12 h. ago Trump scrambles to claim credit for Israel’s Iran attack he publicly opposed

Discordant US response as president says he was fully aware of plans for what Marco Rubio called a ‘unilateral action’ Middle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump is walking a tightrope as he claims that he was fully aware of Israel’s plans to launch massive airstrikes against Iran while continuing to distance the US from those strikes and deny Washington took any active role in the preparations.The White House’s messaging has shifted quickly from Marco Rubio’s arms-length description of the Israeli attack as a “unilateral action”, to Trump claiming on Friday morning that he was fully in the loop on the operation and that it came at the end of a 60-day ultimatum he had given Iran to “make a deal” on its nuclear programme. Continue reading...

Politics

40 h. ago Middle East crisis: Third Iranian nuclear enrichment site ready as UN says country not complying with its obligations – live

Head of Iran’s atomic energy organisation says third site is ready to operate as UN watchdog finds Iran is not complying with obligations for first time in 20 yearsThe UN nuclear watchdog’s board of governors has formally found that Iran isn’t complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years, AP reports.It’s a decision that could lead to further tensions and set in motion an effort to restore UN sanctions on Tehran later this year. Continue reading...

Events

41 h. ago Middle East crisis: Third Iranian nuclear enrichment site ready as IAEA says country not complying with its obligations – live

Head of Iran’s atomic energy organisation says third site is ready to operate as UN watchdog finds Iran is not complying with obligations for first time in 20 yearsThe UN nuclear watchdog’s board of governors has formally found that Iran isn’t complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years, AP reports.It’s a decision that could lead to further tensions and set in motion an effort to restore UN sanctions on Tehran later this year. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Discussions on US ceasefire proposal are ‘ongoing’, says White House – Middle East crisis live

Washington says proposal has been submitted to Hamas that has been ‘backed and supported’ by IsraelHere are the latest pictures from the West Bank, courtesy of the newswiresIsraeli strikes killed at least 13 Palestinians overnight in Gaza, the Associated Press reports. According to local hospitals, Four were killed in a strike on a car in Gaza City late Wednesday, and another eight, including two women and three children, were killed in a strike on a home in Jabaliya. A strike on a built-up refugee camp in central Gaza killed one person and wounded 18. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants are embedded in populated areas. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Netanyahu tells hostages’ families that Israel has accepted ceasefire proposal from US, say reports – Middle East crisis live

Proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff stipulates the release of 10 living hostages held in Gaza and the return of 18 bodies in exchange for a 60-day ceasefireHere are the latest pictures from the West Bank, courtesy of the newswiresIsraeli strikes killed at least 13 Palestinians overnight in Gaza, the Associated Press reports. According to local hospitals, Four were killed in a strike on a car in Gaza City late Wednesday, and another eight, including two women and three children, were killed in a strike on a home in Jabaliya. A strike on a built-up refugee camp in central Gaza killed one person and wounded 18. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants are embedded in populated areas. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Israel confirms plans to create 22 new settlements in occupied West Bank

Defence minister says move ‘prevents establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel’Middle East crisis live – latest news updatesIsrael has said it will establish 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, including the legalisation of outposts already built without government authorisation, after a security cabinet vote held in secret last week.Israel occupied the West Bank, capturing it from Jordan, in the six-day war of 1967. Since then, successive governments have tried to permanently cement Israeli control over the land, in part by declaring swathes as “state lands”, which prevents private Palestinian ownership. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Violent Israeli settlers under UK sanctions join illegal West Bank outpost

Exclusive: Neria Ben Pazi and Zohar Sabah witnessed visiting base set up to drive Palestinians from homes• Middle East crisis live – latest updatesTwo violent Israeli settlers on whom sanctions were imposed by the UK government this week have joined a campaign to drive Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank village of Mughayyir al-Deir.Neria Ben Pazi’s organisation, Neria’s Farm, had sanctions imposed by London on Tuesday, as the UK suspended negotiations on a new free-trade deal with Israel over its refusal to allow aid into Gaza and cabinet ministers’ calls to “purify Gaza” by expelling Palestinians. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. 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

3 w. ago Israeli army issues evacuation warning for 14 areas in northern Gaza – Middle East crisis live

AFP says army released statement in Arabic claiming it was ‘operating with intense force’ in a number of areasIsraeli 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...

Events

3 w. ago Israel still blocking aid for Gaza despite promise to lift siege, says UN

Continued restrictions come as opposition leader says Israel is becoming pariah nation that ‘kills babies as a hobby’Middle East crisis – live updatesTwo days after Benjamin Netanyahu announced he was lifting the siege of Gaza, Israel is still blocking food from reaching starving Palestinians, the UN has said, as the leader of the country’s centre-left Democrats party said his country was becoming a pariah nation that “kills babies as a hobby”.Only five trucks of aid had reached Gaza by Tuesday afternoon and aid workers had not been given permission to distribute even that token shipment, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) told a Geneva press briefing. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago UK suspends trade talks with Israel and attacks ‘repellent’ extremism

Foreign secretary, David Lammy, condemns blocking of aid trucks and calls by Israeli ministers to ‘purify Gaza’Middle East crisis – live updatesUK-Israeli relations have plunged to their worst state for decades after the British foreign secretary, David Lammy, suspended negotiations over a new free trade deal, saying Israel’s cabinet ministers’ calls to “purify Gaza” by expelling Palestinians were repellent, monstrous and extremist.He also said wider talks about a future bilateral strategic roadmap with Israel were being reviewed. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago UK suspends trade talks with Israel and attacks ‘repellant’ extremism

