8 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

35 h. ago More than 9,000 children treated for malnutrition in Gaza, says Unicef – Middle East crisis live

Figures come as Palestinian health minister says there have been 29 ‘starvation-related’ deaths in the last few daysIsraeli foreign minister Gideon Saar accused unnamed European officials on Thursday of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington DC took place.Israel has faced criticism from Europe as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine.There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder.This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and organisations, especially from Europe.These libels about genocide, crimes against humanity and murdering babies pave the way exactly for such murders. Continue reading...

Society

36 h. ago The fight over whether 14,000 babies were at risk of dying in 48 hours in Gaza

The UN’s humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher faced backlash after his disputed comments

Events

37 h. ago Mothers and their babies face starvation in Gaza, where hospitals are overwhelmed

The U.N. children’s agency says more than 9,000 children have been treated for malnutrition in Gaza this year, and food security experts say tens of thousands of cases are expected in the coming year

Politics

39 h. ago If aid doesn’t enter Gaza now, 14,000 babies may die. UN peacekeepers must step in | Michael Fakhri

As a UN special rapporteur on the right to food, I have watched for 19 months as Israel starves children. The world must act nowOn Monday, Israel launched an intensive ground offensive named Operation Gideon’s Chariots as part of its plan to cause as much pain and damage as possible to everyone in Gaza. Israel has announced its intent to gain full indefinite control over Gaza, in effect aiming for annexation. This was after the international court of justice found Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and demanded it end its occupation as rapidly as possible and provide full reparations to Palestinians.Israel’s increased violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory also comes after it denied all food, water and supplies from entering Gaza for over 75 days. In March, child acute malnutrition increased by more than 80%. The price of wheat flour has increased by 3,000% since February. The World Food Programme ran out of food for kitchens in Gaza on 25 April and the Wor...

Events

60 h. ago UK demands Netanyahu stop the war in Gaza as 'scores more die'

Britain, France and Canada call out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's massive escalation of war in Gaza as a race against time is underway with 14,000 Gaza babies at risk if no aid gets through

Events

63 h. ago British surgeon in Gaza compares Palestine to ‘slaughterhouse’ as 14,000 babies at risk of dying

A British doctor working in Gaza has described it as a "slaughterhouse" as the UN's humanitarian chief warns that 14,000 Palestinian babies could die within 48 hours if more aid does not enter the territory.

Events

66 h. ago Israel still blocking Gaza aid, says UN, despite warnings that 14,000 babies could die within hours: Latest

Nineteen Palestinians killed in overnight Israeli strikes despite mounting international criticism

Events

67 h. ago Israel latest: UN says Gaza aid still blocked amid warnings 14,000 babies could die within hours

Nineteen Palestinians killed in overnight Israeli strikes despite mounting international criticism

Events

3 d. ago Ms. Rachel makes emotional plea for Gaza’s children as UN warns 14,000 babies could starve under Israeli blockade

A former child educator from Maine, Ms. Rachel has built an audience of nearly 15 million subscribers on YouTube with her mix of educational videos and songs for young children

Events

3 d. ago Gaza latest: UN says no aid distributed so far as UK condemns Israel over ‘monstrous’ blockade

David Lammy announces the suspension of trade negotiations - as UN warns 14,000 babies are at risk of dying within 48 hours if more aid doesn’t enter Gaza quickly

Politics

3 d. ago UN warns 14,000 babies could die within 48 hours under Israel siege of Gaza

Humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said the five aid trucks allowed into the strip on Monday were a “drop in the ocean” amid international condemnation of Israel

Events

3 d. ago UN warns 14,000 babies will die if Gaza not 'flooded' with aid in next 48 hours

The UN's under-secretary-general Tom Fletcher has warned that thousands of babies are set to die in Gaza in the next 48 hours if international aid doesn't reach them

Events

4 d. ago Israel allows first aid trucks to enter Gaza as Netanyahu says forces will take full control of territory

Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says allowing limited aid into Gaza is necessary so that the war against Hamas ‘cannot be stopped’

Politics

4 d. ago Live updates: A UN official says 20 aid trucks with food are waiting to enter Gaza

Israel says it will allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza even as its "extensive” new ground operations are underway

Society

7 d. ago Michael J. Fox sparks outpouring of emotion from fans after making shock announcement amid Parkinson's battle

After taking a significant step back from acting since his 1991 Parkinson's diagnosis, Michael J. Fox is making a comeback.

Events

8 d. ago Life after Lennon Miller: Motherwell boss preparing to lose young star

Michael Wimmer hopes the teenage midfielder makes the right next step

Politics

1 week ago Hamas releases final living American hostage to Red Cross as crowds celebrate in Tel Aviv

Hamas has released the last living American hostage held in Gaza after talks with the US on a ceasefire and allowing humanitarian aid to enter the besieged territory as Tony Blair joins aid effort

Events

1 week ago Is Britain breaking international law over Israel to avoid offending Trump? We may find out in court this week | Yasmine Ahmed

The UK’s arms exports to Israel will be tested again as a Palestinian rights group challenges the governmentYasmine Ahmed is UK director of Human Rights WatchOn Tuesday, the British government will be in the high court defending the indefensible: its continuing approval of arms exports to Israel. As the government’s lawyers take the floor to deliver their opening remarks – in a case that was brought by the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq and is supported by Human Rights Watch – thousands of children in Gaza will be starving. This is the result of an Israeli blockade on food, aid and medical supplies that defies the binding orders of the international court of justice.Thousands of mothers will be mourning the children they have lost in an assault on Gaza that is estimated to have cost the lives of more than 50,000 people, according to the Gaza ministry of health. Thousands of people will be homeless, forcibly displaced and living among the rubble of the towns and cities they no...

Politics

1 week ago The Guardian view on Israel and Gaza: Trump can stop this horror. The alternative is unthinkable | Editorial

The US president has the leverage to force through a ceasefire. If he does not, he will implicitly signal approval of what looks like a plan of total destructionDonald Trump would like a big foreign policy win as he embarks on his tour of the Middle East this week. He could secure one – and save lives – by demanding that Israel agree to a lasting ceasefire in exchange for the release of all hostages held in Gaza. He might prefer to avoid the issue, but no other leader has the leverage to force its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to end this war. If Mr Trump instead backs Israel’s current proposals, he will put the US imprimatur on what looks like a plan of total destruction.Israel’s attacks have already killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities – the vast majority of them civilians, many of them children. Bakeries, hospitals and schools have been obliterated. Aid has been blocked for two months. Gaza faces famine. Last week, Isr...

Politics