By Rabia Ali
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including gunfire on a humanitarian convoy in Gaza, deployment of Israeli forces in ‘heart of Gaza City’, and Arab, OIC summits this weekend in Saudi Arabia.
TOP STORIES
- Red Cross convoy targeted in Gaza
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Tuesday its humanitarian convoy was hit by gunfire in Gaza City.
The ICRC “is deeply troubled that its humanitarian convoy in Gaza City came under fire on Tuesday,” the organization said in a statement.
The convoy of five trucks and two ICRC vehicles was carrying lifesaving medical supplies to health facilities, including to the Al-Quds Hospital of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, when it was hit.
Two trucks were damaged and a driver was wounded. The statement did not specify the source of the gunfire.
- Israel deploys army ‘in heart of Gaza City’
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday that army forces are deployed “in the heart of the Gaza City” amid an ongoing military offensive in the Palestinian territory.
“The ground forces attacked from all directions with complete coordination with naval and ground forces. They are tightening the stranglehold around Gaza,” Gallant said in a televised address.
In another televised statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday there will be no cease-fire or fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip unless hostages held by Hamas are released.
- Saudi Arabia to host Arab, OIC summits to discuss Gaza conflict
Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it will host two summits for Arab and Islamic leaders to discuss the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
A statement by the Saudi Foreign Ministry said an Arab summit will be held in Riyadh on Saturday and another for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states on Sunday to discuss the Gaza conflict and its humanitarian repercussions.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry also announced the postponement of an Arab-African summit, which was scheduled for Nov. 12.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The US said Tuesday it does not support a "reoccupation" of the Gaza Strip by Israel after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would take "overall security responsibility" in the territory.
- At least 40,000 people have been killed, injured or gone missing in Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. Around 10,328 people, including 4,237 children, have been killed.
- Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah exchanged cross-border fire on Tuesday amid a visit by US envoy Amos Hochstein to Beirut. Around 20 rockets were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel, said a Israeli military statement.
- The current catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip to worsen further, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic warned on Tuesday, urging the need for a cease-fire.
- The US House of Representatives voted Tuesday to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib due to her criticism of Israel. The resolution, accuses Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American member of Congress, of promoting ‘false narratives’ regarding the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
- Türkiye on Tuesday carried out air operations against targets in the Gara and Qandil regions of northern Iraq to eliminate PKK terrorists, according to the country's National Defense Ministry. A total of 12 targets were destroyed.
- The head of the World Health Organization on Tuesday urged all parties in Gaza to agree to a humanitarian cease-fire as "intense bombardment" in the blockaded Palestinian enclave continues into a second month.
- Türkiye on Tuesday expressed regret over Russia formally pulling out of a major treaty limiting the deployment of military armor across Europe.
- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi called for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip during a meeting on Tuesday with CIA Director William Burns, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.
- King Charles III on Tuesday attended his first State Opening of UK Parliament as sovereign to announce the government's plans for the next few months, delivering the first King's Speech in more than 70 years.
SPORTS
- AC Milan seal comeback 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain
AC Milan secured a comeback 2-1 win against Paris Saint-Germain in week four of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Milan Skriniar netted a header in the ninth minute.
After three minutes, Rafael Leao scored an overhead kick to level AC Milan with the Parisians. Later, Olivier Giroud produced a header goal to give the Italians the lead.
- Eduardo Camavinga signs new deal with Real Madrid
Real Madrid confirmed Tuesday that Eduardo Camavinga inked a new contract with the club until June 30, 2029, it said in a statement.
Camavinga, 20, joined Real Madrid from Stade Rennais in 2021 and won the 2022 UEFA Champions League title, the 2023 Club World Cup and the 2023 UEFA Super Cup.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Türkiye not to discuss energy projects with Israel without a cease-fire: Minister
Türkiye will not discuss any energy-related projects with Israel without a cease-fire in Gaza, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told a private TV channel.
Referring to possible energy-related projects between Türkiye and Israel following Israel’s attacks on Gaza, the minister said that it would be disrespectful to its Palestinian brothers and sisters who are experiencing great brutality.
- Israel’s foreign reserves fall by $7.3B in October amid Gaza war
Israel's foreign reserves have dropped by $7.3 billion in October amid the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
In a Tuesday statement, the Bank of Israel said the country’s foreign reserves reached $191.2 billion in October, down from $198.55 billion in September.
Israel’s reserves are now at their lowest level in a year.