ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Gaza ceasefire, hostage swap deal
Developments in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The phase, which includes a hostage/prisoner exchange, started on Jan. 19 and will end on Saturday.
On Monday, Hamas announced that Palestinian resistance factions will not engage in further negotiations regarding the deal until Israel fully implements the commitments of the first phase.
The group accused Israel of intentionally stalling the deal, citing its failure to implement the humanitarian protocol and delay in releasing detainees from the seventh prisoner-exchange batch.
Israel was scheduled to let go of 620 prisoners on Saturday in return for six captives freed by Hamas in the seventh batch. However, the Israeli government delayed the releases, citing what it called “humiliating hostage handovers.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen outlined four conditions for entering the second phase of the agreement: the release of all Israeli captives, the removal of Hamas from Gaza, the disarmament of the enclave, and Israeli security control over the Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed the beginning of talks for phase two, which was set to occur on Feb. 3.
Humanitarian and security situation in Gaza amid ceasefire
Humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip as Israel continues to violate the ceasefire.
On Monday, Palestinian medics and rescue teams retrieved five more bodies from the rubble in the Gaza Strip, pushing the overall death toll from Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023 to 48,346, the Health Ministry said.
Several Palestinian homes caught fire after Israeli drones and tanks opened fire toward central Rafah.
Israeli raids in the 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. The escalation coincides with illegal Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and their properties.
Israeli army soldiers with bulldozers entered Burqin, southwest of Jenin, on Monday and destroyed several facilities and infrastructure, according to witnesses.
The Israeli army also sent military reinforcements into Qabatiya town, where several shops were destroyed and homes searched.
It also deployed tanks in the Jenin refugee camp on Sunday, in the first such move since 2002.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that the army will remain in Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank for the next year to prevent Palestinian residents from returning.
Last month, the Israeli army launched a military offensive on the northern West Bank, which resulted in at least 60 fatalities and thousands of displacements.
Israel has killed at least 923 people in the occupied territory since October 2023 and injured nearly 7,000 others, with more than 14,300 taken into custody.
Reactions to Netanyahu's remarks on keeping control over Mt. Hermon, Syrian buffer zone
Reactions to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments that the Israeli army will continue occupying Syrian Mt. Hermon and buffer zone areas for an indefinite period and will not allow 'new regime' forces to enter the area.
He added that Israel will demand the disarmament of the Syrian army in southern Syria and will not "tolerate any threat to the Druze community."
On Monday, Syrians staged protests in Quneitra, Suweyda, and Daraa provinces against Netanyahu’s remarks.
Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster said that “as part of Israel’s entrenchment in Syria, the security establishment has recently begun efforts to bring Syrian workers to Israeli towns in the Golan Heights.”
There was no immediate official comment from Syrian authorities on the Israeli report.
Syrian National Dialogue Conference after Assad's fall
The last day of the two-day Syrian National Dialogue Conference following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
The event kicked off on Monday, bringing together hundreds of Syrians from various provinces, along with representatives of civil society organizations, religious leaders, and researchers.
According to the preparatory committee’s program, Tuesday’s agenda will include an inaugural speech followed by six workshops covering transitional justice, constitutional reform, institutional rebuilding, personal freedoms, humanitarian issues, the role of civil society organizations, and economic principles.
According to a preparatory committee spokesperson, Hasan al-Daghim, the event could be extended.
Military and humanitarian situation in war-torn Sudan
The security and humanitarian situation in the northern African country after the Sudanese army in recent days has made military gains against paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in key areas and states.
On Monday, the Sudanese army captured the Soba town, east of the capital Khartoum. The Sudan Shield Forces, a group allied with the army, said its forces had seized control of the area.
The army also confirmed in a statement that its forces had seized the strategic Soba Bridge on the Blue Nile and Soba town after clashes with RSF fighters.
2025 Makkah Halal Forum in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will host the second edition of the Makkah Halal Forum 2025 on Tuesday, with broad international participation.
Organized by the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, the forum will be held under the theme “Sustainable Development Through Halal” from Feb. 25 to 27 at the Makkah Chamber's conference and exhibition center, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The forum will bring together leading global experts and specialists in the halal sector.