Foreign secretary, David Lammy, condemns blocking of aid trucks and calls by Israeli ministers to ‘purify Gaza’Middle East crisis – live updatesUK-Israeli relations have plunged to their worst state for decades after the British foreign secretary, David Lammy, suspended negotiations over a new free trade deal, saying Israel’s cabinet ministers’ calls to “purify Gaza” by expelling Palestinians were repellant, monstrous and extremist.He also said wider talks about a future bilateral strategic roadmap with Israel were also being reviewed. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Israel says ‘external pressure will not divert’ it after UK pauses trade talks – Israel

Israel foreign ministry spokesperson accuses Britain of ‘anti-Israel obsession’ after UK pauses trade talks over blockade of GazaPhilippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of Unrwa, the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, has been speaking to Euronews.He said US President Donald Trump has the unique power to force Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “change the situation” in Gaza.I do believe that President Donald Trump has the necessary influence to change the situation in Gaza and make sure that the siege be lifted and that the population get access to the assistance it deserves.It’s an outrage that we are confronted by a situation of starvation when it comes to Gaza. It’s a completely fabricated one. We are in a situation where hunger and food are being weaponised for political and military purposes What is needed in Gaza is a massive, unhindered, uninterrupted assistance of supply to make sure that we are reversing the trend of the spreading hunger. Continue...

Politics

3 w. ago Netanyahu hits back after UK, France and Canada threaten action – Israel

Leaders of UK, France and Canada condemn Israel’s ‘egregious actions’ in Gaza and warn of joint action if offensive continuesFull report: Netanyahu vows to ‘take control’ of GazaAs we mentioned in the opening post, the UK, France and Canada issued a rare joint condemnation of Israel, denouncing its expanded offensive in Gaza and the blocking of aid into the territory.It marks a change in tone from the UK and Canada - in particular – which have broadly backed Israel’s war and insisted on its “right to defend” itself despite it being accused of committing genocide and carrying out widespread and systematic violations of international law. France has been more openly critical of the Israeli military’s conduct. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago ‘Our hearts ache’: the fight for survival in Gaza amid Israel’s new offensive and no aid

Ceasefire rumours of little interest, say the bereaved who face starvation after one of Beit Lahiya’s ‘hardest nights’• Middle East crisis – live updatesAt about 2am on Sunday, Basel al-Barawi was dozing fitfully in his home in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza. For hours, he had listened fearfully to the sound of explosions and shooting.Then there was a massive blast. Barawi ran out to the street and saw that his cousin’s house had been bombed, with 10 people inside. The strikes on Beit Lahiya came days after Israel launched a major new offensive, named Operation Gideon’s Chariots. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Gaza ceasefire talks continue as Israel carries out fresh wave of strikes

Netanyahu signals openness to deal but lays out conditions while territory’s hospitals ‘overwhelmed’ with casualties• Middle East crisis – latest updatesCeasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have been continuing in Qatar for a second day as Israeli warplanes and artillery launched a fresh wave of strikes across Gaza, killing at least 103 people, according to health officials in the Palestinian territory.The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, signalled on Sunday that Israel was open to a deal with Hamas that would include “ending the fighting” in Gaza, but laid out conditions that have been repeatedly refused by the militant Islamist organisation. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago UN chief ‘alarmed’ as Israel launches major ground offensive in Gaza – Middle East crisis live

United Nations secretary general António Guterres called on Saturday for a permanent and immediate ceasefire Israel launches major offensive in GazaAn Iraqi political official, speaking to the Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, said that Iran’s al-Quds force commander Esmail Ghaani had paid a visit to Baghdad prior to the Arab League summit and “conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations” for a nuclear deal and a demand for the lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.The Arab League is meeting in Baghdad on Saturday to discuss Gaza and other regional crises, but some leaders are expected to miss the talks that come straight after US president Donald Trump’s Gulf tour. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza overnight as UN human rights chief warns of ‘ethnic cleansing’ – Middle East crisis live

UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Türk says ‘we must stop the clock on this madness’Israel launches major offensive in GazaAn Iraqi political official, speaking to the Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, said that Iran’s al-Quds force commander Esmail Ghaani had paid a visit to Baghdad prior to the Arab League summit and “conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations” for a nuclear deal and a demand for the lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.The Arab League is meeting in Baghdad on Saturday to discuss Gaza and other regional crises, but some leaders are expected to miss the talks that come straight after US president Donald Trump’s Gulf tour. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Middle East crisis live: ‘a lot of people are starving’ in Gaza, says Trump, as Israeli strikes kill dozens

Widespread attacks across northern Gaza with survivors warning that people are trapped under the rubbleIsraeli airstrikes kill at least 80 as Trump talks of turning Gaza into ‘freedom zone’Donald Trump on Friday said the United States would have the situation in Gaza “taken care of”, telling reporters that people were starving in the besieged Palestinian territory.According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the US president told reporters during the final leg of his Gulf tour:We’re looking at Gaza. And we’re going to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving.Missing this historic opportunity would be a resounding failure that will be remembered in infamy for ever. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Middle East crisis live: Trump says US should turn Gaza into ‘freedom zone’ as dozens killed in Israeli strikes

US president’s reported comments in Qatar come as scores killed in a second consecutive night of heavy bombingGaza’s civil defence agency has said that the death toll from Israeli strikes overnight into Thursday is up to 82 people, updating a previous toll.“The number of martyrs from Israeli airstrikes on Gaza has risen to 82 after the occupation targeted several homes in northern Gaza,” civil defence spokesperson Mohammad al-Mughayir told AFP, after the agency earlier reported at least 50 dead (see 8.27am BST).We’re getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this there [are] two steps to doing this, there is a very, very nice step and there is the violent step, but I don’t want to do it the second way. Continue reading...

Events