60 h. ago Netanyahu claims his Gaza City takeover plan is fastest way to end war – latest updates

Israeli PM’s plan to escalate war has drawn international condemnationSee all our Middle East crisis coverageIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to hold a press conference with international media in Jerusalem at 4:30pm local time (13:30 GMT; 14:30 BST).He will likely be asked about the security cabinet’s controversial decision on Friday to expand its assault on Gaza and take control of Gaza City.Following the alerts activated in the Gaza Envelope, it is likely that two launches from the Gaza Strip crossed into the country’s territory, interception attempts were made, and their results are under review. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago UN holds crisis talks over Gaza occupation after Israel's plan for complete military takeover of Gaza sparks international backlash

The UN Security Council is to hold emergency talks today after Israel's plan for a complete military takeover of Gaza sparked international condemnation.

Events

4 d. ago The Guardian view on Israel’s Gaza takeover plan: a destructive act that must be stopped | Editorial

Benjamin Netanyahu has embarked on an operation that guarantees fresh miseries and will solve absolutely nothingIsrael’s planned takeover of Gaza would be an act of destructive futility. It would solve absolutely nothing. It will merely pile fresh military, humanitarian and political problems on to the mounds of those already created in the conflict. It will make every human agony worse, not better. Governments around the world must do whatever they can – the US above all – to stop it.There is still time. The plan announced on Friday is for an operation to take military control of Gaza City, home to a million displaced Palestinians. They will be forcibly evacuated, yet again, to the southern Gaza Strip over the coming weeks. Aid distribution is certain to be a secondary consideration, logistically challenging and woefully inadequate for a population where malnutrition is already severe. The threat to life in Gaza, including to the remaining Israeli hostages captured on 7 Octobe...

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4 d. ago Gaza latest: Netanyahu’s plan for military takeover of Gaza means ‘sacrificing’ hostages, say Hamas

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

Events

4 d. ago Israel’s delusional, inhuman Gaza takeover plan could be recipe for perpetual war

Decision will place huge financial burden on Israel and could lead to massive increase in Palestinian civilian deathsMiddle East crisis – live updatesOne of Israel’s most celebrated images is David Rubinger’s photograph of a trio of paratroopers at the newly captured Western Wall in 1967, an event that would mark the beginning of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.You see it when arriving at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. It has been used to illustrate the Israel Defense Forces’ “values” page, and appears endlessly in the Hebrew media and on pro-Israel sites. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago John Swinney blasts Gaza takeover plan by Israeli government as 'utterly unacceptable'

The First Minister spoke out amid growing international condemnation of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Politics

4 d. ago Netanyahu announces plan to take over Gaza City in further escalation

Proposal that needs to be approved by full cabinet would mean sending Israeli ground troops into remaining territoryMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael’s security cabinet has approved a plan to take over Gaza City, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said, marking another escalation in the 22-month offensive that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed most of Gaza and pushed the territory into famine.Ahead of the security cabinet meeting, which began Thursday and ran through the night, Netanyahu had said Israel planned to retake control over the entire territory and eventually hand it off to friendly Arab forces opposed to Hamas. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago Vance to arrive in UK for Lammy meeting as Starmer denounces Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City – UK politics live

The foreign secretary is to welcome the US vice-president to Chevening, his grace-and-favour residence, and Gaza is expected to be on their agendaJohn Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, says Israel’s decision to occupy Gaza City is “completely and utterly unacceptable”. In a message on social media, the SNP leader said:The decision of the Israeli government to seize control of Gaza City is completely and utterly unacceptable. It will create even more human suffering for the Palestinian people and further escalate the conflict. The international community must stop Israel and secure a ceasefire.Netanyahu’s brutal plan to take control of Gaza is yet another declaration of intent to commit war crimes. The UK must do more than express disapproval: end military cooperation and arms sales, recognise Palestine, demand an immediate ceasefire and accountability for war crimes. Continue reading...

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4 d. 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

4 d. ago Israel ‘wrong’ to escalate conflict with Gaza City takeover plan, Starmer says

The Prime Minister’s intervention comes after Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet approved plans for a major escalation in the conflict.

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6 d. ago Labour blasts John Swinney for 'peddling myth' that only SNP can defeat Reform at Holyrood election

The SNP leader previously warned only his party could defeat Reform at the Hamilton by-election - only for Labour to then claim victory in South Lanarkshire.

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