2 hours ago UK to continue selling arms to Israel despite Lebanon ceasefire, Starmer says

Labour prime minister said Israel had right ‘to defend itself’ from attacks, including from Iran

Politics

2 hours ago The Guardian view on the Lebanon ceasefire: a lasting regional peace must go through Gaza | Editorial

The US-brokered agreement is a breakthrough for suffering civilians. But a deal on Netanyahu’s terms offers scant hope to PalestiniansUnsurprisingly, Joe Biden struck an upbeat, optimistic note on Tuesday as he announced a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. “It reminds us that peace is possible,” said Mr Biden, as the deal brought to an end the 14-month conflict, during which close to 4,000 people lost their lives and hundreds of thousands were displaced.For the outgoing American president, who has signally failed to restrain Israel’s excesses after the heinous Hamas massacre of 7 October 2023, the agreement amounts to a valedictory breakthrough after months of weak and ineffective diplomacy. More importantly, it affords the suffering ...

Events

3 hours ago ‘Thank god we are home’: Lebanese return south after ceasefire with Israel

People are relieved to be home but face having to re-build lives among destroyed homes and villagesBefore the ceasefire had even come into effect, Zeinab and Dina were already driving south. The two sisters had been forced to flee to Tripoli, northern Lebanon, for 64 days – they had counted – and they could not bear another day without seeing home.“We were laughing and crying at the same time when we heard the news of the ceasefire. We were packing our stuff and still we didn’t believe it was happening, it was like a dream,” said Zeinab Beezeh, a 28-year-old resident of the town of Zibqeen, south Lebanon. Zeinab and Dina joined the tens of thousands of Lebanese who headed south on Wednesday morning after a ceasefire came into effect, ending more than 13 months of fighting between Israel...

Politics

3 hours ago UN chief says Lebanon ceasefire ‘first ray of hope amid darkness’ in conflict – Middle East crisis live

António Guterres says it is ‘essential’ that signatories of ceasefire ‘respect it in full’Full report: Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire comes into forceDown to the final half-hour before the ceasefire comes into effect and AFP is reporting strikes on south Beirut after the Israel army’s evacuation warning.“Urgent warning to residents of the Beirut area,” army spokesperson Avichay Adraee had earlier said in a post on X, telling people in the Bachoura area in the city centre to leave, as well as “all residents in the southern suburb area”, specifically in Ghobeiry. Continue reading...

Events

7 hours ago Keir Starmer laughs off election petition after Kemi Badenoch calls for him to resign

The Labour leader kicked off Prime Minister's Questions by acknowledging the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

Politics

10 hours ago Lebanon and Israel's ceasefire: What is the deal, how long will it last and how is the US involved?

The agreement follows almost 14 months of fighting – but what are its terms and how was it arranged?

Politics

11 hours ago The ceasefire in Lebanon doesn’t ensure a lasting victory for Israel, but does signal a strategic setback for Iran | Bilal Saab

Hezbollah is still armed and has the potential to attack Israel. But more significantly it has in effect abandoned HamasNow that the dust has settled, quite literally, following the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, it is crucial to ask whether this deal will last – because, let’s face it, we’ve been here before.In 2006, Hezbollah and Israel fought viciously for more than a month for reasons not dissimilar to today’s context. By conducting a cross-border raid against Israeli troops, Hezbollah sought to alleviate some pressure on Hamas, which was battling with Israel in Gaza. The operation backfired, triggering a devastating conflict that led to the killing of roughly 1,100 Lebanese and 160 Israelis, and to massive displacement and damage to infrastructure in southern Leb...

Politics

12 hours ago 'May it be Gaza next': John Swinney and Humza Yousaf call for Israel to extend ceasefire

A ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah began in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Politics

14 hours ago Hezbollah Israel ceasefire holds in Lebanon but Netanyahu issues chilling warning

In a televised address on Tuesday, Netanyahu confirmed he would present the ceasefire deal to cabinet ministers - potentially bringing an end to the ongoing fighting in Lebanon

Events