ANKARA (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
MENA
Israeli aggression against Lebanon
The latest developments in the ongoing massive Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon amid border clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
On Saturday, Lebanon's official news agency reported that at least 25 people were killed and 127 injured during a series of Israeli bombardments of Beirut's southern suburbs and areas of eastern and southern Lebanon.
In a related incident, the news agency added that four Israeli missiles struck the Burj al-Barajneh area in Beirut’s southern suburb.
Separately, it said an Israeli drone carried out a guided missile strike targeting a mosque adjacent to the Salah Ghandour hospital in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon.
Later, the Israeli army admitted that it targeted the mosque, claiming that Hezbollah members were present and using it as an operations base.
The Army Radio said 30 rockets were identified crossing from Lebanon towards the northern Israeli area of Upper Galilei and Karmiel settlement, triggering sirens. The majority were intercepted.
Earlier, the army said following the sirens activated in Emek Yizrael and Wadi Ara, approximately five rockets were launched from Lebanon.
Initial assessments indicate that the rockets targeted the Ramat David Airbase, a strategic military facility located southeast of Haifa in the Emek Yizrael region, according to Israeli media.
Hezbollah, for its part, said the resistance group fired rockets at the Ata military industry near the city of Sakhnin in northern Israel.
The group added that it fired rockets at the Ma'ale Golani military base in northern Israel.
A large rocket barrage was also launched against Israeli soldier positions in the Dan settlement's woods in Upper Galilee, northern Israel.
The Israeli army admitted that 38 soldiers were injured in the last 24 hours amid Hezbollah's claims of killing and wounding Israeli soldiers attempting to advance into Lebanese territories.
In a significant development, Israeli media claimed that the Israeli army is gearing up for a large-scale military response against Iran following Tehran conducted a massive missile attack earlier this week in response to the assassinations of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders
As of Saturday evening, the number of casualties from the Israeli offensive on Lebanon since Sept. 23 has reached over 1,180 dead and 3,318 injured, according to Anadolu’s monitoring of Lebanese authorities’ data.
The total number of Lebanese deaths since the start of military confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah on Oct. 8 reached 2,036, with nearly 10,000 others injured, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
Israeli forces' continued genocide in Gaza
Despite a decrease in the number of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip as the occupying forces focus their military offensive on the Hezbollah group in Lebanon, the Israeli military continues to carry out airstrikes and shelling across the besieged enclave, killing more than 41,800 Palestinians and injuring over 96,900 others.
The humanitarian situation for Palestinians is worsening daily as a result of ongoing attacks and a suffocating siege that is preventing aid from entering Gaza.
On Saturday, Israeli media reported that Israel is moving to expand the Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern Gaza from the south following an evacuation order by the Israeli army targeting central Gaza, specifically residents of the Al-Bureij and Al-Nuseirat refugee camps.
Channel 12 said Israeli forces are preparing for potential Palestinian attempts to breach the corridor or stage attacks on the area around the first anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, when the Gaza war began.
At least 12 Palestinians, including three children, were killed and several others injured in three Israeli airstrikes targeting a home, a tent sheltering displaced people in central Gaza, and a group of civilians in northern Gaza.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank have killed at least 742 people since October of last year, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,200 others, with nearly 11,000 taken into custody.
On Saturday, six Palestinian farmers were injured when illegal Israeli settlers attacked them while they were harvesting olives on their land between Al-Lubban and Rantis villages.
Red Sea tensions
Red Sea tensions and the possible exchange of attacks between Israel and the Yemeni Houthi group.
Following an Israeli airstrike on Hudaydah port last week, the Houthis said they had taken precautionary measures and that Tel Aviv's strikes would not deter them from attacking shipping routes and Israel.
Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
Humanitarian and security conditions continue to deteriorate in Sudan amid clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The Sudanese Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that the country recorded 11 deaths and 551 new cholera cases in recent hours.
The ministry indicated that the total number of reported cholera cases in Sudan since August has risen to 20,398, including 597 fatalities.
Asia-Pacific
Al-Aqsa ‘million march’ in Pakistan
The Al Aqsa "million march" will take place in Karachi, the commercial capital, ahead of the first anniversary of the genocide in Gaza.
Opposition continues protests in Pakistan
The main opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, continues to protest for their leader's release across the country amid the suspension of internet services and police crackdown on party stalwarts.
Maldives president arrives in India on 1st state visit
President Mohamed Muizzu will go on a state visit to India from October 6 to 10. During his visit, Muizzu plans to meet with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior officials.
South Korean president visits Philippines
President Yoon Suk Yeol will embark on a two-day official visit to the Philippines on Sunday. Yoon will meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties, which mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Indian poet refuses award by USAID over Palestine
Jacinta Kerketta, 41, has refused to accept an award for her children's collection. The award is sponsored by USAID, and the poet declined in solidarity with Palestine.
EURASIA
Kazakhstan holds referendum on construction of nuclear power plant
Kazakhstan will hold a nationwide vote on the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant.
Russian, Ukrainian troops continue to fight in Kursk, Donetsk
Russia and Ukraine are still fighting in the border region of Kursk, where Kyiv launched an incursion on August 6, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues to claim advances on multiple fronts.
