97 m. ago Israeli bombing of Gaza school housing displaced Palestinians kills at least 27, say medical officials

Most of those killed were women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry

Events

10 h. ago At least 27 killed as Israeli strike hits a school in Gaza, say medical officials

The bodies of 14 children and five women were recovered from the school in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, say officials

Events

15 h. ago Israel has chosen military occupation over a ceasefire in Gaza. Where does this end? | Sanam Vakil

The latest escalation and attempts to dismantle the Palestinian leadership are utterly at odds with peace negotiationsSanam Vakil is a senior research fellow in the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham HouseAgainst the pleas and protests of hostage families desperate to secure the release of their loved ones, the Israeli government is moving ahead with the military occupation of the Gaza Strip. On 2 April, the defence minister, Israel Katz, announced plans to seize large areas of Gaza with the aim of eliminating Hamas’s remaining infrastructure and establishing new security zones that will split Gaza in two. This escalation, which began in mid-March with intensified airstrikes, is intended to encourage a mass exodus of the local population, and has led to substantial civilian casualties. Despite the international outcry over more than 50,000 deaths, 110,000 civilian injuries and significant displacement of Palestinians, the Israeli government rationalises and justifies ...

Events

16 h. ago Major Luton airport expansion to go ahead after government defies environmental concerns

Exclusive: Chief executive says flights to the Middle East could be on the cards – but one MP has called the decision ‘disastrous’

Politics

19 h. ago Trump has abandoned the idea of diplomacy in the Middle East | Jo

The administration has proposed no realistic settlement, leaving a void for Netanyahu. This is foolishness gone wildWhen I wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian a few months ago, anticipating Donald Trump’s foreign policy regarding the Middle East, I made a big mistake.I thought that there would be diplomacy involved, even if it was ill-conceived. Instead, the complete lack of diplomatic rendering in this administration’s foreign policy is already pointing in dangerous directions, especially regarding Israel, the Palestinians, Jordan and Egypt. Saudi Arabia, the sleeping giant that’s in a key position to provide a roadmap to a fair resolution for both Israelis and Palestinians, seems to be sitting on the sidelines now. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Qatargate: Israel shocked as Benjamin Netanyahu rocked by latest scandal

Netanyahu has slammed the probe as a political witch hunt

Politics

35 h. ago Trump sends another aircraft carrier to the Middle East after massing stealth bombers at island air base amid mounting fears he is ready to strike Iran

US president Donald Trump has moved another aircraft carrier to the Middle East after amassing stealth bombers to the nearby Chagos Islands

Events

39 h. ago New photos show Pentagon continuing mysterious buildup in the wake of Trump’s latest threats against Iran

Almost a third of the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of B-2 Spirit bombers have been sighted at a strategic Chagos Islands outpost as tensions rise in the Middle East

Culture

43 h. ago Israel announces intention to seize large areas of Gaza Strip in major escalation

Defence minister Israel Katz says seized land ‘will be added to the state of Israel’s security areas’Middle East crisis – live updatesIsrael’s defence minister has said the country intends to “seize large areas” of the Gaza Strip amid a major expansion of aerial and ground operations in the besieged Palestinian territory.Israel Katz said in a statement on Wednesday that “troops will move to clear areas of terrorists and infrastructure, and seize extensive territory that will be added to the state of Israel’s security areas”. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago Israel says it is expanding military operation in Gaza and will ‘capture large areas’

Defence minister says seized lands will be added to 'security zones of the State of Israel’

Events

47 h. ago Middle East latest: Israeli defense minister says military is expanding its operation in Gaza

Israel’s defense minister says its military operation in the Gaza Strip is expanding to seize “large areas."

Politics

49 h. ago On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents

Packed with exclusive reporting, video interviews, and in-depth analysis, our On The Ground newsletter will bring you closer to the world’s most important crises and conflicts each week

Politics

50 h. ago US bombing of Yemen compounding dire humanitarian situation – rights groups

Anti-Houthi air campaign, details of which were revealed in Signal scandal, has brought further destruction to countryA ramped-up US bombing campaign on Yemen has killed civilians and brought further destruction and uncertainty to the poorest country in the Middle East, compounding an already dire situation after Donald Trump cut aid, according to local people, humanitarian workers and rights groups.“Now the rampant bombing has started, you never know which way things will go,” said Siddiq Khan, who works as a country director in Yemen for the aid charity Islamic Relief. Continue reading...

Events

63 h. ago Reform UK candidate in row after page gloats about Gaza war pushing up gold prices

The company of Alexander Jones, Reform UK candidate for mayor of Doncaster, shared several posts appearing to celebrate the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on gold

Events

63 h. ago Palestinian doctors ‘tortured into confessions’ in harrowing claims of abuse against Israel’s soldiers

Dr Khaled Al-Serr, a surgeon at Al-Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, claims he was brutally beaten and other inmates told him they had been raped in Sde Teiman military detention centre, southern Israel. Chief International Correspondent Bel Trew reports

Events

65 h. ago Middle East latest: Palestinians struggle to find food in Gaza; Israeli airstrike in Beirut kills 4

The Israeli military has hit a building in Beirut’s southern suburbs in a airstrike

Events

67 h. ago ‘The way to hell’: Palestinian doctors accuse Israeli soldiers of abuse and torture

Dr Khaled Al-Serr, a surgeon at Al-Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, claims he was brutally beaten and other inmates told him they had been raped in Sde Teiman military detention centre, southern Israel. Chief International Correspondent Bel Trew reports

Events

2 d. ago Middle East crisis live: Israel issues evacuation order for parts of northern Gaza

IDF says residents should evacuate Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and the neighbourhoods of Sheikh Zayed, al-Manshiya and Tal al-ZaatarThe IDF has issued a forced evacuation order to residents in parts of northern Gaza: Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and the neighbourhoods of Sheikh Zayed, al-Manshiya and Tal al-Zaatar.Avichay Adraee, an Arabic language spokesperson for the Israeli army, said it is a “final” warning before the “raid”. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago ‘We weren’t stuck’: Nasa astronauts tell of space odyssey and reject claims of neglect

Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams’ story markedly at odds with abandonment narrative painted by Trump and MuskIn the end, whatever Elon Musk and Donald Trump liked to insist, astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams were never stuck, nor stranded in space, and definitely not abandoned or marooned.The world heard on Monday, for the first time since their return to Earth two weeks ago, from the two Nasa astronauts whose 10-day flight to the international space station (ISS) last summer turned into a nine-month odyssey. And their story was markedly at odds with the narrative painted from the White House. Continue reading...

Technology

3 d. ago NASA astronauts reveal who is to blame in first interview after being 'abandoned' on ISS for nine months by Biden

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have spoken out for the first time since they returned from their nine -month-long space mission, revealing new details about the saga.

Politics