55 h. ago Middle East crisis live: Netanyahu repeats threat to seize parts of Gaza if Hamas does not release hostages

Israeli PM says he will take ‘more powerful repression’ if Hamas does not release remaining hostagesFull story: Hundreds join Hamas protest in GazaHere are some of the latest images coming in via the newswires:The Gaza health ministry said on Wednesday that at least 830 people had been killed in the Palestinian territory since Israel resumed large-scale strikes on 18 March, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Five killed by Israeli shelling in southern Syria, officials say; US appears to confirm fresh Yemen strikes – Middle East crisis live

Israel shells province of Darra amid warning of escalation in region; US attacks Houthis in a bid to regain control of international shipping lanesIn a statement regarding the airstrike on Syria, the Israeli military said:IDF (army) troops identified several terrorists who opened fire toward them in southern Syria. The troops returned fire in response and the IAF (air force) struck the terrorists. Hits were identified. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago US appears to confirm fresh strikes on Yemen; Israel issues fresh calls to evacuate northern Gaza – Middle East crisis live

US attacks target Houthis in a bid to regain control of international shipping lanes; IDF tells people to head towards ‘known shelters’ At least five people have been killed in Israeli shelling of the southern Syrian province of Daraa, local authorities said.In a post on Telegram, provincial authorities reported a provisional toll of “five people killed in the Israeli bombardment of the town of Kuwayya... west of Daraa”. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Israel military issues further calls to evacuate northern Gaza as airstrikes continue – Middle East crisis live

Military tells people to head towards ‘known shelters’ despite the fact there is no guarantee of safety as 57 people killed in past 24 hoursAs we mentioned in the opening summary, Israel’s security cabinet has approved a suggestion by the country’s defence minister, Israel Katz, to set up a new administration within his department tasked with enabling Palestinians to “voluntarily” leave Gaza, their homelands.In a statement a couple of days ago, Katz’s office said the new directorate would work to:Prepare for and enable safe and controlled passage of Gaza residents for their voluntary departure to third countries, including securing their movement, establishing movement routes, checking pedestrians at designated crossings in the Gaza Strip, as well as coordinating the provision of infrastructure that will enable passage by land, sea and air to the destination countries.The ministry of foreign affairs and expatriates condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s announcement of the establ...

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7 d. ago Israel to ‘seize more ground’ and warns Hamas it will annex parts of Gaza

Defence minister, Israel Katz, threatens to implement Trump’s plan to turn Gaza into resort if hostages not releasedMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael’s defence minister said on Friday he has instructed the military to “seize more ground” in Gaza and threatened to annex part of the territory unless Hamas releases the remaining hostages it holds.Israel Katz’s warning came as the army stepped up the renewed assault it launched on Tuesday, shattering the truce that had facilitated the release of more than two dozen hostages and brought relative calm since late January. Continue reading...

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7 d. ago Who is Ronen Bar, the sacked chief of Israel’s Shin Bet security service?

Former special forces soldier made enemies after disagreements with far-right factions in Netanyahu governmentIsrael supreme court freezes firing of Shin Bet chiefMiddle East crisis – live updatesRonen Bar, the head of Israel’s powerful internal security service, the Shin Bet, may seem an unlikely rebel.A former special forces soldier who holds degrees from Tel Aviv and Harvard universities, Bar has devoted three decades of his working life to the service of the state. His frame is lean, greying hair close shaved, features gaunt, manner reserved and speech moderate. Continue reading...

