27 h. ago Hamas likely to accept Trump Gaza plan with key revisions, experts say

Turkey and Qatar putting pressure on group to make concessions – but condition it disarm a sticking pointMiddle East crisis – live updatesHamas is likely to provisionally accept Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire proposal in the coming days – but only on condition there are significant revisions of some of its key elements, analysts and sources close to the group say.Trump imposed a deadline of “three or four days” from Tuesday for Hamas to give its response to his 20-point plan, which aims to bring the two-year war in Gaza to a close and allow an apparently indefinite international administration of the devastated territory, or “pay in hell”. Continue reading...

Politics

49 h. ago Israel tells Gaza aid flotilla to change course as activists say navy is intercepting boats – Middle East crisis live

Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying about 500 activists including Greta Thunberg, says Israeli navy boats approaching; foreign ministry says it asked flotilla to change course Activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla said Israeli warships surrounded several of its boats on Wednesday and that the interception of the main vessels was under way, according to AFP.“The warships are moving in to intercept the flotilla – only 81 nautical miles remain to Gaza,” said the Maghreb contingent of the Global Sumud Flotilla in a statement. Continue reading...

Politics

52 h. ago Israel says ‘last opportunity’ for Gaza City residents to leave

Defence minister issues warning, while Hamas reportedly considers seeking amendments to Trump plan The Israeli military has issued what it said was its final warning for Gaza City residents to flee as it intensified its bombardment and offensive on Wednesday, while Hamas was reportedly considering requesting amendments to Donald Trump’s ceasefire ultimatum.Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said the warning was the last opportunity for people to move to southern Gaza as the military encircled the city. Gaza’s civil defence agency said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had killed at least 46 people, including 36 in Gaza City. Continue reading...

Politics

56 h. ago Israeli minister says ‘last opportunity’ for Gaza City residents to flee – Middle East crisis live

Israeli offensive intensifies amid reports Hamas will seek amendments to Trump’s Gaza planHere are some images coming in via the newswires today:The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that the “intensification of military operations in Gaza City” has forced the humanitarian organisation to temporarily suspend operations at its Gaza City office and relocate its staff to ICRC offices in southern Gaza “to ensure staff safety and operational continuity”.The ICRC will continue to strive to provide support to civilians in Gaza City, whenever circumstances allow, from our offices in Deir al-Balah and Rafah, which remain fully operational. This includes providing medical donations to the few remaining health facilities in Gaza City and doing the utmost to facilitate the movements of first responders. In Rafah, the Red Cross Field hospital will continue to be a lifeline for the many wounded patients pouring in.The ICRC has been in Gaza City for decades. Following the latest...

Politics

60 h. ago Israel to close last remaining route from southern Gaza to the north as it continues offensive on Gaza City – Middle East crisis live

Hamas has said it will review the outline of Trump’s Gaza plan, as leaders across the Middle East voiced support for the proposalThe Australian government has said it is “deeply concerned” about the safety of its citizens on board a flotilla to Gaza, with expectations the boats could be intercepted by Israeli forces as early as Wednesday afternoon Australian time.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said they have been in contact with six Australians confirmed to be on flotilla consisting of more than 40 ships.I’m deeply concerned by the alleged drone attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla and the risks to the safety of Australians and other passengers onboard.Australia calls on all parties to respect international law and international humanitarian law, and to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the flotilla.I think people feel pretty calm. And because everybody is really, really concerned about what’s happening in Palestine every single day, it really kind of...

Politics

3 d. ago Trump gives Hamas ‘three or four days’ to respond to Gaza peace plan or face ‘a very sad end’ – live

Ultimatum comes as Netanyahu says he did not agree to Palestinian state as part of Trump Gaza plan, and IDF will remain ‘in most of territory’What’s in Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza?The Gaza health ministry has announced on Telegram that 453 people, including 150 children, have died of famine and malnutrition in Gaza.Since the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in Gaza in August, a further 175 deaths have been recorded, among them 35 children. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Netanyahu tells UN that Israel ‘must finish the job’ in Gaza after dozens of delegates walk out in protest

Israeli PM rebuked Western nations for embracing Palestinian statehood after scores of delegates left the hall in protestPalestinians living in poverty were also affected, the Palestinian prime minister’s spokesperson Mohammad Abu al-Rob told Agence France-Presse (AFP), with their numbers rising by more than 150% since the start of the Gaza war, and with cash assistance not paid out in more than two months.An increase in the number of Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank, and a reduction in work permits for West Bank Palestinians seeking work inside Israel have had a drastic impact. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Benjamin Netanyahu addresses UN general assembly as dozens of delegates walk out

Israeli PM is addressing the United Nations in New York Palestinians living in poverty were also affected, the Palestinian prime minister’s spokesperson Mohammad Abu al-Rob told Agence France-Presse (AFP), with their numbers rising by more than 150% since the start of the Gaza war, and with cash assistance not paid out in more than two months.An increase in the number of Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank, and a reduction in work permits for West Bank Palestinians seeking work inside Israel have had a drastic impact. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Labour in crisis? Join live Q&A with chief political commentator John Rentoul to dissect Starmer’s future

Join John Rentoul for a live AMA to discuss Labour’s internal turmoil, Starmer’s leadership under pressure, and the challenges posed by Farage’s rising Reform party

