2 h. ago At least 135 mutilated bodies of Palestinians had been held at notorious Israeli jail, say Gaza officials

Documents indicate they came from Sde Teiman, which already faces allegations of torture and unlawful deathsMiddle East crisis – live updatesAt least 135 mutilated bodies of Palestinians returned by Israel to Gaza had been held in a notorious detention centre already facing allegations of torture and unlawful deaths in custody, officials from Gaza’s health ministry told the Guardian.The director general of the health ministry, Dr Munir al-Bursh, and the spokesperson for Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, where the bodies are being examined, said a document found inside each body bag indicated the bodies all came from Sde Teiman, a military base in the Negev desert, where, according to photos and testimonies published by the Guardian last year, Palestinian detainees were held in cages, blindfolded and handcuffed, shackled to hospital beds, and forced to wear nappies. Continue reading...

Events

8 h. ago Gaza ceasefire live: Trump’s envoys arrive in Israel amid scramble to shore up fragile truce – Middle East crisis live

US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner expected to meet members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s governmentUS President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner have returned to Israel, a US embassy spokesperson has said.They are overseeing the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which they helped broker, and are expected to meet members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Truce resumes after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza amid scramble to shore up ceasefire – Middle East crisis live

US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner reportedly heading to Israel on Monday Donald Trump said yesterday the ceasefire he brokered was still in place.The US president told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Hamas has been “quite rambunctious” and “they’ve been doing some shooting.” He suggested that the violence might be the fault of “rebels” within the organization rather than its leadership. “It’s going to be handled toughly but properly,” he said. Continue reading...

Events

21 h. ago Scramble to shore up ceasefire as Israel hits Gaza with deadly raids

IDF says attack followed Hamas forces firing at its troops, but both sides say they are committed to ceasefireMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael launched waves of lethal airstrikes on Sunday and cut off all aid into Gaza “until further notice” after a reported attack by Hamas, in escalations that marked the most serious threat so far to the increasingly fragile ceasefire in the devastated territory.Two Israeli soldiers, including an officer, were killed in the Hamas attack. Palestinian officials said dozens died in the retaliatory airstrikes. Continue reading...

Events

24 h. ago War in Gaza caused big political shifts, and more are likely on the road to peace

Trump’s 20-point plan is forcing Middle East rivals to set aside differences and collaborate after years of competitionMiddle East crisis – live updatesIf the war in Gaza had dramatic consequences across the Middle East, overturning long-held assumptions, resetting the geopolitical map and provoking massive shifts in public opinion, any durable peace is likely to have equally momentous effects.Some counsel caution. Continue reading...

Politics

24 h. ago Israel reportedly halts supply of aid into Gaza as it launches ‘massive wave of attacks’ – Middle East crisis live

Ceasefire close to total collapse as Israeli military says it has launched strikes in response to ‘blatant violation’ of agreement by HamasIsraeli airstrikes on Gaza as ceasefire comes under threatFreed Israeli hostage David Cunio received a hero’s welcome in the city of Yavne, where residents lined the streets waving Israeli and American flags as he was driven from hospital to rejoin his family, The Times of Israel reports.Cunio, who was abducted from kibbutz Nir Oz with his family during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, leaned out of the car window to shake hands and thank supporters as music played and people applauded. Continue reading...

Events

26 h. ago Gaza agency says 11 killed in Israeli strikes as IDF says Hamas had fired at its troops – Middle East crisis live

Ceasefire in crisis with Israeli military warning further strikes are possibleIsraeli airstrikes on Gaza as ceasefire comes under threatFreed Israeli hostage David Cunio received a hero’s welcome in the city of Yavne, where residents lined the streets waving Israeli and American flags as he was driven from hospital to rejoin his family, The Times of Israel reports.Cunio, who was abducted from kibbutz Nir Oz with his family during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, leaned out of the car window to shake hands and thank supporters as music played and people applauded. Continue reading...

