64 h. ago Netanyahu to give press conference after announcement of Israeli plan to escalate war on Gaza – latest updates

PM has ignored military advice and warnings that move could endanger hostages and will lead to further destruction and suffering for PalestiniansSee 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 GMT; 15:30 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...

Politics

3 d. ago UK announces £8.5m in Gaza aid as warnings made over 'chaotic scenes' and starvation

Israel must allow Gaza to be 'flooded with aid', the development minister Baroness Jenny Chapman said, as concerns over widespread hunger in the area continue to be raised

Events

3 d. ago UK announces more aid for Gaza as Israel proposes expansion of conflict

The £8.5 million will be delivered through the UN’s Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Politics

3 d. ago Anas Sarwar brands Benjamin Netanyahu 'war criminal' as new Gaza offensive announced

The Scottish Labour leader blasted the Israeli Prime Minister's plans to take over Gaza City as the conflict escalates.

Events

4 d. ago Netanyahu ‘not a partner in peace’, says Scottish Labour leader Sarwar

The Israeli Government announced plans to occupy Gaza City on Friday.

Politics

4 d. ago Germany suspends arms exports to Israel following announcement to 'take over' Gaza City

The arms export freeze marks a dramatic change of course for the German government, which has long been one of Israel's staunchest international allies as it has sought to atone for the Holocaust.

Politics

4 d. ago Israel’s Gaza City plan sparks global condemnation with warnings of more destruction and suffering – latest updates

Widespread calls for takeover plan to be stopped with UK’s Starmer saying escalation will ‘only bring more bloodshed’ and Germany halting arms exportsNetanyahu announces plan to take over Gaza CityThe UK’s ambassador to Israel has said extending the war in Gaza would only lead to more deaths and that occupying Gaza would be a “huge mistake”.Simon Walters was quoted by Israel’s Haaretz newspaper as saying on Thursday:The IDF has achieved all that it can achieve in Gaza, and extending the war any further will simply lead to more deaths. Deaths of soldiers, deaths of Palestinians, deaths of hostages.If you want to defeat Hamas, you cannot achieve that through military force. You need to use politics and diplomacy and you need to give the people of Gaza an alternative to Hamas.We are working with friends, allies in Europe and in the Middle East to generate a real plan for what happens after the fighting stops, after the war.It needs to be a description of what the governments will be fo...

Events

4 d. ago Israel announces it will 'take control' of Gaza City as Netanyahu reveals five 'principles for ending the war' including the defeat of Hamas

Under the plan to 'defeat' Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli 'will prepare to take control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside combat zones'.

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...

Politics

4 d. ago Israel announces it will 'take control' of Gaza as Netanyahu reveals five 'principles for ending the war' including the defeat of Hamas

Under the plan to 'defeat' Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli 'will prepare to take control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside combat zones'.

Politics

4 d. ago Keir Starmer warns Israel's Gaza escalation 'will only bring more bloodshed'

Keir Starmer has said that Israel's planned occupation of Gaza City, announced overnight, 'will do nothing' to end the war or secure the release of hostages held by Hamas

Events

5 d. ago Fears for Palestinians and hostages as Netanyahu plans full Gaza occupation

Israeli prime minister to hold cabinet talks on occupation despite pleas from aid agencies and by families of hostagesMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has convened a security cabinet expected to be held on Thursday evening to discuss the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, which aid agencies have warned would lead to countless more Palestinian deaths and further mass displacement.The families of the roughly 20 remaining living hostages have called for Israelis to protest against the government and a decision they fear would endanger the lives of their loved ones. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago ‘Flyovers can be incredibly beautiful!’ Long Blondes singer Kate Jackson’s new career as a motorway artist

In her neck scarf and beret, she sang songs that defined the 2000s. Now the frontwoman has a second life – turning unloved roads, bridges and service stations into dazzling ‘pop art’ scenes full of romance and possibilityAs the singer in cult indie band the Long Blondes, Kate Jackson experienced all the thrills of the mid-00s music scene: chaotic gigs, hedonistic parties, an abundance of winklepickers and angular fringes. But years later, when she went back over all the photographs she’d taken during that period, things looked rather different. “I’ve got tons of photos of airport lounges and long stretches of road in Europe,” she says with a shake of the head. “Lots of German service stations. Nothing of the band! No backstage fun, no frolics!”Jackson may regret not capturing more of the band’s short but spectacular heyday, but the road has always been important to her. As a Pulp-obsessed teenager in Bury St Edmunds, she would gaze out of the kitchen window and dream of escaping sma...

Transport

7 d. ago UK aid cuts will cause untold damage, wildlife charities warn – as they fear for future of key programmes

Nick Ferris talks to groups around Britain and Africa about the cost-cutting that is already taking place, and the difficult few years ahead

Events

3 w. ago Shocking video shows moment handcuffed man is beaten by furious survivors of LA crash that injured 31

The heart-stopping footage captured the chaotic scene outside The Vermont nightclub in East Hollywood after a devastating car attack left dozens injured.

Events

3 w. ago Massive Attack announce alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza

Brian Eno, Fontaines DC and Kneecap say group will support those subject to ‘aggressive, vexatious campaigns’ by pro-Israel advocatesMassive Attack, Brian Eno, Fontaines DC and Kneecap have announced the formation of a syndicate for artists speaking out about Israel’s military assault on Gaza, who they say have been subjected to “aggressive, vexatious campaigns” by pro-Israel advocates.Posting on Instagram, the musicians said their aim was to protect other artists, particularly those at early stages of their careers, from being “threatened into silence or career cancellation” by organisations such as UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Focus on Gregg Wallace, Glastonbury and Gaza as BBC releases annual report

It comes after Ofcom announced it would investigate the BBC’s Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary.

Politics