The forum will also host international exhibitions with over 150 exhibitors from 15 countries.
German party groups to discuss coalition possibilities
Political party leaders are preparing for coalition talks following Sunday's election. German conservative leader Friedrich Merz, whose Christian Democrats won the vote, announced plans to begin talks for a coalition government with the Social Democrats by next week.
Merz aims to form a coalition government before the Easter holiday (April 20-21). His Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) secured 28.5% of votes in the general election — leading all parties but lacking the absolute majority required to govern independently.
The Social Democrats, despite receiving their lowest historical vote share of 16.4%, have emerged as a viable coalition partner. Together, the two parties would hold 328 seats in the Bundestag, surpassing the 316-seat majority threshold.
UN Human Rights Council meeting
During the second day of the UN Human Rights Council’s high-level segment, representatives from Belgium, Ukraine, Ireland, the Red Cross, and the Council of Europe will address.
UN briefing in Geneva
The UN Information Service will hold its biweekly briefing for journalists in Geneva.
Pope's treatment in Rome hospital
Pope Francis's current health status, as his treatment for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis continues at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
On Monday, the Vatican issued a brief statement saying that "the night went well; the Pope slept and is resting." In a previous statement on Saturday, the Vatican stated that the Pope's condition was "critical" after suffering a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis."
UN biodiversity conference begins in Rome
The UN Biodiversity Conference, which was halted earlier this year in Cali, Colombia, will resume on February 25–27 in Rome, Italy, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Parties are going to discuss the establishment of a global biodiversity financing instrument with the goal of effectively mobilizing and distributing funding.
Türkiye-Turkmenistan talks
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will receive Turkmenistan parliament Speaker Dunyaguzel Gulmanova.
Separately, the Turkish parliament speaker will meet with Gulmanova to discuss bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation. The speakers are expected to hold a news conference.
Türkiye-Jordan talks
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will receive Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues.
Türkiye and Jordan are in close contact to end the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip. Recently, Turkish officials, including Erdogan, said a plan to relocate Palestinians to Egypt, Jordan, or any other third country is "unacceptable."
Russian top diplomat to visit Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit Tehran. He is expected to meet with his Iranian counterpart Sayyid Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials to discuss issues of bilateral ties and regional and global affairs.
Kyrgyz prime minister to pay visit to Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev will make his first official visit to Kazakhstan since his appointment. During his trip, he will meet with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and his counterpart, Olzhas Bektenov, to discuss bilateral cooperation.
As part of the visit, Kasymaliyev will also tour key facilities, including the National Space Center "Kazakhstan Garysh Sapary" and the Digital Government office of Kazakhstan.
Trump to sign executive orders at White House
President Donald Trump will sign a series of executive orders at the White House. His remarks on key issues such as Ukraine and the Middle East, among others, during the signing are expected.
US defense chief visits Guantanamo Bay
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will visit the US military base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, where some undocumented migrants have been held as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on irregular migrants. Hegseth will tour the “Migrant Operations Center and the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson's press conference
House Speaker Mike Johnson will lead a press conference alongside Republican leaders following their meeting.
US House committee to hear 'Emerging global threats'
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability's Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs holds a hearing titled Emerging Global Threats: Putting America’s National Security First.
Trial of man who fatally stabbed Palestinian-American boy in Chicago
Statements in the trial of Joseph Czuba, who fatally stabbed a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy, Wadee Alfayoumi, and injured his mother in a hate crime attack in Chicago on Oct. 14, 2023, over the Hamas attack on Israel. Prosecutors claim Czuba took his anger out on the Muslim and the Palestinian family. On Monday, 12 jurors and three alternates were chosen.
UN Security Council to discuss Middle East
The UN Security Council will hold a briefing and closed consultations on the Middle East, including Palestine. Sigrid Kaag, interim special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, will brief alongside civil society representatives Daniel Levy, president of the US/Middle East Project, and Noa Argamani, a former Israeli hostage held in Gaza.
