9 hours ago The world braces for Trump, hoping for the best, unprepared for the worst

His pick for secretary of state may have given measured assessment of world affairs, but ‘crazy’ Trump will call the shotsWestern allies of the US are braced for the return of Donald Trump, still hoping for the best, but largely unprepared for what may prove to be a chaotic and disorientating worst.The run-up to his inauguration has sent out a catherine wheel of signals as Trump turned up the volume on tariffs against Canada, China and Mexico, vowed to buy – and if not, invade – Greenland and the Panama canal, and used his leverage to press Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a Gaza ceasefire that the Israeli PM had resisted since May. Continue reading...

Politics

7 hours ago First three hostages back in Israel after being released by Hamas as part of Gaza ceasefire deal

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher released by Hamas and have crossed border into IsraelHamas releases first three hostages after ceasefire dealAnalysis: Will the ceasefire deal hold?How will the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal work?Israeli tanks continued to shell areas in Gaza as the scheduled time of 8.30am (0630 GMT) for the ceasefire to take effect passed, Reuters reports.Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a brief televised address on Sunday that the political echelon had directed the military to delay implementation and that it retained freedom to continue attacks in the Gaza Strip as long as the ceasefire had not taken effect. Continue reading...

Economics

87 minutes ago Palestinian families celebrate after prisoners released by Israel as part of Gaza ceasefire deal

Prisoners speak of their joy as they are greeted by thousands of people in occupied West Bank despite Israeli attempts to prevent ‘public displays of joy’Gaza ceasefire - live updatesAbout 90 Palestinian prisoners have been released in exchange for three Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas to Israel, as part of the ceasefire deal aimed at ending 15 months of war.The prisoners, most of whom were freed in the early hours of Monday from Ofer prison in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, were welcomed by thousands of people celebrating, waving the flags of Palestine and Hamas. Continue reading...

Events

6 hours ago 'One of TV's best shows' is finally arriving to Netflix – but there's a catch

Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner, is set to arrive on Netflix UK soon - but viewers in the US will have to wait a little longer due to pre-existing licensing agreements

Culture

9 hours ago Full list of hostages Hamas is freeing including British captive Emily Damari as Israel

On Sunday, Hamas confirmed the names of the first three hostages to be set free, including Damari, 28,  Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24.

Politics

11 hours ago First three hostages back in Israel, IDF says, after being released by Hamas as part of Gaza ceasefire deal

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher released by Hamas and have crossed border into IsraelHamas releases first three hostages after ceasefire dealAnalysis: Will the ceasefire deal hold?How will the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal work?Israeli tanks continued to shell areas in Gaza as the scheduled time of 8.30am (0630 GMT) for the ceasefire to take effect passed, Reuters reports.Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a brief televised address on Sunday that the political echelon had directed the military to delay implementation and that it retained freedom to continue attacks in the Gaza Strip as long as the ceasefire had not taken effect. Continue reading...

Economics

5 hours ago Ninety Palestinians released as part of Gaza ceasefire deal, Israeli prison service says

Three Israeli hostages, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher, were released by Hamas earlier on SundayHamas releases first three hostages after ceasefire dealAnalysis: Will the ceasefire deal hold?How will the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal work?Israeli tanks continued to shell areas in Gaza as the scheduled time of 8.30am (0630 GMT) for the ceasefire to take effect passed, Reuters reports.Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a brief televised address on Sunday that the political echelon had directed the military to delay implementation and that it retained freedom to continue attacks in the Gaza Strip as long as the ceasefire had not taken effect. Continue reading...

Events

10 hours ago STEPHEN POLLARD: The release of the Israeli hostages is a moment to celebrate, but the Gaza conflict is far from over. Now Trump must tackle Iran's poisonous role

Nothing better illustrates why the Gaza ceasefire deal is so tenuous than the sickening scenes today.

Politics

16 hours ago The three female hostages Hamas says it will release first under the ceasefire deal

A British-Israeli citizen, a Nova festivalgoer and a veterinary nurse are the three women to be freedIsrael-Gaza war – live updatesA ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has taken effect, pausing a 15-month war that has brought devastation and political change to the Middle East.As part of the deal, three Israeli hostages are due to be released later on Sunday, named by Hamas as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. Continue reading...

Economics

7 hours ago First pictures as Brit hostage Emily Damari is reunited with her mother under Gaza ceasefire deal

The 28-year-old has been released alongside Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher

Events

20 hours ago His good guy feminist stance makes Neil Gaiman’s fall from grace all the more ignoble | Catherine Bennett

Allegations of sexual misconduct are proving hard for fans and friends of the ‘geek royalty’ author to process Perhaps uniquely in the history of #MeToo, the women now alleging sexual misconduct on the part of the fantasy writer Neil Gaiman would appear to have their alleged perpetrator’s full support. Back when this movement seemed full of potential, in 2018, Gaiman urged the public to believe women like Christine Blasey Ford, whose allegations of sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh were then being trashed.“On a day like today it’s worth saying,” Gaiman wrote. “I believe survivors. Men must not close our eyes and minds to what happens to women in this world.” Continue reading...

