Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, March 2, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal

Latest developments as the first phase of Gaza ceasefire agreement, which started on Jan. 19, ended on Saturday.

Negotiations for the second phase were scheduled to begin on Feb. 3, the 16th day of the agreement's first phase. However, Israel has not yet initiated negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, a Hamas spokesperson told Anadolu on Saturday.

The movement reaffirmed its willingness to cooperate with any initiative aimed at countering attempts to displace Palestinians and reconstruct the Gaza Strip, provided that Palestinian rights remain untouched.

It also stressed the completion of the remaining phases of the ceasefire deal and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza.

In a video clip released by Al-Qassam Brigades on Saturday, an Israeli hostage called on his family and the Israeli public to continue protesting until Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signs the second phase of the prisoner exchange agreement and secures their release.

Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza amid ceasefire

Humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire.

Palestinian medics and rescue teams recovered 23 more bodies from the rubble in the Gaza Strip, pushing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 48,388, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.

Israeli raids in West Bank

Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank with the army deploying tanks in the northern parts of the territory for the first time in over two decades.

On the first day of the holy month of Ramadan on Saturday, the Israeli army raided several Palestinian areas in the West Bank, shooting and injuring three children with live bullets and brutalizing a disabled man.

The Israeli army has killed 16 Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of 2025, despite them “posing no real threat to the soldiers,” the Defense for Children International told Anadolu.

Israel has killed at least 927 people in the occupied territory since October 2023 and injured nearly 7,000 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.

Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan

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

On Saturday, the Sudanese army launched heavy artillery strikes on RSF positions in Khartoum, East Nile area, and north of El-Obeid, following intensified clashes around the presidential palace in the heart of the capital.

Summit of European leaders in London

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to host a summit of European leaders to brief partners and allies about his meeting with US President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine and international security issues. During the summit, leaders are expected to discuss potential peace negotiations to end the Ukraine war and strengthen cooperation among European allies to address security challenges.

Türkiye to attend Ukraine meeting

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend the meeting on Ukraine hosted by the UK in London.

Regional elections in Hamburg

Nearly 1.3 million voters in the northern German city-state of Hamburg will cast their ballots to elect the new Hamburg parliament. The latest surveys show that outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) is leading with 33%, followed by the center-right Christian Democrats at 18%, and the Greens at 17%. SPD's lead candidate Peter Tschentscher, the incumbent premier of Hamburg, is widely seen as the favorite to win the elections, but he will need a coalition partner to ensure an absolute majority in the state parliament.

Pope's treatment in Rome hospital

Latest updates on Pope Francis's health condition as he undergoes treatment at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican released a statement on Saturday stating that the pontiff "slept well" after suffering a bronchospasm and given mechanical ventilation on Friday. The 88-year-old has been at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14 and is being treated for pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.

Russia-Ukraine conflict

Russia and Ukraine continue fighting in Russia’s border region of Kursk, where Kyiv began an incursion in August, and in eastern Ukraine, where Moscow continues to claim advances on multiple fronts. Developments on recent Russia-US contacts and the US-Ukraine tension, as well as other related events and comments.

Indian minister visits Bahamas

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita will start his three-day official visit to Bahamas to last until March 4. Discussions on bilateral relations expected.

Princess Astrid of the Kingdom of Belgium visits India

Belgium’s Princess Astrid is set to pay an official visit to India from March 2 to 8. She is set to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the foreign minister.