M23 rebels continue their advances in eastern DR Congo
M23 rebels are now reportedly advancing toward Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a city less than 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Burundi’s economic capital, Bujumbura. The rebel group captured the city of Bukavu earlier this month after seizing Goma in January. At least 7,000 people were killed amid the ongoing conflict between the M23 rebels and Congolese forces, according to authorities in the Central African country.
Meanwhille, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has urged the US to purchase strategic raw materials directly from Congo, calling it the "true owner" of the resources, rather than Rwanda. The US last week announced economic sanctions against Rwanda's Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe due to Kigali's alleged support for M23. Rwandan President Paul Kagame discussed the ongoing crisis Saturday with the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy, while Congolese President Tshisekedi has sought military assistance from Chad.
New Zealand's top diplomat visits China
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters pays a 3-day official visit to China until Feb. 27. Peters and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi are to hold bilateral talks in Beijing.
New Zealand Premier Luxon visits Vietnam
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pays an official visit to Vietnam. Luxon and host Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to hold bilateral talks in Hanoi. Later, Luxon will attend the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum 2025.
Impeachment trial of South Korean president moves closer to final hearing
The South Korean Constitutional Court is set to hold the final hearing of the impeachment motion against imprisoned President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is accused of abuse of power and insurrection as well as blocking attempts by police to arrest him.
Chinese Foreign Ministry to hold briefing
China’s Foreign Ministry will hold a briefing in Beijing. The ministry is expected to deliver statements on China-Russia relations, the Ukraine war, and US tariffs.
THE ECONOMY
German GDP
Germany's Destatis will release GDP figures for the last quarter of 2024. The country's economy has narrowed by 0.2% in the previous quarter. A similar rate is expected for the fourth quarter.
US House prices
US will release the house prices index for December 2024. Prices went up by 4.2% in November.
G20 international trade
The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development will release international trade figures between G20 countries.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Israel’s assault on West Bank: Prelude to annexation?
Report on Israel’s plans for the West Bank following its ongoing military offensive in the Jenin refugee camp and other areas of the occupied Palestinian territory.
The story analyzes Israel’s long-term military presence in the West Bank and whether its escalating assault signals a broader strategy of isolation and annexation. It explores the forced displacement of Palestinians from refugee camps and how this aligns with Israel’s objective of annexing the West Bank.
The report features insights from Muhannad Ayyash, a Palestinian academic at Mount Royal University in Canada, Palestinian scholar Abdaljawad Omar, and writer and activist Kamel Hawwash.
Trump risks ‘WTO violations’ by escalating EU trade tensions, warns expert
Report on the renewed trade tensions between the US and EU as President Donald Trump reimposes tariffs on European steel and aluminum, eliminating exemptions and increasing levies to 25%.
The story explores the economic and political ramifications of these measures, including potential EU retaliation and the likelihood of a new trade war. It also examines the strain on the World Trade Organization’s dispute resolution system, growing shifts toward regional trade alliances, and the implications for developing economies reliant on stable steel and aluminum markets.
The report includes an interview with Faustin Luanga, a veteran economist who worked for the WTO Secretariat for nearly three decades, providing a broader perspective on the trade tensions and their geopolitical consequences.
Tombs and traditions: How Istanbul’s cemeteries weave together Türkiye’s largest city
Report on Istanbul’s cemeteries, focusing on how the plethora of burial sites across the city reflect its rich cultural and historical heritage.
The story explores how Istanbul’s Muslim, Greek Orthodox, and Jewish cemeteries serve as lasting testaments to the city’s diverse communities. It also examines the architectural and symbolic elements of gravestones, the evolution of burial practices, and how urban expansion has brought cemeteries into the heart of the metropolis.
The report includes interviews with author and researcher Fatih Cavus, Greek Orthodox clergyman Gedeon Varytimos, and Jewish cemetery director Natan Siliki.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO — Report on Istanbul’s cemeteries and how they reflect the Turkish metropolis’ cultural and historical heritage, with insights from researcher Fatih Cavus, Greek Orthodox clergyman Gedeon Varytimos, and Jewish cemetery director Natan Siliki.