Morning Briefing: Nov. 25, 2023

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Saturday, including the death of several Palestinians in an Israeli attack on a school, commencement of a humanitarian pause in Gaza and violent clashes between Israel and Lebanon.

TOP STORIES

• Fuel trucks start entering Gaza from Egypt as humanitarian pause takes effect

As the pause tool effect in Gaza, trucks carrying much-needed fuel began to enter the Palestinian enclave from Egypt in a first since Israel imposed a strict blockade early last month.

UN agencies in the Gaza Strip, particularly the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency, or UNRWA, have received only very small quantities of fuel, crucial for their continued operation, since Israel's relentless attacks began Oct. 7 and its siege reduced humanitarian supplies to a trickle.

• Israel ‘commits war crime’ by cutting off basic needs of Gazans: Turkish President Erdogan

Israel also prevents residents in Gaza from being heard as it severs communications services, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan accused Israel of “committing war crimes” in Gaza by preventing access to electricity, water and food to residents in the besieged enclave.

"Israel, which commits a war crime by cutting off electricity, water and food, is trying to prevent the oppression of the people in Gaza from being heard by cutting off their communication with the outside," Erdogan said in a video message sent to the International Strategic Communication (Stratcom)​​​​​​​ Summit in Istanbul.

• Türkiye urges West to ‘distance itself from Israeli war crimes’

"Any conditional or unconditional support to Israel is a blank check for killing of more Palestinians," said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

“Western world should distance itself from Israel’s war crimes. Any conditional or unconditional support to Israel is a blank check for the killing of more Palestinians,” Fidan told the International Strategic Communication (Stratcom) Summit in Istanbul.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye means 'safe haven' to take shelter during difficult times, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.

• The Israeli army destroyed much of the vital utilities and structures of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza before leaving the compound after 10 days of occupation.

• Irish police arrested 34 people following riots on Dublin's streets that began with the stabbing of five people, including three children and a woman, law enforcement confirmed.

• The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) voiced concern about the ongoing exchange of fire between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.

• A UN official said disinformation is being employed to undermine the credibility of public institutions, thus its peacekeeping operations are attacked.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) said it does not have information regarding the status of four remaining health care personnel in the Gaza Strip, which includes the director of the Al-Shifa Hospital.

• Turkish security forces carried out air operations in northern Iraq, destroying 17 terror targets and “neutralizing” many terrorists, according to the Turkish National Defense Ministry.

• US President Joe Biden said "chances are real" to extend the humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip

• A total of 134 Palestinians returned to the Gaza Strip from Egypt on the first day of a humanitarian pause between Hamas and Israel, according to Egyptian authorities.

• The EU welcomed the initiation of a humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas.

SPORTS

• Anadolu Efes topple Partizan 100-94 coming back from 10-point deficit in 4th quarter

Anadolu Efes fought to beat Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game in Istanbul after coming back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter.

The Turkish basketball powerhouse were 10 points behind by the end of the third quarter at home at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall.

• PSG thrash Monaco 5-2 in French league

Paris Saint-Germain cement lead in French Ligue 1 after large win against 3rd-place Monaco

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won a seven-goal thriller against Monaco by 5-2 in Friday's French Ligue 1 match as club football returned after an international break.

In the 17th minute, PSG scored the opening goal at Paris' Parc des Princes.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Istanbul hosting World Halal Summit, Halal Expo

Major gatherings see participation of 500 prominent companies from 45 countries, projected to attract more than 40,000 visitors

Istanbul is hosting the 9th World Halal Summit and the 10th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Halal Expo, two major events for products and services conforming to Islamic guidelines, known as halal.

• Thousands of Greek pensioners rally in Athens to demand better pensions

Pensioners also demand better health system, abolition of municipality fees for low-income pensioners

Thousands of pensioners from all over Greece rallied in Athens to demand better pensions, among other things.