ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday, including the UN agency’s remarks about the hunger crisis in Gaza, a phone call between Turkish President Erdogan and US counterpart Biden, and EU awarding candidate status to Georgia, agreeing membership talks with other countries.

TOP STORIES

• ‘Hunger is something people in Gaza have never ever known before,’ says UN agency chief

The chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Thursday that hunger is something people in Gaza have never ever known before.

“…Hunger has now emerged over the last few weeks and we meet more and more people who haven’t eaten for one, two or three days," UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated at a press conference in Geneva after his recent visit to Gaza.

He said people are stopping aid trucks, taking the food, and eating it right away, showing how desperate and hungry they are.

• US has 'historic responsibility' to ensure cease-fire in Gaza, says Turkish President Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday told his US counterpart that it is America's "historical responsibility" to ensure a permanent cease-fire in Gaza as soon as possible.

President Erdogan and Joe Biden in a phone call discussed Israel's attacks on Palestinian territories, as well as Sweden's NATO bid, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said.

He called for an end to Israel’s attacks on Gaza, warning that they could have "negative regional and global consequences."

He underlined Türkiye’s suggestion of a guarantor mechanism to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.

• EU grants candidate status to Georgia, agrees membership talks with Ukraine, Moldova

European Council on Thursday paved the way for the expansion of the 27-member bloc, announcing the commencement of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

"The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and it granted candidate status to Georgia," said Charles Michel, president of the European, on X.

"And the EU will open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached and has invited the commission to report by March with a view to taking such a decision."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• A top US government aide is expected to sit down with the Palestinian president on Friday, said a senior Biden administration official, adding that they expect to have a very good conversation with the Palestinian Authority.

• US President Joe Biden urged Israel on Thursday to take greater care to protect civilians in Gaza amid reports that Washington wants the Israeli army to scale back its ground war in the enclave.

• UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Thursday said he found the Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely’s remarks in an interview about ruling out a two-state solution, "disappointing."

• Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli on Thursday slammed Israeli soldiers who performed Jewish rituals inside a mosque in the West Bank city of Jenin, saying that it strongly condemns the provocations of Israeli soldiers who disrespected the sanctity of a place of worship.

• Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in a meeting with his meeting with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Thursday that dismantling Hamas "will take more than a few months."

• The Israeli army dropped leaflets over the Gaza Strip on Thursday offering financial rewards for information leading to the capture of top leaders of the Palestinian group Hamas.

• UNESCO demands probe into killing of Anadolu freelance cameraman in Gaza, adding that the protection of journalists is a requirement under international law, said Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that Ankara is pleased with the ongoing peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, adding that the opportunity for peace has grown significantly and is now unavoidable.

• Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video of soldiers performing Jewish rituals inside a mosque in the West Bank city of Jenin, sparking global condemnation.

• Türkiye’s first space traveler Col. Alper Gezeravci is set to blast off in January, who during a 2-week mission on the International Space Station will take part in 13 different experiments.

• Hasan Bitmez, a Turkish lawmaker passed away on Thursday, days after fainting during his speech on Gaza in parliament.

• The Palestinian telecommunications company, (PalTel), said Thursday that communication and internet services in the Gaza Strip have been again completely cut.

SPORTS

• Fenerbahce hammer Spartak Trnava 4-0 to pass Conference League group stage

Fenerbahce hammered Spartak Trnava 4-0 and passed the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage on Thursday.

Ferdi Kadioglu amade it 1-0. Tadic's penalty kick got into the net after hitting Trnava goalie Dominik Takac.

Dzeko completed his shot, which came back from the Trnava post and was hit towards the goal by Kadioglu.

Dzeko placed another classy low shot to Trnava goal and netted the hosts' fourth goal.

• At least 85 Palestinian athletes killed in Israeli attacks since Oct.7

At least 85 Palestinian athletes were killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and West Bank between Oct. 7 and Dec. 6, according to a report by the Palestinian Football Association.

According to the report, the casualties included 55 football players and 30 players in other sports.

It said Israeli occupation forces targeted Palestinian athletes and sports facilities, especially football players, as well as club presidents, administrators and referees.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• ECB keeps interest rates constant

The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept its policy interest rates unchanged in its December meeting by saying the inflation is expected to fall gradually next year.

The bank decided to keep unchanged the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility at 4.50%, 4.75% and 4.00%, respectively, on Thursday.

• Reserves at Turkish Central Bank hit historic new high

The Turkish Central Bank's official reserve assets hit a new record high as of Dec. 8, according to weekly figures released on Thursday.

Gross reserves totaled $141.4 billion last Friday, rising from the previous week's all-time high of $140.2 billion, the bank’s international reserves and foreign currency liquidity report showed.