Rabia Ali
07 December 2023•Update: 07 December 2023
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Thursday, including the catastrophic conditions in Gaza hospitals, the invoking of Article 99 by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Türkiye’s stern warning to Israel.
TOP STORIES
The capacity of Al-Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza City has exceeded its capacity due to the large number of injured people transferred to the facility, a Health Ministry spokesman said in a statement on Wednesday, appealing for international support and protection against Israel's intensified bombardment.
The patients are bleeding to death, Dr. Ashraf al-Qudra said on X.
Meanwhile, a total of 800,000 Palestinians in the northern part of the Gaza Strip are currently without health coverage, the ministry said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter for the first time since he took the post in 2017.
In a letter, he warned the Security Council that the war in the Gaza Strip "may aggravate existing threats to international peace and security."
"More than eight weeks of hostilities in Gaza and Israel have created appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Tel Aviv of a “heavy price” amid reports of Israeli plot to assassinate Hamas members living outside Palestine.
“If they dare take such a step against Türkiye and Turkish people, they will be doomed to a pay a price which they cannot recover from,” Erdogan told journalists Tuesday when asked about a Wall Street Journal article which claimed Israel plans to kill Hamas members living outside Palestine.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Israel will push Lebanese group Hezbollah beyond the Litani River in southern Lebanon, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed on Wednesday, adding this could be achieved through international political arrangements or through military action.
The US has supplied Israel with over 10,000 tons of military equipment since the start of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, the Israeli Defense Ministry said Wednesday, as the 200th cargo plane carrying military equipment for the army arrived in Israel.
The US Congress should take steps on selling F-16s and upgrade kits simultaneously with Türkiye, so all sides can take the remaining steps needed at the same time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday on Sweden's NATO accession bid.
The Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, welcomed 68 new members from various parties on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.
SPORTS
Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 in an English Premier League week 15 match on Wednesday.
Manchester United are sixth with 27 points while Chelsea are in the number 10 spot with 19 points.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Manchester City were shocked by Aston Villa 1-0.
Leon Bailey's goal in the 74th minute brought a surprising victory to the hosts.
Italian side Virtus Segafredo Bologna defeated Spanish club Barcelona 80-75 in a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Round 12 game on Wednesday.
Danish guard Iffe Lundberg led his team to victory with 21 points at Virtus Segafredo Arena.
Spanish center Willy Hernangomez dropped 15 points for Barca.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
The Bank of Canada on Wednesday kept interest rates unchanged, and said it continues its policy of quantitative tightening.
The target for the overnight rate was maintained at 5%, with the bank rate at 5.25% and the deposit rate at 5%.
"The global economy continues to slow and inflation has eased further," the central bank said in a statement.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Wednesday projected that the airline industry will generate record-high revenues of $964 billion in 2024, a rise of 7.4% year-on-year.
The industry's net profits are expected to be $25.7 billion in 2024, up from $23.3 billion in 2023.
Air passenger traffic is projected to hit a historic high of 4.7 billion people next year, exceeding the pre-virus level of 4.5 billion.
