30 h. ago David Squires on Fifa’s peace prize and Donald Trump’s eligibility

Our cartoonist on how the US president’s actions in office may have put him in line for an awardBuy a Squires cartoon in our Print ShopDavid’s latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Bel Trew answers your questions: From aid shortages in Gaza to morale in the Israeli military

Chief international correspondent Bel Trew answers your questions on Gaza’s aid crisis, the fragile ceasefire, regional power dynamics, and morale in the Israeli military

Events

34 h. ago Main suspect in Madeleine McCann disappearance allowed to leave Germany, court rules

Court says restrictions would breach his right to freedom of movement

Events

49 h. ago Court makes bombshell ruling in case of Madeleine McCann prime suspect

Court says restrictions would breach his right to freedom of movement

Events

50 h. ago Prime suspect in Madeleine McCann case now free to leave Germany

Court says restrictions would breach his right to freedom of movement

Politics

6 d. ago Pope Leo meets Palestinian President Abbas, discuss urgent need for Gaza aid, two

Pope Leo XIV has met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and the two discussed the urgent need for assistance to civilians in Gaza and a two-state solution to end the conflict

Politics

2 w. ago Tony Blair ‘has a contribution to make’ to Trump’s Gaza peace deal, UK’s Middle East minister says

Exclusive: Hamish Falconer has spoken to The Independent on Gaza and why cutting international aid has not made the migrant crisis worse

Politics

2 w. ago Tony Blair should be part of Trump’s Gaza peace deal, UK’s Middle East minister says

Exclusive: Hamish Falconer has spoken to The Independent on Gaza and why cutting international aid has not made the migrant crisis worse

Politics

2 w. ago The war in Gaza is supposed to be over. But be warned: without truth and justice, it will never truly end | Simon Tisdall

A fragile ceasefire is in place, but what’s needed is an international tribunal for resolution and reparation. That’s the only route to lasting peaceDonald Trump insists the war in Gaza is over. No, it isn’t. The violence is much reduced. Yet Israeli forces have reportedly killed about 100 Palestinians and wounded hundreds more since the 10 October ceasefire began. Food aid supplies are still heavily restricted. The occupation continues, in Gaza and the West Bank. US officials fear prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his accomplices may renege on the deal, as in the past.Likewise, Hamas elements and rival gangs have kept fighting. The terrorist group is not disarming; Israeli forces have not fully withdrawn to the agreed lines. US-framed security, governance and reconstruction proposals remain vague, hypothetical and contentious. The war’s root causes, principally the denial of Palestinian sovereignty and statehood, are not addressed. Unless that changes, it will all kick off agai...

Events

2 w. ago US Secretary of State accuses UNRWA of being ‘subsidiary of Hamas’ and insists Trump Gaza plan is ‘only option’

US Secretary of State insisted that the ceasefire is holding in place despite concerns over aid and recent clashes in Gaza

Politics

2 w. ago WHO says aid situation in Gaza ‘remains catastrophic’ despite ceasefire – Middle East live

WHO’s director general says there has been little improvement in the amount of aid going into Gaza since the ceasefire took holdTurkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the United States and others must do more to push Israel to stop violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the possible use of sanctions or halting arms sales.According to an official readout of his remarks to reporters on board a return flight from Oman, Erdoğan said the Palestinian militant group Hamas was abiding by the agreement. He added that Turkey remains ready to support the planned Gaza taskforce in any way needed. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago ICJ orders Israel to allow aid into Gaza and says restrictions breached international obligations

UN’s top court also finds Israel failed to justify blocking Unrwa and other relief agenciesIsrael must allow aid into Gaza, and its restrictions on doing so over the past two years have put it in breach of its obligations, the UN’s top court has found.The stinging advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice in The Hague also found that Israel had a duty not to impede the supply of aid by UN organisations including the beleaguered UN Palestinian relief agency Unrwa, which has been in effect banned from the territory since January. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Glasgow council education chief resigns after text message row

Dr Douglas Hutchison quit over concerns his texts to an opposition councillor may have "breached rules on political restriction".

Politics

3 w. ago Gaza ceasefire live: JD Vance has ‘great optimism’ truce will hold as he prepares to meet Netanyahu

On a visit to Israel, the US vice-president said Washington would not set a deadline for the group to disarm under the US-brokered dealHello and welcome to our continuing Middle East coverage.JD Vance has expressed “great optimism” that the Gaza truce would hold, during a visit to Israel aimed at shoring up support for a ceasefire and postwar reconstruction plans.The top United Nations court will rule on Wednesday on Israel’s obligations towards agencies providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, as aid groups scramble to scale up assistance after a ceasefire. Judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague have been asked for an “advisory opinion” laying out Israel’s duty to facilitate aid in Gaza.At a press conference in Israel on Tuesday, JD Vance referred to Hamas as a “terrorist organisation” and said the Israeli army was “defending itself” throughout the conflict. He said there is “a lot of work left to do” and that it is going to take a “long time” a...

Events

3 w. ago Two Israeli soldiers and a reported 44 Palestinians dead as ceasefire threatens to collapse: Netanyahu orders 'wave of strikes' on Gaza and stops aid after Hamas attacks

The BBC said Gaza hospitals sources claimed 44 people were killed in the Israeli air strikes on Sunday. However, Israel said it would resume its enforcement of the ceasefire.

Events

3 w. ago Israel halts supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza 'until further notice' after Hamas's 'multiple attacks' as IDF undertakes 'wave of strikes' in retaliation

An Israeli official confirmed Israel's suspension of delivery of aid into the Palestinian enclave, and said that the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip will remain halted 'until further notice.'

Events

3 w. ago Scramble to shore up ceasefire as Israel hits Gaza with deadly raids

IDF says attack followed Hamas forces firing at its troops, but both sides say they are committed to ceasefireMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael launched waves of lethal airstrikes on Sunday and cut off all aid into Gaza “until further notice” after a reported attack by Hamas, in escalations that marked the most serious threat so far to the increasingly fragile ceasefire in the devastated territory.Two Israeli soldiers, including an officer, were killed in the Hamas attack. Palestinian officials said dozens died in the retaliatory airstrikes. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Israel says it is resuming enforcement of ceasefire after strikes in Gaza

The IDF has said an alleged attack by Hamas was a ‘bold violation of the ceasefire’, and has halted aid into Gaza

Events

3 w. ago Israel halts supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza 'until further notice' after Hamas's 'multiple attacks' as IDF undertakes 'wave of strikes' in retaliation

An Israeli official confirmed Israel's suspension of delivery of aid into the Palestinian enclave, and said that the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip will remain halted 'until further notice.'

Events

3 w. ago Israel reportedly halts supply of aid into Gaza as it launches ‘massive wave of attacks’ – Middle East crisis live

Ceasefire close to total collapse as Israeli military says it has launched strikes in response to ‘blatant violation’ of agreement by HamasIsraeli airstrikes on Gaza as ceasefire comes under threatFreed Israeli hostage David Cunio received a hero’s welcome in the city of Yavne, where residents lined the streets waving Israeli and American flags as he was driven from hospital to rejoin his family, The Times of Israel reports.Cunio, who was abducted from kibbutz Nir Oz with his family during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, leaned out of the car window to shake hands and thank supporters as music played and people applauded. Continue reading...

Events