Africa
African countries prepare to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon
Nigeria and Kenya are preparing to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies. Many Africans live in Lebanon and study or work in various fields.
Uganda's army chief threatens to expel US envoy
The US ambassador to Uganda may be expelled if he does not apologize to President Yoweri Musenevi by Monday, Defense Forces chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has warned. He accused the envoy of disrespecting the president and trying to undermine the country's Constitution.
SPORTS
Mid-table Manchester United to travel to Birmingham’s Villa Park for the English Premier League match against Aston Villa.
Aston Villa are 5th with 13 points, ahead of 14th place Manchester United, who collected 7 points.
Spanish La Liga
Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona, which have seven wins and one defeat in the league, will face Deportivo Alaves in an away match at Mendizorroza.
Barcelona are top of Spanish La Liga with 21 points. Alaves are 11th with 10 points.
A longtime Barcelona goalkeeper, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from Germany, will be ineligible for a major injury in his knee. Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, Barcelona’s new signing, is expected to play in this match.
German Bundesliga
Bayern Munich to play away match against Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park stadium.
Bayern Munich are top of the table with 13 points, 1 point ahead of second-place Eintracht Frankfurt.
SPECIAL REPORTS
1 year of Gaza genocide: ‘Element of decay’ and signs of strain in Israeli society
By Rabia Ali
Istanbul – Report on how Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza has affected its own people and society, fueling radicalization and stretching the social fabric.
The story explores the various changes that Israeli society has undergone over the past year on all levels, with increasing polarization, violence and political instability. It also highlights Israel’s military and economic losses, and the effects of its increasingly negative global image.
The report includes interviews with former Israeli government adviser and political commentator Daniel Levy, former Israeli negotiator Gershon Baskin, and Israeli writer and activist Miko Peled.
1 year of Gaza genocide: ‘Media’s role is complicit with that of the Israeli state’
By Dilara Hamit
Istanbul – Interview with Assal Rad, a historian specializing in Middle Eastern affairs, about Western media coverage of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.
Rad, a vocal critic of what she describes as biased and misleading coverage, explains how the media’s role over the past year opens it to complicity Israel’s devastating war.
She also speaks about the various recurring issues in Western media’s reporting, including dehumanizing language for Palestinians, explicit pro-Israel bias and regurgitation of Israeli talking points.
1 year of Gaza genocide: The varied forms of destruction inflicted by Israel
By Muhammed Enes Calli
Istanbul – Report about the different ways in which Israel’s ongoing war has destroyed the Gaza Strip and the lives of its millions of Palestinian residents.
The report details the various forms of destruction that Israeli forces have carried out since last October, and how this could fall under categories such as genocide, domicide, ecocide, educide or scholasticide, and the cultural genocide of Palestinian society.
It includes latest figures and comparative data, as well as information from various international organizations and rights group working on the Israel-Palestine issue.
1 year of Gaza genocide: Israel wants to occupy Gaza and empty it of Palestinians, warns Greek academic
By Ahmet Gencturk
Athens – Interview with Fotini Tsibiridou, a historian and political scientist at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, about Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.
The academic speaks about the idea of the Palestinian resistance as a pillar of modern decolonization, the imperialist origins and actions of Israel, and the wider implications of its inflammatory moves.
Tsibiridou also discusses the issue of Western support to Israel despite its atrocities in Gaza, explaining how Israel and its actions represent an extension of Western colonialism in the Middle East.
1 year of Gaza genocide: Kenya’s support to Israel sparks divisions and debate
By Andrew Wasike
Nairobi – Report exploring why Kenya has a pro-Israel position and the potential future trajectory of their ties.
The story dives into the historical reasons that led to Israel’s influence in Kenya, while presenting an overview of how Nairobi has support Israel over the past year, and the divisions with the country over its stance
It includes interviews with political analysts Herman Manyora and Esther Mwai, along with various local citizens and activists.
1 year of genocide: ‘I believed I had seen the worst, then I went to Gaza’
By Leila Nezirevic
London – Interview with Dr. John Kahler, a retired pediatrician and co-founder of MedGlobal, who was in Gaza during Israel’s ongoing war on the Palestinian enclave.
Kahler speaks about his experiences on the ground and narrates the harrowing scenes he witnessed as Israeli bombs and missiles devastated Gaza.
He calls for greater international efforts to get in desperately needed humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, as well as for a lasting cease-fire and an end to the war.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO – Interviews with former Israeli government adviser Daniel Levy, ex-Israeli negotiator Gershon Baskin, and Israeli writer and activist Miko Peled about how Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza has affected its own society.
VIDEO – Report on Western media coverage of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, including an interview with historian Assal Rad, a vocal critic of mainstream media’s role in enabling Israel’s actions over the past year.
VIDEO – Interview with historian and political scientist Fotini Tsibiridou about Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, focusing on aspects such as international complicity, decolonization, and the historical burden of Western imperialism.
VIDEO – Interview with Dr. John Kahler, co-founder of MedGlobal,
about his experiences on the ground in Gaza, the current humanitarian situation, and his assessment of the future of the devastated Palestinian enclave.