16 h. ago Israel’s Shin Bet says Netanyahu policies helped pave way for 7 October

Report by security agency says ‘policy of quiet’ towards Hamas allowed it to build up resources for 2023 attackMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, has said Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies were among the underlying causes of the 7 October 2023 attack in which Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 Israelis.In its report on the 7 October attack, Shin Bet acknowledged its own responsibility, admitting it was aware of warning signs that Hamas was planning an operation, but the agency, also known as the General Security Service (GSS), did not grasp the scale, timing and location of the planned attack. Continue reading...

Politics

21 h. ago Netanyahu tells new military chief Israel ‘determined’ to achieve victory – Middle East crisis live

Lt Gen Eyal Zamir says that mission to defeat Hamas is ‘not accomplished’ amid deadlock over ceasefire negotiationsAn Israeli rights group says Israel demolished a record number of Palestinian homes in annexed East Jerusalem last year, reports the Associated Press (AP).Ir Amim, which closely tracks settlement activity and demolitions in the city, said on Wednesday that 181 homes were destroyed last year, in addition to dozens of other structures. It said that more recently, Israel appears to have dropped a longstanding policy against demolishing homes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last weekend. It said a residential building and three apartments have been destroyed over the past week, according to the AP. Rights groups say discriminatory policies make it nearly impossible for Palestinians to expand or redevelop their neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, forcing many to build without permits. Israel also demolishes the family homes of Palestinians who carry out at...

Events

23 h. ago Arab leaders endorse Gaza rebuild scheme as alternative to Trump’s plan to ‘take over’ region – Middle East crisis live

Egyptian-devised $53bn proposal follows outrage at US president’s suggestion to force Palestinians to relocate from territoryAmnesty International said on Wednesday that Israel’s attacks on ambulances, paramedics and health facilities during its recent war with Hezbollah should be investigated as war crimes, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).A 27 November truce agreement largely halted more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, including two months of full-blown war in which Israel sent in ground troops. During the conflict, the Israeli military accused the group of using ambulances belonging to the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee for transporting fighters and weapons, accusations the group denied.Many of us have repeatedly raised objections over the continued sale of F-35 components. We have repeatedly asked for the truth regarding the role of British military bases. And we have repeatedly requested the publication of legal advice behind the govern...

Politics

39 h. ago Arab leaders endorse $53bn plan to rebuild Gaza as alternative to Trump idea

Proposal focuses on emergency relief and long-term economic development under Palestinian Authority administrationArab leaders have endorsed a $53bn (£42bn) plan to rebuild Gaza under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority (PA), in a rushed attempt to present an alternative to Donald Trump’s idea for a property development-style plan, which involved a relocation of the Palestinian population that has been widely criticised as effectively endorsing ethnic cleansing.The prospect of the PA governing Gaza remains far from certain, however, with Israel having ruled out any future role for the body, and Trump having closed the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) liaison office in Washington during his first term while stepping up support for Israel. Continue reading...

Politics

42 h. ago Arab leaders consider Egypt’s plans to clear rubble and bombs and rebuild Gaza Strip – Middle East crisis live

Egypt proposes reconstruction of territory to create ‘sustainable, green and walkable’ housing and urban areas An Arab summit draft communique on Tuesday adopted an Egyptian plan for Gaza’s future and called on the international community and financial institutions to provide support for the plan quickly.Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP Tuesday that disarming is a red line for his movement and other Palestinian militant groups in negotiations to extend the fragile Gaza ceasefire. Continue reading...

Events

44 h. ago Disarming ‘a red line’ amid Gaza truce impasse, says Hamas leader – Middle East crisis live

‘Weapons are a red line for Hamas and all factions’, says Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri after Israeli minister calls for ‘full demilitarisation’ of GazaAn Arab summit draft communique on Tuesday adopted an Egyptian plan for Gaza’s future and called on the international community and financial institutions to provide support for the plan quickly.Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP Tuesday that disarming is a red line for his movement and other Palestinian militant groups in negotiations to extend the fragile Gaza ceasefire. Continue reading...

Politics

45 h. ago Arab leaders meet to discuss alternative to Donald Trump’s plan to redevelop Gaza – Middle East crisis live

Arab League summit to discuss alternatives to US president’s proposal to assume control of Gaza and displace Palestinian populationHamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP Tuesday that disarming is a red line for his movement and other Palestinian militant groups in negotiations to extend the fragile Gaza ceasefire.“Any talk about the resistance’s weapons is nonsense. The resistance’s weapons are a red line for Hamas and all resistance factions,” Abu Zuhri said shortly after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar demanded the “full demilitarisation” of Gaza to proceed to the second stage of the January truce. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago Arab leaders meet to discuss Donald Trump’s plan to redevelop Gaza – Middle East crisis live

Arab League summit to discuss US president’s proposal to assume control of Gaza and displace Palestinian populationIsrael’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who supports the annexation of the occupied West Bank, said on Tuesday that he was travelling to the United States for a brief visit.“The goal of this visit is to strengthen economic cooperation between Israel and the United States... and deepen the strategic alliance between our two countries,” Smotrich wrote on social media platform X. Continue reading...

