58 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...

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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.

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3 d. ago Israel faces growing global condemnation over military expansion in Gaza

International condemnation is growing over Israel’s decision for a military takeover of Gaza City

Events

4 d. ago ‘I will live here, and I will die here’: Palestinians defiant as Israel plans to seize control of Gaza Strip

While some in Gaza City are preparing to evacuate to the south, others refuse to be displaced againDisplaced repeatedly. Forced to live in tent camps or amid the ruins of their homes. Stricken by hunger and deprived of medical supplies.Now, 22 months into the war, around 1 million Palestinians are bracing for another catastrophe after the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to take control of the entire Gaza Strip. Such an offensive would force them toward the south of the territory, and an uncertain future. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago ‘I will live here, and I will die here’: Palestinians defiant as Israel plans to seize control of Gaza City

While some in Gaza City are preparing to evacuate to the south, others refuse to be displaced againDisplaced repeatedly. Forced to live in tent camps or amid the ruins of their homes. Stricken by hunger and deprived of medical supplies.Now, 22 months into the war, around 1 million Palestinians are bracing for another catastrophe after the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to take control of Gaza City. Such an offensive would force them toward the south of the territory, and an uncertain future. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago Make America Bait Again! JD Vance shows off fishing skills on visit to David Lammy's country retreat (and boasts he caught more)

David Lammy and US vice-president JD Vance showed off their fishing skills at the Chevening country retreat.

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4 d. ago Make America Bait Again! JD Vance shows off his fishing skills as he meets David Lammy at Foreign Secretary's country retreat

David Lammy and US vice-president JD Vance showed off their fishing skills at the Foreign Secretary's Chevening country retreat.

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

The foreign secretary is hosting the US vice-president at Chevening, his grace-and-favour residence, and Gaza is expected to be on their agendaThe SNP is calling for the recall of parliament so that MPs can approve sanctions against Benjamin Netanyahu in the light of his decision to extend the occupation of Gaza. In a statement Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, said:A genocide is happening before our eyes in Gaza. Words of condemnation aren’t anywhere near enough - if we have any hope of stopping this genocide strong actions are desperately needed, now. That means Keir Starmer needs to recall Westminster and take concrete steps to sanction the Israeli government. Those sanctions must include ending all arms sales to the Israeli military, stopping all training, logistical and military support to the IDF, directly and personally sanctioning Netanyahu and his ministers and finally and immediately recognising the state of Palestine before it is brutally wiped off the map. If...

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4 d. ago David Lammy to meet JD Vance TODAY amid tensions over UK vow to recognise Palestinian state

Foreign Secretary David Lammy is hosting the US vice-president at his country retreat of Chevening.

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4 d. ago The Latest: Israel plans to take control of Gaza City, drawing international condemnation

Israel says it plans to take over Gaza City in another escalation of its 22-month war with Hamas

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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.

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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 Israel security cabinet approves new plan to expand control over Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu’s government overrules alternatives preferred by military such as ceasefire

Politics

4 d. ago Lammy to host Vance in UK 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 agendaGood morning. Keir Starmer has this morning denounced the Israeli government’s decision to take over Gaza City, agreed overnight, saying it will “only bring more bloodshed”. He has been under growing pressure for a long time, from within the Labour party, as well as from the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the Corbyn/Sultana independent leftwingers, to be more critical of Israel, and that led to the decision last week to recognise the state of Palestine. This morning’s statement, which will almost certainly have no practical impact but which is marginally stronger than what Starmer has been saying in the past, is fresh evidence of a shift in thinking.In his statement, Starmer said:The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately. This action will do nothing to ...

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4 d. ago Keir Starmer condemns Israel's plans to take control of Gaza City warning of 'more bloodshed'

Keir Starmer warned of 'more bloodshed' and urged Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider after the dramatic announcement overnight.

Events

4 d. ago Israel's security cabinet approves plan to take control of Gaza City

Hamas calls Netanyahu’s comments about taken control of Gazan territory ‘a blatant coup’ - as families of Israeli hostages fear the move will be a ‘death sentence’ for their loved ones

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9 d. ago Israel minister who led prayers at a controversial holy site has a record of provocative actions

Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has led prayers at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site, sparking international condemnation

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