Morning Briefing: March 18, 2024

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday with, including Israel storming Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital, Vladimir Putin leading in Russia’s presidential election and Turkish President Erdogan’s criticism of international institutions over Gaza war.

TOP STORIES

• Israeli forces besiege Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza

Israeli forces are attacking Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza with tanks and heavy gunfire in a clear violation of international humanitarian law, the Palestinian Health Ministry said early Monday.

It said the army has surrounded the hospital and explosions could be heard accompanied by violent clashes between Israeli and Palestinian forces.

Warning that the attack aimed to cause the health system in the northern Gaza Strip to collapse, it said it holds Israeli forces responsible for the lives of the medical staff, patients and displaced people in the hospital.

• Putin leads Russia’s presidential election

Vladimir Putin is leading with 87% in Russia's presidential elections, according to exit poll data announced by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center.

He is followed by the Communist Party’s Nikolai Kharitonov with 4.6%, the center said.

The newly elected president will serve a term of six years.


Putin, who is projected to win based on initial results, will take the oath of office after the official announcement of results and serve as Russia's president for the fifth time.

• Turkish president says international institutions have ‘failed once again’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized international institutions and organizations over the Gaza crisis, saying that they have "failed once again."

"Let's admit that the Islamic world also did not pass the test well during this process," Erdogan said at an iftar, or fast-breaking dinner, in Istanbul.


He said the “hypocrisy" of Western countries, which provide ammunition support to Israel "to carry out massacres, has turned Gaza into the world's largest graveyard for children and women."


NEWS IN BRIEF

• The United Arab Emirates and Qatar on Sunday called for expediting the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and an immediate cease-fire

• The first aid delivery in about four months reached Gaza’s northern city of Jabalia, local sources said early Monday.

• Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said Sunday his country will not allow the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said an agreement signed Sunday between the European Union and Egypt is the best way to tackle irregular migration flows.

• Israel’s army chief of staff admitted Sunday that the military failed to prevent the surprise attack launched by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 and bears responsibility for its occurrence.

• The European Commission chief on Sunday warned that Gaza is facing famine and called for a “rapid” cease-fire in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

• Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that any forced displacement of Palestinians into Egypt is “unacceptable.”

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that the only path to peace between Israel and the Palestinians is a “negotiated two-state solution.”

• Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi discussed Israel’s war in Gaza and the tense situation in Jerusalem in a phone call Sunday with his US counterpart.

SPORTS

• Fenerbahce win at Trabzonspor marred by clashes

Fenerbahce beat rivals Trabzonspor in a Turkish Super Lig match on Sunday to cling to the title race.

The visiting side upset Trabzonspor 3-2 on matchday 30, but the players' celebrations were marred by ugly scenes as many Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch at Papara Park.

An investigation has been launched into the events that took place after the match.

• Lewandowski leads Barcelona to 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski produced a goal and two assists in his team’s 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in a La Liga week 29 match on Sunday.

Joao Felix opened the scoring in the 38th minute while Lewandowski doubled the lead in the 47th minute and Fermin Lopez made the score 3-0 in the 65th minute at the Civitas Metropolitano.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Azerbaijan's president says being called reliable partner by EU carries ‘big responsibility’

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Sunday that being called a reliable partner by the European Union is a "big advantage" and a "big responsibility" as he held talks with visiting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the capital Baku.

"The European Commission calls Azerbaijan a reliable partner and a pan-European gas supplier. This is, of course, a big advantage and also a big responsibility," Aliyev said during a press conference with Stoltenberg.

• EU pledges $8B funding package, upgraded relationship with Egypt: President al-Sisi

The EU has pledged a €7.4 billion ($8 billion) funding package and an upgraded relationship with Egypt, the country’s president said on Sunday.

“Charting a course of deeper relations between Egypt and the European Union has been coupled with a financial package of approximately 7.4 billion euros to bolster the Egyptian economy,” Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said at a joint news conference with European leaders.