Politics

2 d. ago Middle East crisis live: Israel accused of using ‘food as weapon of war’ in aid blockade on Gaza

Egypt and Qatar condemn Israel’s decision to block goods and supplies from entering Gaza, saying it violates the ceasefire dealA 70-year-old man was killed and others injured in a knife attack in the northern Israeli city of Haifa on Monday morning, medics say.“Paramedics and EMTs have pronounced the death of a man around 70 years old and are providing medical treatment to and evacuating four injured individuals”, Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service said, after the police reported the suspect was killed. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Watch live: Keir Starmer holds press conference after Ukraine crisis talks with European leaders

Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer holds a press conference on Sunday (2 March) following Ukraine crisis talks with European leaders.

Politics

3 d. ago Sir Keir Starmer press conference LIVE updates after Ukraine crisis talks

Sir Keir Starmer has hosted a summit of European leaders in London today discussing Ukraine

Events

3 d. ago Watch live as Keir Starmer gives urgent press conference after crisis talks on Ukraine

Keir Starmer will address the nation after gathering European allies in London to hammer out a way to end the war in Ukraine after Donald Trump's attack on Ukraine's Zelensky

Events

5 d. ago Pope Francis on ventilator after suffering 'breathing crisis' as Vatican announces his health has suddenly worsened: LIVE updates

MAILONLINE BLOG: Pope Francis updates as 88-year-old's time in Rome's Gemelli hospital enters its second week.

Society

9 d. ago German election shows how far green wave has receded in Europe

Result is further evidence that political conversation around the climate crisis has shiftedGerman election live – latest updatesIn the final days of an election campaign dominated by migration, the likely new chancellor of Europe’s biggest polluter sought to assure voters that its economy ministry would not be occupied by NGOs. Instead, conservative lead candidate Friedrich Merz posted on social media that it would be led by “someone who understands that economic policy is more than being a representative for heat pumps”.Climate action barely featured on the campaign trail before Germany’s federal elections on Sunday – except when right-leaning parties used it to swipe at the Greens. Merz’s jab was at the tamer end of attacks aimed at the Green party candidate, Robert Habeck, the economy and climate minister who pushed through an unpopular law to promote clean heating, but is a sign of how far the political conversation around climate action has shifted. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Netanyahu ‘preparing atmosphere’ to return to war with Gaza, says Hamas official – Middle East crisis live

Hamas official Basem Naim says Benjamin Netanyahu ‘intentionally sabotaging’ peace deal According to a report from Hebrew media outlet Ynet, Israel has told international mediators that it will release more than 600 Palestinian prisoners who were initially scheduled for release on Saturday if Hamas returns four bodies today without any ceremony. The Guardian has not confirmed this report.Israel suspended the handover of 620 Palestinians it was due to free from its prisons on Saturday, putting the ceasefire agreement in jeopardy after Benjamin Netanyahu criticised what he called “disgraceful ceremonies that dishonour our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda”.We have fulfilled all our obligations according to the deal.Unfortunately, all the time Netanyahu and his government have been trying to undermine and sabotage the deal.They have committed a lot of violations – killed more than 100 Palestinians, prevented most of the basic needs of the Palestinians to enter the...

Events

9 d. ago UN ‘gravely concerned by rising violence’ in West Bank; Gaza ceasefire in doubt as first phase nears end – Middle East crisis live

Israeli tanks in West Bank for first time in more than two decades amid tensions over ceasefire agreement with HamasThe UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has been speaking at the UN human rights council in Geneva.“I am gravely concerned by the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and other violations, as well as calls for annexation,” Guterres said, as he urged for the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel to remain intact.The ministry of foreign affairs and expatriates warns of the Israeli occupation army’s deployment of heavy tanks around Jenin, viewing it as a prelude to expanding its crimes against the Palestinian people – particularly in the northern West Bank and its refugee camps. This escalation comes as Israeli ‘defence’ minister Israel Katz boasts that the Israeli occupation army will prevent displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes and has ordered an extended military presence in the area. Israeli occupation forces have al...

Events

1 week ago Middle East crisis live: Trump envoy says US expects second phase of Israel

Comments come after Israel suspended release of 600 Palestinian detaineesHezbollah leader Naim Qassem said the group would keep following the path of slain chief Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday during a televised speech broadcast at his massive funeral on the outskirts of Beirut.“We will uphold trust and walk on this path, we will uphold your will,” Qassem said referring to Nasrallah, adding: “you are still with us: your... path and struggle live within us” and “I am loyal to the legacy Nasrallah”. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Hamas hands over six hostages but Israel delays release of 600 Palestinians

Ceasefire in jeopardy as Israel waits for meeting of security cabinet under pressure from right-wingersMiddle East crisis – live updatesHamas released six Israeli hostages on Saturday, but Israel delayed the handover of more than 600 Palestinians it was due to free from its prisons in exchange, putting the five-week-old ceasefire agreement once more in jeopardy.The government said the release would be delayed until after a scheduled meeting of the security cabinet on Saturday evening at the earliest. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Middle East crisis live: Hamas releases six hostages as Israel prepares to free hundreds of Palestinians

Hisham al-Sayed, Tal Shoham, Avera Mengistu, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov and Omer Wenkert have now been releasedA masked militant has sat down at a table on the stage with a Red Cross representative and they appear to be signing documents.Live images from Rafah are showing masked Hamas fighters taking to the makeshift stage, with one speaking into a microphone. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Middle East crisis live: Israel says body of Shiri Bibas returned as Hamas releases more hostages

Hamas has released two hostages so far today, with another four to come laterA masked militant has sat down at a table on the stage with a Red Cross representative and they appear to be signing documents.Live images from Rafah are showing masked Hamas fighters taking to the makeshift stage, with one speaking into a microphone. Continue reading...

Events