12 h. ago A biblical hatred is engulfing both sides in the Gaza conflict – and blinding them to reason | Jonathan Freedland

Israel starving Palestinians, two killings at a Jewish museum: both are atrocities. But vanishingly few can see itI sat this week with Hussein Agha, a man who has given his working life to seeking peace between Israelis and Palestinians, negotiating from the Palestinian side of the table. He was gloomier than I have ever seen him, adamant that peace between the two sides can never, ever come. Because, Agha explained, this conflict was not about mere lines on a map or forms of words, the goods in which diplomats trade. This was about emotions, and specifically hatreds. Hatreds that, he feared, are becoming too murderous to contain. “It’s biblical,” he said.What he had in mind was the fury that drove Hamas to slaughter around 1,200 Israelis on a sleepy Saturday morning nearly 20 months ago and the fury that has driven the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to bombard Gaza ever since, killing more than 50,000, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, and, over the last 80 days,...

Events

56 h. ago Jay Slater's tragic final moments and phone call during fatal walk as cause of death confirmed in inquest

Jay Slater vanished after partying with his friends in Tenerife. Weeks later, he was found dead with several questions left unanswered. Now, an inquest has revealed what happened to the teen

Events

9 d. ago Body found in search for 'vulnerable' boy, 16, who vanished near the sea at the weekend

The body was recovered at 6.20pm in the West Shore area of Llandudno following a four-day major hunt for 16-year-old Athrun.

Politics

1 week ago Chilling last sighting of 'spooked' missing teenager who vanished after a party more than a week ago revealed as his family make desperate plea

Doorbell footage has revealed the last last known sighting of a teenager who vanished after a house party more than a week ago.

Society

1 week ago Cat trapped under floorboards 'survived by drinking beer' after vanishing for 3 weeks

Leia the cat was missing for three weeks after clambering into her neighbour's open floor in Deal, Kent, moments before she was sealed in and tiled shut - but thankfully she lived to tell the tale

Events

1 week ago Missing cat trapped under floorboards for three weeks survived by drinking French lager and eating bugs

Ben Smith, 83, believed his inquisitive pet cat Leia vanished after sneaking under a neighbour's open floor during renovation work without anyone realising.

Events

2 w. ago Body found in hunt for missing girl, 21, last seen at popular UK seaside resort

Police have found a body in the search for missing 21-year-old June who vanished over a week ago and was last seen at around 8.35pm in Bournemouth, Dorset

Events

3 w. ago British Paralympian, 35, vanishes while on holiday in Las Vegas and has been missing for more than a week

Sam Ruddock (pictured), 35, who has represented Britain in shot put, cycling and sprinting, had gone alone to the American city to watch the annual WWE WrestleMania event.

Events