UPDATES WITH TURKISH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN'S VISIT TO NEW YORK
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Israel-Hezbollah escalation
The situation between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah group continues to escalate reaching a dangerous level that could ignite an all-out war between them.
Israel’s airstrike on Beirut's southern suburb claimed lives of nine people, according to local media.
Citing a senior Israeli official, Army Radio said the target of the attack was Ibrahim Aqil, a top Hezbollah military commander, without providing more details.
Following the Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut, Israeli army said it detected the launch of 20 rockets from Lebanon toward northern Israel's Upper Galilee area.
The new Israeli attack came shortly after the mass explosions of wireless communication devices in various areas of Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, killing a total of 37 people – including several children – and injuring 3,250 when pagers and walkie-talkies exploded, Health Minister Firas Abiad said.
Israeli onslaught on Gaza
Humanitarian and military developments in Gaza, where Israel has killed nearly 41,300 Palestinians and injured over 95,550 since incursion last Oct. 7 by Palestinian group Hamas. Situation is deteriorating as Israeli attacks continue and aid grows more scarce in besieged enclave.
On Friday, at least 15 Palestinians, including several women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting the central and northern Gaza Strip.
Another Israeli airstrike on Friday evening on a home in northern Rafah city, the southern Gaza Strip, left 6 Palestinians killed, according to the Civil Defense.
Separately, seven Palestinians were killed and several others injured Thursday midnight when an Israeli warplane targeted a house in Gaza City.
West Bank raids
Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in occupied West Bank since last October have killed at least 716 people, including 160 children, and injured 5,750 others, with over 10,800 taken into custody.
On Friday, the Israeli forces stormed several neighborhoods in Qalandiya and its refugee camp, conducting searches of Palestinian homes, and inciting confrontations with dozens of local residents.
Illegal Israeli settlers seized a large number of sheep belonging to Palestinians in the southern occupied West Bank on Thursday night.
Red Sea tensions
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. There are reports of possible Israeli retaliation against Houthi missile attacks on central Israel.
Cease-fire talks between Israel, Hamas
Latest on Israel-Hamas talks on possible cease-fire in Gaza and hostage swap.
Tel Aviv submitted on Thursday a new proposal to Washington for a prisoner exchange and ending the war in Gaza, according to the official Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
The proposal stipulates releasing all the Israeli hostages in one batch, and securing the "safe exit" of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, releasing Palestinian prisoners, and disarming the Strip.
While there was no immediate comment from the mediators or Hamas, the movement has previously confirmed repeatedly that it does not want new proposals and that it agrees to the proposal announced by US President Joe Biden plan at the end of May.
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.
Families of Israeli hostages have criticized a proposal for a "safe exit" put forward by Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for prisoners and missing persons, to the US government aimed at negotiating a hostage exchange with the Palestinian group Hamas.
A statement on behalf of the families said: “Hirsch has once again chosen to engage in a cynical and costly manipulation at the expense of the hostages, their families, and the people of Israel.”
Deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Sudan
Humanitarian and security situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate amid clashes between army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Turkish president to head to New York
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to hold news conference before leaving for New York.
Protest against UK arms sales to Israel
Thousands to hold rally outside the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, calling for the government to suspend all arms sales to Israel.
Central Europe floods
Monitoring situation in Poland and Hungary where severe flooding forced thousands of people to flee their homes.
Millions vote to elect president in Sri Lanka
Millions of voters to elect president in Sri Lanka. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe is among 38 candidates running for the top office.
Taiwanese hold mock drills in face of disasters
People in Taiwan hold mock drills to meet any emergency due to disasters, including earthquakes. It commemorates Sept. 21 as National Disaster Prevention Day since 2000, one year after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake killed more than 2,400 people on the nation.
Opposition party to hold mass rally in Pakistan
Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to hold mass public rally in northeastern city of Lahore to demand release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
SPORTS
Fenerbahce vs. Galatasaray in Turkish top-tier football league derby
Fenerbahce to meet archrivals Galatasaray in Turkish top-flight football division Super Lig derby at their home ground Ulker Stadium. Galatasaray are leaders after winning all their five matches in the league. Second-place Fenerbahce are two points behind Galatasaray. One of the fiery derbies in the globe will start at 1700GMT.
Real Madrid to host Espanyol in Spanish league match
Defending Spanish champions Real Madrid to host mid-table Espanyol at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Third-place Real Madrid have 11 points in LaLiga led by bitter rivals Barcelona, which have 15 points in five matches.
English title contenders Liverpool to meet Bournemouth at home
English Premier League title contenders Liverpool to play against Bournemouth in home match. Liverpool have nine points in four matches to be fourth after Newcastle United and Arsenal, which have 10 points each in the league table. Manchester City are the leaders with 12 points.
Bayern Munich to visit Werder Bremen in German Bundesliga
German Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, which have nine points in standings, to visit eighth-place Werder Bremen at Weser-Stadion.