptian-Turkish relations. He went on to say that Egypt and Türkiye agree on the importance of establishing a cease-fire in Gaza and putting an end to Israeli aggression in the West Bank.
Israeli onslaught on Gaza
Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 40,800 Palestinians and injured more than 94,300 since Hamas' incursion on Oct. 7. The situation worsens as Israeli attacks continue, and aid becomes increasingly scarce in the besieged enclave.
At least six people were killed when Israeli forces shelled a group of Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, a medical source said. An artillery shell hit a group of people in the Sheikh Zayed Towers area in northern Gaza as they gathered to receive an internet signal, eyewitnesses said.
Polio vaccination campaign in Gaza continues
Amid ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, the polio vaccination campaign for children under the age of 10 ended on Wednesday in the central Gaza, with more than 189,000 children vaccinated, according to the World Health Organization.
The drive now moves to Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where it begins on Thursday and to continue until Sunday. The final phase of the inoculation will take place in Gaza City and the northern regions between Sept. 9 and Sept. 12, according to the Gaza Media Office.
Protests against Israeli government
Mounting protests in Israel to put pressure on the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to either negotiate a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Hamas or resign.
On Wednesday, Israeli protesters, including families of hostages, blocked a road in Tel Aviv to demand a hostage swap with Palestinian factions.
Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas
The latest on Israel-Hamas cease-fire in Gaza and hostage swap talks, though their chances have dimmed due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on continuing the war in the Gaza Strip.
Mediators are expected to present a “compromise plan” for a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN on Wednesday. The plan will be presented on Friday.
KAN said Mossad chief David Barnea informed mediators that Israel is ready to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border in the second phase of the cease-fire plan.
Hezbollah-Israel escalation
Continued border clashes between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah.
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.
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
The humanitarian and security situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate amid clashes between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
EUROPE
German foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia, Jordan
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to hold talks in Riyadh and Amman on Thursday as part of her Middle East tour to discuss efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Scholz opens IFA consumer electronics trade fair
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to attend opening gala of IFA 2024, world's largest consumer and electronics show.
EURASIA
Putin to attend plenary session of Eastern Economic Forum
The Eastern Economic Forum, which began on Tuesday, continues in Vladivostok, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivering keynote speeches, as well as Vice President of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng in attendance.
Armenia to consider regulation on joint border delimitation with Azerbaijan
The Armenian authorities intend to ratify the provisions governing the joint work of the delimitation commissions with Azerbaijan.
Russian-Ukrainian troops continue fighting in Kursk region
Russia and Ukraine forces fighting in the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an incursion on August 5-6. Ukraine claims to have captured 100 settlements since then, including Sudzha town.
According to Russian authorities, 31 people have died, 143 have been injured, and over 133,000 have been evacuated since Kyiv's incursion began.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the West's ban on strikes deep into Russian territory prompted him to launch the attack, with the goal of establishing a "buffer zone."
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the incursion as a "terrorist attack."
TÜRKİYE
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will pay an official visit to North Macedonia.
AFRICA
DR Congo to receive 1st batch of mpox vaccines
The Democratic Republic of the Congo to receive its first delivery of mpox vaccine doses that will help curb the spread of the viral infection. DR Congo is the epicenter of the outbreak of the mpox that has been declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Inaugural Africa Urban Forum kicks off in Ethiopia
Ethiopia hosts the Inaugural Africa Urban Forum 2024, a continental platform promoting a sustainable development in African human settlements. The two-day event will include round-tables, plenary sessions, panel of discussions, and exhibitions.
African leaders hold bilateral talks on sidelines of FOCAC 2024 summit
Heads of state and government attending the three-day summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing are expected to hold bilateral talks with fellow African leaders on the sidelines of the summit. They are also expected to ink several deals with Chinese firms in the security, technology, agriculture and transport sectors.
ASIA – PACIFIC
Xi addresses 9th China-Africa cooperation forum in Beijing
President Xi Jinping addresses the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) attended by leaders and officials from 53 African nations.
Bangladesh launches operation to recover looted arms
Bangladeshi authorities launch an operation to recover looted weapons from deadly anti-government demonstrations that led to the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government.
Japanese, Australian top diplomats meet in Canberra
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and her Australian counterpart Penny Wong hold bilateral talks in Canberra.
Indonesia extradites ex-mayor of Philippines town
Indonesia is expected to deport a former Filipino town mayor Alice Guo, who is sought in the Philippines. She is facing several charges and allegations including concealing her Chinese nationality in an election.
Pakistani court expected to announce verdict on bail to ex-Premier Khan’s wife
A court in Islamabad is expected to announce its verdict on bail application of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi. She is already on bail in other cases.
US launches inaugural dialogue on policing with Pacific islands
The US and the Pacific islands hold their inaugural dialogue on policing. US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Assistant Secretary Todd D Robinson meets with regional officials in Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital, to launch the US-Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) Dialogue.
Pope Francis’ Asia trip continues
Pope Francis continues his 12-day trip to Asia with engagements in Indonesia, where he will participate in an interfaith dialogue.
SPORTS
2024-25 UEFA Nations League to begin
The 2024-25 UEFA Nations League's league phase to kick off as Portugal to meet Croatia in Lisbon, and reigning champions Spain to visit Serbia in Belgrade.
SPECIAL REPORTS
UK’s Israel arms decision ‘falls way short’ and ‘sets a very dangerous precedent’: Expert
By Burak Bir
London – Interview with Oliver Feeley-Sprague, director of Amnesty UK’s Military, Security and Police Program, about the UK’s decision to suspend some arms exports licenses to Israel.
Feeley-Sprague emphasizes that the Labour government’s move “falls way short” in terms of its scope and impact, particularly because of the limited number of licenses suspended and the exemption of key elements such as F-35 jet parts.
He warns that the exemption “sets a very dangerous precedent” that could be misused in any future decisions, and stresses the need for more action from the global community with regards to weapons supplies to Israel.
First since WWII: Why did far-right AfD win Germany election?
By Muhammed Enes Calli
Istanbul – Report on the reasons for the growing strength of the far right in Germany, specifically in the context of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s election win in the eastern state of Thuringia.
The story focuses on the reasons for the ascension of the AfD and other far-right forces over recent years, as well as the implications for German politics and the wider European region.
It includes an interview with Rafael Loss, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interview with Oliver Feeley-Sprague, director of Amnesty UK’s Military, Security and Police Program, who criticizes the limited scope of the Labour government’s partial arms halt to Israel and explains why the exemption of F-35 jet parts could prove to be a ‘very dangerous precedent.’