January 1, 2024

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Monday, January 1st. *) Israel to release some reservists as assault on Gaza grinds on Tel Aviv continues bombardment of cities, towns and refugee camps across besieged Gaza. The Israeli military said it will release some reservists who were called up to fight in Gaza, as the country prepares for a prolonged aggression on the tiny enclave. Now in its 87th day, Israel’s attacks have killed at least 21,822 Palestinians and wounded 56,451. *) Israel rings under barrage of rockets from Gaza Several rockets fired from Gaza have targeted Tel Aviv and southern Israel as the country rang in the New Year, according to journalists on the ground. Air-raid sirens sounded as Israeli missile defence systems intercept the rockets. People who had gathered on the streets to celebrate New Year’s Eve took shelter, while others continued to party. *) Five killed in attacks on Donetsk, Odessa: local authorities Meanwhile in Ukraine, five people were killed in attacks on the southern Odessa region and the eastern city of Donetsk, local authorities said. The Russian-affiliated head of Donetsk described the attack as “massive shelling from multiple launch rocket systems”. In Odessa, the local governor said one person died in a Russian drone attack and three others were wounded. *) Houthi rebels say US forces attacked three of their boats, killing 10 Houthi rebels have tried to board a Singapore-flagged cargo ship and attacked US Navy helicopters in the southern Red Sea. The Iranian-backed group have since renewed their calls for all countries to not participate in the US-led coalition against the group. They say American forces in the Red Sea are there to protect Israeli ships; but nothing will prevent them from supporting the Palestinian people in Gaza. And finally… *) Hundreds of protesters across world demand ceasefire in Gaza on NYE Hundreds of people in Jordan took to the streets, not to celebrate the New Year, but to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The demonstrators highlighted the urgent need for peace in the region, underscoring the ongoing tensions in the Middle East as the world enters 2024. A similar feeling echoed in Istanbul, Beirut and New York where thousands gathered to call for an immediate Gaza ceasefire. And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World. For more, head to trtworld.com