Massive earthquake strikes northwestern Turkey, leaving at least 14,000 and as many as 40,000 dead, over 33,000 injured. Greece, Israel, the U.S. are among the countries who send teams to aid in the rescue effort. (ATL 8/17 in WNC 8/18; MM 9/18; NYT, WP, WT 8/18+n23; Athens News Agency 8/18 in WNC 8/19; MEI 8/20; NYT 8/28; MEI 9/3, 9/17)
Israel Defense Force (IDF) approves policy change that will allow military courts to try Palestinian children as young as 12 years as adults for stone-throwing incidents, even if it is a 1st offense. (LAW 8/18)
In retaliation for the assassination of a Hizballah cmdr. on 8/16, Hizballah clashes with the IDF in s. Lebanon, killing 2 IDF soldiers, wounding 7. (MM 8/17; RL, VOL 8/17 in WNC 8/18; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 8/18; MEI 8/20)