Levant

Israel and South Africa face off at the U.N.'s top court from Thursday, after Pretoria accused Israel of "genocidal acts" in Gaza, charges the Israelis have dismissed as "blood libel".

In an 84-page submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa urged judges to order Israel to "immediately suspend its military operations" in Gaza.

As a part of efforts to keep the historical heritage of the district alive, artifacts from historical buildings destroyed by the Feb. 6 earthquakes in Antakya, Hatay are being salvaged with "rubble archaeology" to be used in restoration.

Hatay, located in Türkiye's Mediterranean region, is home to many civilizations and known for its historical texture and cultural heritage.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has launched a global donation campaign for the restoration of cultural assets damaged in the Feb. 6 earthquakes.

With a total of 352 out of 8,444 historic buildings in 11 provinces in the earthquake zone damaged or destroyed, the UNDP campaign focuses on buildings such as Hatay Archaeology Museum, Gaziantep Castle and Sarımiye Mosque.

Despite extensive searches, the contractors responsible for constructing unsafe buildings that collapsed in the deadly Feb. 6 earthquakes are still on the loose, leaving authorities empty-handed after months of investigation.

After the Feb. 6 quakes, expert reports have revealed a series of concerning findings regarding the collapsed buildings.

Rain breathes fresh life into Mileyha wetland in the southern province of Hatay, which was on the verge of extinction in the summer months due to sweltering heat, teeming with birds once again. 

Türkiye said on Saturday it was recalling its ambassador to Israel for consultations due to Israel's refusal to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Turkish foreign ministry said Şakir Özkan Torunlar was being recalled "in view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel's refusal (to accept) a ceasefire."

Nineteen days ago, the Israeli occupation committed yet another massacre, adding to the long list of massacres it has committed against the indigenous Palestinian people.

They say, "It will take as long as it takes."

An international team of experts from various disciplines will complete a project on the revitalization of the quake-hit southern province of Hatay, especially its city center, in March, with the group taking into account not only the physical aspects but also the "spirit of the city and the emotions of the earthquake survivors."

Vassilis Nedos, Kathimerini's diplomatic and defense editor, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss the latest trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, where energy cooperation was at the heart of discussions.

This included expanding their cooperation to include possibly linking Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Europe.

A group of experts from 15 disciplines has convened at an international workshop in Istanbul to discuss the revitalization of the city center of the quake-hit southern province of Hatay in accordance with its centuries-old historical roots.