Events

27 h. ago Israel launches Rafah airstrikes as Hamas warns ‘escalation’ could hamper handover of hostage remains – Middle East crisis live

Militant group say they have found another body of an Israeli hostage in Gaza and plan to hand over today if ‘conditions allow’Israeli airstrikes on Gaza as ceasefire comes under threatFreed Israeli hostage David Cunio received a hero’s welcome in the city of Yavne, where residents lined the streets waving Israeli and American flags as he was driven from hospital to rejoin his family, The Times of Israel reports.Cunio, who was abducted from kibbutz Nir Oz with his family during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, leaned out of the car window to shake hands and thank supporters as music played and people applauded. Continue reading...

Events

31 h. ago Reports of Israel airstrikes on Rafah as Gaza ceasefire deal comes under threat

Air force reportedly carries out attack after Hamas militants emerge from tunnels and shoot at Israeli soldiersMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Israeli air force carried out airstrikes in Rafah in southern Gaza on Sunday, Israeli media reported, in the most serious threat so far to the week-long ceasefire in the strip.The airstrikes reportedly occurred after Hamas militants emerged from tunnels in the Rafah area and shot at Israeli soldiers in the morning, prompting a firefight. Israel’s army radio reported that deadly clashes in Rafah were continuing. Continue reading...

Events

32 h. ago Reports of Israeli attack on Gaza amid rising tensions over ceasefire – Middle East crisis live

Israeli media reports come as Hamas and Israel trade accusations over breaches of the US-brokered ceasefireIsraeli airstrikes hit Rafah in southern Gaza, Israeli and regional media report, as clashes flared between Israeli forces and Hamas despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire.Israel’s public broadcaster Kan said the air force was striking targets in Rafah, while other outlets reported attacks elsewhere in southern Gaza and in the city of Jabalia in the north of the territory. Israeli TV network Channel 12 said prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with defence minister Israel Katz and senior army officials as the situation unfolded. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Gaza aid still critically scarce, say agencies, as Israel delays convoys

UN urges opening of all crossing points as fewer than half of intended trucks enter strip and WHO warns of ‘spiralling’ diseaseMiddle East crisis – live updatesAid remains critically scarce in Gaza one week into the ceasefire, humanitarian agencies have warned, as Israel delays the entry of food convoys into the territory. The Israeli government and Hamas continue to trade blame over violations of the truce.The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday that it had brought about 560 tonnes of food per day on average into Gaza since the ceasefire began, but it was still below what was needed. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Greta Thunberg among 171 Gaza flotilla activists deported by Israel; ceasefire negotiations due to begin in Egypt – Middle East crisis live

Activists deported to Greece and Slovakia; negotiators from the US, Israel and Hamas are set to begin talksIran signalled its support for Trump’s Gaza plan, with the country’s foreign ministry saying it supports any initiative that brings an end to the genocide of Palestinian people.Iran’s foreign ministry wrote in a post on X:Taking into account the dangerous dimensions and aspects of this proposal, and while reiterating its warning about the repeated breaches and obstructionism by the Zionist regime in fulfilling its promises, especially in light of its expansionist and racist plans, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers any decision in this regard to be within the authority of the Palestinian people and resistance.It welcomes any decision by them that guarantees halting the genocide of Palestinians, the withdrawal of the occupying Zionist army from Gaza, respect for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the reconstruction of Gaz...

Events

2 w. ago Gaza ceasefire talks live: Israeli airstrikes continue with negotiations due to begin in Egypt

Negotiators from the US, Israel and Hamas are set to begin talks, as the US president said the first phase should be completed this weekIsrael continues Gaza bombardment as Trump plan negotiators arrive in CairoEgyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has praised Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, saying it could mark the start of a path towards stability in the region.In an address to mark the 1973 war between Israel and Egypt that led to the end of Israel’s occupation of the Sinai peninsula, Sisi said on Monday:I can only extend my praise and appreciation for US President Donald Trump for his initiative that seeks a ceasefire in Gaza after two years of war, genocide, killing and destruction.A ceasefire, the return of prisoners and detainees, the reconstruction of Gaza and the launch of a peaceful political process that leads to the establishment and recognition of the Palestinian state means we are on the right path to lasting peace and stability. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

3 w. 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

3 w. 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...

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