ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Saturday, March 22, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Israel resumes genocidal war on Gaza
Latest developments as Israel resumed genocidal war on the Gaza Strip for the fourth day, violating the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas.
During a renewed Israeli ground invasion of Gaza, the Israeli army forces on Friday launched an assault on the western areas of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, accompanied by heavy gunfire and artillery shelling.
Three Palestinian children were killed and several others injured on Friday after an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential apartment in eastern Gaza City, according to medical sources.
More than 700 Palestinians have been killed and over 900 injured in a surprise aerial campaign by Israel on Gaza since Tuesday, shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal that took hold in January.
As the crossings' closure continues to exacerbate the living conditions in Gaza, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Friday said fewer than half of emergency vehicles run by the Palestinian Red Crescent are operational in Gaza due to fuel shortages.
Developments of Gaza ceasefire talks
The latest developments of the Gaza ceasefire talks and the exchange of accusations between Israel and Hamas on sabotaging the deal.
On Friday, Hamas reacted to the recent statements made by Israeli Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, stating that they reveal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s deliberate manipulation of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations.
Bar's comments, made Thursday, revealed that Netanyahu had blocked him from meeting with Israeli ministers throughout 2024 to keep information about the negotiations hidden from the Israeli government. Bar claimed that Netanyahu’s actions were intended to "carry out negotiations that would not lead to an agreement."
In another statement, Hamas also denied what it said a report by the daily Yedioth Ahronoth claiming the cessation of contacts or talks related to the prisoner exchange deal. It also said it is discussing with mediators US envoy Witkoff's proposal and all other suggested ideas to achieve an exchange deal.
US aggression on Yemen & Houthis' strikes against Israel
Developments in the US aggression against Yemen, as well as the Houthi military operations against Israel.
On Friday, the Houthi group said it successfully struck a military target in Israel with a hypersonic ballistic missile.
In a televised statement, the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said Yemen’s armed forces carried out a “qualitative military operation” targeting an Israeli military site in southern Jaffa, a city in central Israel, using a hypersonic ballistic missile named “Palestine 2.”
Israeli raids in West Bank
Nearly daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank especially in the northern parts of the territory.
On Friday, the Israeli forces Friday shut down the Al-Murabba'a military checkpoint, south of Nablus city, preventing citizens' vehicles from entering or exiting through it, and forcing them to turn back, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Developments in Syria under new administration
Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new post-Bashar al-Assad administration.
On Thursday evening, the first oil tanker since the ouster of Syria’s Assad regime arrived at Baniyas terminal in Tartus governorate.
Syria used to receive most of its oil supply, intended for electricity generation, from Iran, but supplies stopped following President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster last December.
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 Friday, the Sudanese army retook control of the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum for the first time since the war began with RSF nearly two years ago, a military source told Anadolu.
The source, who requested anonymity, stated that army forces successfully seized full control of the palace after expelling fighters from the paramilitary RSF group.
Memorial unveiling to honor victims of Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Russia
A memorial dedicated to the victims of the March 22, 2024 terrorist attack at Russia's Crocus City Hall will be inaugurated in front of the concert venue and the second pavilion of Crocus Expo exhibition space.
The attack occurred in the Krasnogorsk district of the Moscow region when assailants stormed the concert hall, opening fire with automatic weapons before setting the auditorium ablaze. The tragedy claimed the lives of 145 people.
Developments around Russia-US normalization and Ukrainian settlement
Developments related to the recent Russia-US, and US-Ukraine contacts and the efforts on finding a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
South Korean lawmakers likely to impeach acting president
Lawmakers from five opposition parties in South Korea are likely to impeach motion against acting President Choi Sang-mok. Choi was accused of obstructing judicial appointments and being linked to martial law attempt on Dec. 3. With only 150 votes needed to pass the impeachment in the 300-member legislature, and the opposition bloc holding more than 190 seats, the motion is expected to succeed.
Türkiye-Bosnia meeting in Istanbul
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to host the chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zeljka Cvijanovic, at the Dolmabahce Office of Turkish Presidency in Istanbul.
Afghan, Pakistani officials to hold meeting in Kabul
Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, to hold talks with interim Taliban officials in Kabul. The meeting comes amid tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over the construction of border posts by Kabul.
Sadiq to also attend the border coordination meeting.