October 20, 2023

This is TRT World’s Daily News Brief for Friday, October 20th. *) Israel targets Gaza church At least two women have been killed and many other civilians wounded in an Israeli attack on Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church in besieged Gaza, the Palestinian news agency WAFA said. Palestinian Interior Ministry reported multiple casualties, calling it a "new massacre". The ministry said several displaced people had taken shelter at the church compound when Israeli warplanes targeted it. The strike left a "large number of martyrs and injured" at the compound, the ministry said. *) Israeli defence minister tells troops to prepare for ground assault in Gaza Israel’s defence minister has told ground troops to be ready to enter Gaza, though he did not say when the invasion will start. In a meeting with Israeli infantry soldiers on the Gaza border on Thursday, Yoav Gallant urged the forces to "get organised, be ready" for an order to move in. Whoever sees Gaza from afar now will see it from the inside," he said. "I promise you." Shortly after Gallant's statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a video of himself with troops near the border promising victory. *) US Muslim group faces death threats over event to highlight Gaza crisis A major US Muslim civil rights group planning to highlight rampant human rights violations of Palestinians by Israel is moving its annual event out of a Virginia hotel after anonymous threats to bomb the venue. “We strongly condemn the extreme and disgusting threats against our organisation, the Marriott hotel and its staff," CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad, who is Palestinian American, said in a statement. *) Turkish league matches to start with minute's silence in solidarity with Palestine The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has announced that a moment of silence for Palestine will be held before this week's league matches. The federation also said the players will appear on the field wearing black armbands. The war in Gaza, which has been und