Day: March 15, 2024

Twenty-one migrants including five children drowned after a boat capsized off the Turkish coast, local officials said on Friday. The victims' nationalities were not yet known. Officials said two people were rescued by the Turkish coastguard and another two managed to make it out of the water on their own. The boat capsized off Turkey's largest island, called Gokceada or Imbros, which is located in the Aegean Sea off the coast of the northwestern province of Canakkale. 'Security teams found the bodies of 21 people including five children,' the local governor's office said in a statement. The search and rescue operation was backed by one plane, two helicopters, one drone, 18 boats and 502 personnel, it added. Turkey is hosting nearly four million refugees, mostly Syrians. Ankara struck a deal with the European Union in 2016 to curb the influx of refugees trying to reach the EU in return for financial assistance and other incentives. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

The following statement was issued by the "Islamic Resistance" in Lebanon: "In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in solidarity with their brave and honorable resistance, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted the Israeli enemy's Marj site with artillery weapons at 1:15 pm on Friday, March 15, 2024, and inflicted a direct hit." In another statement, the "Resistance" announced, "Our fighters targeted the Malikiyah site with rocket weapons at 2:05 pm on Friday, March 15, 2024, and inflicted a direct hit." Source: National news agency - Lebanon

Time Topic 6:00 pm Iftar for social care institutions - Islamic Orphanage - at the Iqlim Al-Kharoub's Care and Development Complex - Froun - Ketermaya. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

Time Topic 10:00 am Symbolic march in Al-Mukhtara, organized by the Progressive Socialist Party marking the 47th anniversary of Kamal Jumblatt's martyrdom, to place a wreath on his tomb. 4:00 pm The "Free Patriotic Movement" hosts a dialogue session titled "From Generation to Generation - Gen to Gen," bringing together FPM leader MP Gebran Bassil, youth, and former members of the movement, at Habtoor Hotel - Sin El Fil. 4:00 pm Launch of the Maronite National Conference, organized by the Development Association of Maad - Family University, in collaboration with the Maronite League, Maronites United for Lebanon, and the Permanent Christian Conference, under the patronage of Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, at Majestic Byblos Grand Hotel, Jbeil. 6:00 pm Iftar for social care institutions - Islamic Orphanage - Chouf District, for men, at the hall of Chouf District Care and Development Complex - Froun - Ketermaya. Source: National news agency - Lebanon

In a recent escalation of tensions, Israeli aircraft on Friday carried out a series of attacks in southern Lebanon. The airstrikes targeted areas near the town of Ayta al-Shaab, with one strike completely destroying a three-story house on the outskirts of Alma al-Shaab village. Additionally, another airstrike hit Ras al-Naqoura, while a third targeted the region between Alma al-Shaab and Naqoura. Meanwhile, counter-artillery shelling was reported in Hamamis hills and the vicinity of Wazzani. Source: National news agency - Lebanon