Diary

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

Following developments in phase one of Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The phase, which includes a hostage-prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and is set to last for 42 days.

On Saturday, Hamas' military wing the Al-Qassam Brigades and Islamic Jihad's military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, released three Israeli captives in eastern Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

In exchange, Israel released 369 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, including 36 serving life sentences and 333 others detained from the Gaza Strip after Oct. 7, 2023.

Separately, Hamas agreed not to participate in the administration of the Gaza Strip in the upcoming period, Egyptian media reported on Saturday.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza amid ceasefire

Two Palestinians were injured on Saturday when an Israeli drone targeted a bulldozer that was clearing debris after Israel's offensive in central Gaza.

The Arab League on Saturday described the pace of aid entering the Gaza Strip as "unacceptable both humanely and morally," calling on the international community to pressure Israel to allow more aid into the enclave.

Palestinian medics and rescue teams retrieved 25 more bodies from rubble in the Gaza Strip, pushing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 48,264, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.

Israeli raids in the West Bank

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, especially in Jenin, accompanied by illegal settler violence against Palestinians and their property.

A Palestinian child was injured on Saturday by Israeli army gunfire in the town of Tel, southwest of Nablus, in the northern occupied West Bank.

On Jan. 21, the Israeli army launched a military offensive on the northern West Bank, which resulted in 55 fatalities as of Friday evening, according to official Palestinian data.

Israel has killed at least 911 people in the occupied territory since October 2023 and injured over 6,700 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Developments in Syria under new administration

Following the latest developments and updates in Syria under the post-Assad administration.

Syria’s foreign minister reiterated on Saturday the importance of lifting sanctions on his country to help secure stability.

Asked about Russian military bases on Syrian soil, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said: “Reshaping relations with Russia would be the decision of the people. If we have the greenlight from people, we will take action on that.”

Israeli violations of Lebanon ceasefire

Israel's violations of November's Lebanon ceasefire deal after extension in deadline for troop withdrawal until Feb. 18.

On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a car with a guided missile in the Al-Tuffah region of southern Lebanon, setting the car on fire.

Since the agreement went into effect, Israel has committed nearly 930 violations of it, resulting in 73 deaths and 265 injuries, according to a count by Anadolu based on official Lebanese data.

Sudan’s foreign minister to visit Iran

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf to begin visit to Tehran on Sunday.

During the visit, Yusuf will meet with Iranian officials to discuss relations between the two countries.

Military situation in war-torn Sudan

The security situation in the northern African country as the Sudanese army has gained against Rapid Support Forces (RSF) forces in key areas and states in recent days.

The Sudanese army advanced in areas east of the Nile, as the battles intensified in the city center between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, along with clashes between the two sides in the White Nile and South Kordofan states.

Following all topics through translation from Arabic wire, official accounts, and relevant websites in addition to giving breakings on related possible important developments.

Munich Security Conference – Day 3

Major international security conference including world leaders and foreign and defense ministers. Speakers on final day of conference include Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrun Mjoll, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, North Macedonia Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

German elections - Televised debate including Chancellor Scholz and CDU’s Merz

SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz and CDU candidate Friedrich Merz to take part in debate co-hosted by RTL and n-tv, with Greens candidate Robert Habeck and AfD candidate Alice Weidel also invited to take part.

Indonesia hosts 5th multilateral naval exercise Komodo

Indonesia hosts 5th multilateral naval exercise Komodo (MNEK) in Bali through Feb. 22. The joint exercise includes navies from 38 countries, including Türkiye. Other events to include officer exchange forum, bilateral meetings between naval forces, an international maritime security symposium, a defense exhibition, and cultural parades in Bali.

Political crisis in South Korea over failed martial law bid

Monitoring political crisis in South Korea over failed martial law bid. Local court this week is expected to begin hearing criminal case against imprisoned President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon has already been indicted for insurrection and abuse of power over Dec. 3 martial law declaration.

North Korea marks birthday of country's late ruler

North Korea marks birthday of Kim Jong Il, country's ruler who died in 2011. Ahead of event, North Korea reopened its touristic border city of Rason near China after it was closed in 2020 at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2-day African Union summit to conclude with possible joint statement

Two-day African Union summit in Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to conclude with expected joint statement on conflicts in Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Palestine issue.

Situation escalates in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo amid M23 rebel offensive

Monitoring latest situation in conflict-hit eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as M23 rebels gain ground in South Kivu province. Felix Tshisekedi, Congo’s president, seeks "countermeasures" against Rwanda for escalation in border region of eastern Congo. Since Jan. 26, more than 3,000 people have been killed, 2,880 injured, and over half a million displaced, adding to the 6.4 million already internally displaced, according to the UN.

Comoros to hold 2nd round of legislative, municipal elections

Indian Ocean nation of Comoros to hold second round of legislative elections, alongside municipal elections. The eastern African archipelago, with a population of about 900,000, held the first round on Jan. 12. Around 330,000 people cast their ballots, with the ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) securing 29 out of 33 seats in parliament, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).