13 h. ago Belgium to recognise Palestinian state at UN and sanction Israel – Middle East crisis live

Foreign minister says move is not aimed at Israeli people but ‘ensuring their government respects international and humanitarian law’The Guardian’s political correspondent Eleni Courea has done an explainer in July with a section looking at what recognising Palestine would look in practice. Here is an extract:Recognition is a symbolic step but one that would infuriate the Israeli government, which argues that it would encourage Hamas and reward terrorism.It is in effect a formal, political acknowledgment of Palestinian self-determination – without the need to engage in thorny practicalities such as the location of its borders or capital city.In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government an...

Politics

7 d. ago UN warns Israel that its probe into IDF attack on Gaza hospital must yield actual results – Middle East crisis live

UN official says investigations have been announced before but ‘we haven’t seen results or accountability measures yet’The UN says that Israel must not only investigate alleged unlawful killings in Gaza like the hospital strike that killed 20 people, including journalists, the previous day, but also ensure those probes yield results.“There needs to be justice,” United Nations rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan told AFP in Geneva, adding that the large number of media workers killed in the Gaza war “raises many, many questions about the targeting of journalists”.The Israeli authorities have, in the past, announced investigations in such killings.It’s of course the responsibility of Israel, as the occupying power, to investigate - but these investigations need to yield results. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago State Department employee fired after questioning talking points on Israel and Gaza

The State Department has fired a press officer responsible for drafting Trump administration talking points about policy toward Israel and Gaza

Politics

1 week ago Israel to call up 50,000 reservists before planned offensive on Gaza City, says Israeli military official – Middle East crisis live

Call-up notices sent as Israeli plans to increase its offensive; Israel studies Hamas’ response to proposal for 60-day ceasefireGood afternoon, Israel will call up 50,000 reservists before a planned offensive to take Gaza City but most forces that would operate in the Gaza Strip’s largest urban centre would be active duty soldiers, an Israeli military official said on Wednesday. The call-up notices could be sent in the coming days, with reservists to report for duty in September, the military official said.“Most of the troops that will be mobilised in this new stage will be active duty and not reservists,” said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that he treats leaders of other countries with respect after his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attacked him over his decision to recognise a Palestinian state. “I don’t take these things personally, I engage with people diplomatically. He has had similar t...

Events

1 week ago Israel calls up 60,000 troops as defence minister approves plans to seize Gaza City

Defence Minister Israel Katz's move, confirmed by a spokesperson, piled pressure on Hamas as mediators pushing for a ceasefire in the nearly two-year war in Gaza awaited an official Israeli response.

Politics

3 w. ago Five Al Jazeera journalists killed in Gaza 'targeted by Israeli military smear campaign'

The IDF has claimed the Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent was secretly working with Hamas and responsible for a rocket attack against Israel

Events

3 w. ago Marles insists Australia ‘not supplying weapons to Israel’ but critics argue ‘parts of weapons are weapons’

Acting prime minister decries ‘misinformation’ regarding arms exports while Greens claim ‘hollow talking points aren’t washing with the public’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government won’t follow Germany and introduce new export restrictions to pressure Israel, with the defence minister, Richard Marles, insisting no weapons are being sent from Australia to aid the killing in Gaza.Marles, the acting prime minister, said on Sunday that Australia was not exporting any weapons for use by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a claim rejected by human rights campaigners and the Greens. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Jimmy Thelin sends Aberdeen fans a message over pyro closure threat as he speaks out on SPFL sanction

Jimmy Thelin tells Red Army not to sell Aberdeen short over pyro as he sends clear message to fans after SPFL charge

Events

3 w. ago Readers' letters: Israel's war in Gaza is not and act of 'self

A reader says it’s ludicrous to sugest Israel’s actions in Gaza are defensive or a proportionate response to Hamas’s terrorism

Politics

3 w. ago Netanyahu’s plan to take over Gaza sparks anger and threat of sanctions from allies

Israeli political-security cabinet approved Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take full military control of Gaza City, but the move was roundly condemned across Europe

Events

3 w. ago Germany suspends arms exports to Israel following announcement to 'take over' Gaza City

The arms export freeze marks a dramatic change of course for the German government, which has long been one of Israel's staunchest international allies as it has sought to atone for the Holocaust.

Politics

3 w. ago Does the UK still sell arms to Israel? Germany announces halt in response to Israel's latest plans

There is growing concern amid the international community about Israel’s continued expansion of military efforts

Politics

3 w. ago Netanyahu’s brutal plan for Gaza is a gamble on Israel’s very future

As Germany pauses military sales to Israel in anger over Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu now faces global isolation and a sprint to authoritarianism - only America can stop it, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Politics

3 w. ago Germany halts arms sales to Israel over Gaza offensive as Starmer warns of ‘more bloodshed’

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said it was ‘increasingly difficult to understand’ how the latest military push will help achieve Israel’s aims

Events

3 w. ago Gaza latest: Germany to stop arms sales to Israel after Netanyahu given green light for military takeover of Gaza

Israeli political-security cabinet approved Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take full military control of Gaza City on Thursday

Events

3 w. ago Gaza latest: Israel to ‘begin siege of Gaza on October 7’ after Netanyahu given green light to take full military control

Israeli leader suggests he may pass responsibility for governing Palestinian territory to Arab forces

Events

3 w. ago Gaza latest: Netanyahu’s plan for Gaza City takeover denounced as ‘exactly what Hamas want’ after cabinet approval

Israeli leader suggests he may pass responsibility for governing Palestinian territory to Arab forces

Politics

3 w. ago Gaza latest: Israeli security cabinet approves Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza City

Israeli leader suggests he would pass responsibility for governing the strip to Arab forces

Events

3 w. ago Gaza latest: Israeli cabinet weighs full takeover of Gaza as Hamas claims Netanyahu is ‘sacrificing’ hostages

Israeli leader suggests he would pass responsibility for governing the strip to Arab forces

Politics

3 w. ago Gaza latest: Netanyahu says he wants Israel to take control of entire enclave as Cabinet meeting begins

Israeli leader suggests he would pass responsibility for governing the Strip onto Arab forces

Politics