Politics

8 d. ago Israel carrying out crime against humanity in Gaza, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas tells UN – Middle East crisis live

Speech by Palestinian Authority president also says Hamas should have no role in governing Palestine and must disarmAlimi says the policy of containment has given the Houthis time to expand its arsenal.“It has become clear the peace we seek cannot be asked for but must be imposed by force,” he says. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago British officials fear Trump could recognise Israeli West Bank settlements

Government insiders say move would be a serious blow to prospect of a two-state solutionMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritish officials fear Donald Trump could recognise Israeli control over illegal settlements on the West Bank in retaliation for the UK, France and others deciding to recognise Palestine.Government insiders believe the US president is considering granting official recognition to the Israeli communities there, which would be a serious blow to achieving a two-state solution. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago France recognises state of Palestine, Macron tells UN; Abbas says Hamas to ‘surrender their weapons’ – Middle East crisis live

French announcement followed by Morocco, Belgium, Malta and Luxembour; Palestinian president says Hamas must have ‘no role’ in governing GazaThe Israeli military, which justifies its assault on Gaza City by saying it wants to “destroy Hamas military infrastructure” hasn’t given a timeline for the ground offensive, but there are indications it could take months.Amid this flurry of diplomatic activity, Israel is continuing to launch deadly attacks on Gaza, including on Gaza City, the biggest urban centre in the territory. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago France recognises state of Palestine, Emmanuel Macron tells UN general assembly – Middle East crisis live

French president makes announcement during official address; Trump to hold high-stakes meetings with leaders from Ukraine, EU and several Middle Eastern nations on TuesdayThe Israeli military, which justifies its assault on Gaza City by saying it wants to “destroy Hamas military infrastructure” hasn’t given a timeline for the ground offensive, but there are indications it could take months.Amid this flurry of diplomatic activity, Israel is continuing to launch deadly attacks on Gaza, including on Gaza City, the biggest urban centre in the territory. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago A glut of VIPs and a heckled minister see Palestinian flag raised at London’s newest embassy

Ambassador welcomes historic event with MPs keen to be seen but minister faces awkward crowdUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe flag-raising event to mark Britain’s recognition of the Palestinian state was running a little late at London’s newest embassy. Over a century late it might be argued.The formalities had been due to kick off at 11am outside what had been known as the Palestinian Mission to the UK but there was a problem: too many VIPs. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Israeli politicians react bitterly to international recognitions of Palestinian state

Experts say move by nations including UK and Australia won’t change government policy and could strengthen its grip on powerMiddle East crisis – live updatesA wave of international recognitions of a Palestinian state has prompted bitter and almost unanimous condemnation across the political spectrum in Israel, uniting political foes and, analysts said, potentially reinforcing the ruling coalition’s grip on power.The UK, Portugal, Australia and Canada formally recognised a state of Palestine on Sunday while France was expected to follow suit on Monday. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Arab and Muslim leaders to meet Trump to discuss peace plan for Gaza

Talks on UN-led stabilisation force follow recognition of Palestine by France, Canada and the UKMiddle East crisis – live updatesArab and Muslim leaders are to meet Donald Trump in New York to discuss their plan for a UN-mandated international stabilisation force in Gaza after France joined the UK, Canada and Australia in recognising Palestine as a state.Israel has warned that it might respond to the recognition of Palestine by annexing the West Bank, citing claims from Hamas that recognition by allies of Israel was a victory for the terror group. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago IDF warns aid workers only hospitals are protected sites in northern Gaza

Israeli military says aid infrastructure could be targeted after order to ‘all Gaza residents and inhabitants’ to leaveHumanitarian workers in northern Gaza have been repeatedly warned by the Israeli military that only hospitals will be considered protected sites and all other aid infrastructure could be targeted.In messages and conversations with aid workers in recent days seen by the Guardian, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said an order to “all Gaza residents and inhabitants” to evacuate Gaza City, the biggest urban centre in the territory, applied “to all humanitarian locations [there], except hospitals” and warned that “to defeat Hamas [Israeli troops] will operate with great force”. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago IDF try to force civilians out of Gaza City as ground offensive continues

Two army divisions work their way toward centre of Gaza City as further Israeli airstrikes destroy buildingsMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsraeli troops have been trying to force more people out of their Gaza City homes as part of a ground offensive that is destroying large parts of Gaza’s biggest urban centre.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday they had carried out 150 air and artillery strikes before the ground operation that began early on Tuesday morning. Two army divisions are working their way slowly towards the city centre and are expected to be joined by a third in the coming days. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago EU’s proposed trade suspension with Israel ‘appropriate and proportionate’ given crisis in Gaza, Šefčovič says – Europe live

EU trade commissioner says proposed partial trade suspension is ‘carefully considered response’ to humanitarian crisis in GazaNordic correspondentDenmark is for the first time to buy long-range precision weapons such as missiles and drones, Mette Frederiksen has abruptly announced, as she warned “Russia is testing us”.There is no doubt that Russia will be a threat to Denmark and Europe for many years to come. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Where will Gaza City residents go? Maps show that safe areas are shrinking as Israel expands its offensive

The start of Benjamin Netanyahu’s ‘significant operation’ has displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians

Politics