02/04/2026, Thursday20:01

EDITION :

Today Sports Economy Türkiye World Columns Technology Life Video Gallery Cartoon

Turkish supporters flooded Taksim Square waving flags and celebrating after the national team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Kosovo 1-0 in the European Qualifiers play-off final on April 1. The victory secured Türkiye's place in the global tournament.Iran carried out at least 5,471 missile and drone attacks targeting US bases and critical sites in seven Arab countries since Feb. 28, according to compiled official data. The UAE was the most impacted, intercepting 414 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,914 drones.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared Friday that the post-World War II international system faces a "deep legitimacy crisis across nearly all domains," calling for renewed efforts to end tragedies and restore peace. Speaking at the Stratcom Summit in Istanbul, Erdoğan said Türkiye will maintain its principled, peace-centric stance focused on humanitarian values and justice.A foreign-flagged, Turkish-operated crude oil tanker was targeted in a drone attack in the Black Sea near Istanbul on Thursday, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said, adding that no casualties were reported among the 27 Turkish crew members. The engine room was the apparent target.Israel signalled that its military campaign against Iran and Hezbollah will continue for weeks, with thousands of targets still ahead. Officials say over 10,000 munitions have already been used, as the conflict escalates across multiple fronts. The developments come amid regional instability affecting Lebanon and the wider Middle East.

Turkish supporters flooded Taksim Square waving flags and celebrating after the national team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Kosovo 1-0 in the European Qualifiers play-off final on April 1. The victory secured Türkiye's place in the global tournament.Iran carried out at least 5,471 missile and drone attacks targeting US bases and critical sites in seven Arab countries since Feb. 28, according to compiled official data. The UAE was the most impacted, intercepting 414 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,914 drones.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared Friday that the post-World War II international system faces a "deep legitimacy crisis across nearly all domains," calling for renewed efforts to end tragedies and restore peace. Speaking at the Stratcom Summit in Istanbul, Erdoğan said Türkiye will maintain its principled, peace-centric stance focused on humanitarian values and justice.A foreign-flagged, Turkish-operated crude oil tanker was targeted in a drone attack in the Black Sea near Istanbul on Thursday, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said, adding that no casualties were reported among the 27 Turkish crew members. The engine room was the apparent target.Israel signalled that its military campaign against Iran and Hezbollah will continue for weeks, with thousands of targets still ahead. Officials say over 10,000 munitions have already been used, as the conflict escalates across multiple fronts. The developments come amid regional instability affecting Lebanon and the wider Middle East.

Advertisement

Next phase of Gaza ceasefire set for early January

Yenişafak

10:56, 26/12/2025, Friday

AA

Next phase of Gaza ceasefire set for early January

AA

A view shows displaced Palestinians living in makeshift tents amid the rubble in the Al Maghazi Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip, as families struggle to maintain daily life under harsh conditions following Israeli attacks, lacking basic necessities and facing cold weather on December 25, 2025.

American envoys have informed mediators that the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire is slated for early January, reports say. Israeli officials express concern the process may advance without guarantees on Hamas disarmament.

Washington has communicated to involved parties that the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is anticipated to commence at the start of the new year. Israeli media, citing a senior official, reported that US special envoy Steve Witkoff relayed this timeline to Israel and regional mediators.

Israeli Concerns Over Disarmament Conditions

The report, from Israel's Channel 13, indicates unease within Israeli official circles. Authorities there reportedly fear that the subsequent phase, which involves more complex and permanent arrangements, could be pushed forward by the US administration without first ensuring the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza. This condition has been a central, publicly-stated Israeli demand for any lasting agreement.

Context of the Agreement and Ongoing Tensions

The initial two-phase truce was brokered on October 9 through negotiations led by Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, under US sponsorship. However, the path to implementing the deal's later stages has been fraught. Gaza's Health Ministry reports that over 400 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, citing alleged Israeli violations and delays in progressing to the agreement's second phase, which underscores the fragility of the current calm.

Titles :ceasefire Channel 13 Donald Trump Egypt Gaza Israel Middle East Monitor Qatar report Steve Witkoff Türkiye US Washington

Comments

Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.