Politics

8 hours ago As Hamas hands over hostages including Brit Emily Damari we look at life as a Hamas Hostage

As the ceasefire starts in Gaza and the first hostages - including Brit Emily Damari - are freed, we take a look at a day in the life of a Hamas hostage

Events

20 hours ago As a writer, Neil Gaiman is a serial fantasist. That, it seems, also applies to his feminism | Catherine Bennett

Allegations of sexual misconduct are proving hard for fans and friends of the ‘geek royalty’ author to process Perhaps uniquely in the history of #MeToo, the women now alleging sexual misconduct on the part of the fantasy writer Neil Gaiman would appear to have their alleged perpetrator’s full support. Back when this movement seemed full of potential, in 2018, Gaiman urged the public to believe women like Christine Blasey Ford, whose allegations of sexual assault by Brett Kavanaugh were then being trashed.“On a day like today it’s worth saying,” Gaiman wrote. “I believe survivors. Men must not close our eyes and minds to what happens to women in this world.”Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a letter of up to 250 words to be considered for publication, email it to us at observer.letters@observer.co.uk Continue reading...

Politics

8 hours ago British hostage in Gaza freed by Hamas after 15 months in captivity as Israel ceasefire begins

Emily Damari is one of three women freed by Hamas, the first of 33 hostages due to be freed under ther terms of the ceasefire - after 15 months of war that has levelled Gaza

Events

9 hours ago First picture as Brit hostage Emily Damari is reunited with her mother under Gaza ceasefire deal

The 28-year-old has been released alongside Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher

Events

9 hours ago First image of British hostage reunited with her mother after Gaza ceasefire

A Red Cross convoy has been handed three hostages including British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28 - along with Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher - who have been set free from captivity in Gaza

Events

9 hours ago The heinous crimes of Hamas's Palestinian prisoners now set to be freed as part of the Israel

Convicted murderers serving multiple life sentences are among those who could be freed as part of a landmark ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Events

11 hours ago ‘Glimmer of hope in a cycle of death’: Families in Gaza pray ceasefire brings an end to devastation

Palestinians react to long-awaited ceasefire with mixture of joy and trepidation after 15 months of strikes on the Gaza Strip

Events

11 hours ago ‘Glimmer of light in a cycle of death’: Families in Gaza pray ceasefire brings an end to devastation

Palestinians react to long-awaited ceasefire with mixture of joy and trepidation after 15 months of strikes on the Gaza Strip

Events

12 hours ago Gaza ceasefire: Brit Emily Damari among three Israeli hostages released by Hamas

Hamas has now handed it's first three hostages to the Red Cross, as part of the first phase of its ceasefire agreement with Israel - including British-Israeli Emily Damari

Events

14 hours ago Ceasefire comes into force as Israel awaits return of hostages and displaced people come to terms with devastation in Gaza – live

Hamas says it will free Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher after Israel delayed start of ceasefireFull story: Gaza ceasefire begins after delayHow will the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal work?Israeli tanks continued to shell areas in Gaza as the scheduled time of 8.30am (0630 GMT) for the ceasefire to take effect passed, Reuters reports.Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a brief televised address on Sunday that the political echelon had directed the military to delay implementation and that it retained freedom to continue attacks in the Gaza Strip as long as the ceasefire had not taken effect. Continue reading...

Events

14 hours ago A year of war in Gaza: A timeline of key moments as ceasefire deal agreed

Fifteen months after Israel vowed to wipe Hamas ‘off the face of the earth’ following the 7 October attack, a ceasefire has been reached

Events

15 hours ago Palestinians trek across rubble to return to their homes as Gaza ceasefire takes hold

Even before the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was fully in place, Palestinians in the war-battered Gaza Strip began to return to the remains of the homes they had evacuated during the 15-month war

Events

16 hours ago Who are the 33 Israeli hostages set to be released under first phase of Gaza ceasefire?

Hamas will gradually release 33 Israeli hostages during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, starting on Sunday

Events

16 hours ago ‘Should we grieve, rejoice or cry?’: Palestinians in Gaza react to ceasefire

Celebrations break out across the territory but many are worried ceasefire will break down and war will resumeIsrael-Gaza war – latest updatesPalestinians in Gaza celebrated the ceasefire that came into effect at 9.15am GMT on Sunday, describing “the most beautiful joy in the world” after 15 months of devastating war that has killed tens of thousands there and laid waste to swaths of the territory.“I feel very beautiful. We hope that God will complete this joy and that we return to our homes and lands safely. This is the most beautiful joy in the world, thank God,” said Moaz Qirqiz, 46. Continue reading...

Events

16 hours ago Gaza ceasefire begins as British woman among three Israeli hostages to be released

Long-awaited truce has begun after last minute tensions between Israel and Hamas, clearing the way for hostages to be released after 15 months of captivity

Events

17 hours ago Gaza ceasefire finally begins after three hours of delay and Israeli strikes

Truce in effect as Hamas names hostages to be freed: Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31Israel-Gaza war – live updatesHow will the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal work?The long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has finally come into effect, behind schedule by almost three hours, during which Israeli forces continued to strike Gaza, blaming the militant group’s failure to release the names of the hostages due to be released on Sunday.The ceasefire finally started at 9.15am GMT, after Hamas posted the names of the three hostages on its social media channels. Continue reading...

Events

18 hours ago Gaza ceasefire begins as Hamas names British woman among three Israeli hostages to be released

Long-awaited truce on knife edge, worrying families of hostages and civilians in Gaza

Events