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9 d. ago LIVE Tower block evacuated and 'avoid area' warning issued as bomb squad called to scene

Explosives units have been called to the scene this evening

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1 week ago Netanyahu warns Israel’s renewed Gaza offensive ‘is only the beginning’

Israeli PM says attacks will continue until Hamas is destroyed and hostages freed, as airstrikes kill hundredsMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe wave of deadly airstrikes that shattered the pause in hostilities in Gaza is “only the beginning”, Benjamin Netanyahu has warned, also promising that the new offensive would continue until Israel achieved all of its war aims – destroying Hamas and freeing all hostages held by the militant group.Any further ceasefire negotiations would take place “under fire”, the Israeli prime minister said in a televised address on Tuesday night, his first after Israel launched attacks that killed more than 400 people in the devastated Palestinian territory, in the bloodiest single day of violence since the first months of the war in 2023. Continue reading...

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1 week ago ‘A nightmare come true’: Palestinians flee again after Israel’s attacks on Gaza

Thousands displaced once more as wave of airstrikes ends ceasefire, killing hundreds and raising new fears about aidMiddle East crisis – live updatesThousands of Palestinians were on the move in Gaza on Tuesday, after a wave of Israeli airstrikes signalled the end of almost two months of calm in the devastated territory. Many were newly bereaved, and most had been displaced many times.Like others in Gaza, Ghaitam, a 19-year-old from a village near the southern city of Khan Younis, said he was woken at about 2am by the sounds of warplanes, explosions and screaming. “It was a nightmare that came true,” he said. Continue reading...

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1 week ago UN human rights chief voices horror at Israel’s new Gaza strikes

Volker Türk calls for immediate end to violence and unconditional release of hostagesMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe UN’s human rights chief has voiced horror at Israel’s resumption of airstrikes on Gaza that have killed at least 404 people, saying further misery was being inflicted on people “already suffering catastrophic conditions”.In a statement on Tuesday Volker Türk said he was horrified by Monday night’s airstrikes and shelling in Gaza. The decision to resume shelling in effect ended the fragile ceasefire that has paused the violence in the devastated Gaza Strip since mid-January. Palestinian authorities reported 404 deaths by about noon local time, nine and a half hours after the strikes began. Continue reading...

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1 week ago World leaders express outrage at Israel’s renewed bombing of Gaza civilians

Strikes said to target Hamas killed hundreds within hours including women and children, undermining ceasefireMiddle East crisis – live updatesWorld governments and UN officials have expressed horror and dismay at Israel’s resumption of strikes on Gaza that killed hundreds within a few hours on Monday, warning the assault could shatter a ceasefire that was intended to be permanent.Jordan, a US ally that has a peace agreement with Israel, called the strikes “aggressive and barbaric”. Egypt, which also has a diplomatic relationship with Israel and helped mediate the truce, called the bombing a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire that took effect in mid-January. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Israel breaks Gaza ceasefire after renewed IDF strikes kill more than 320 Palestinians – Middle East crisis live

Benjamin Netanyahu says operation carried out to ‘achieve war objectives’ as Hamas labels strikes a ‘blatant violation of humanitarian conventions’Deaths reported in Gaza as Israeli military conducts ‘extensive strikes’ despite ceasefireCommenting on the fresh strikes in Gaza, Sally Thomas, humanitarian manager at Caritas Australia, warned the strikes would impact distribution“In the first month of the ceasefire around 56 ,000 metric tons of food entered Gaza, more than double the amount in the month prior. Alongside this, humanitarians have been working to take care of an estimated 350,000 chronically ill people in Gaza, where there are just 108 ICY beds remaining, and a lack of necessities such as oxygen and vital medical equipment,” she said in a statement. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Gaza ceasefire shattered as more than 320 Palestinians reported killed by renewed Israeli strikes – Middle East crisis live

Benjamin Netanyahu says operation carried out to ‘achieve war objectives’ as Hamas labels strikes a ‘blatant violation of humanitarian conventions’Deaths reported in Gaza as Israeli military conducts ‘extensive strikes’ despite ceasefireCommenting on the fresh strikes in Gaza, Sally Thomas, humanitarian manager at Caritas Australia, warned the strikes would impact distribution“In the first month of the ceasefire around 56 ,000 metric tons of food entered Gaza, more than double the amount in the month prior. Alongside this, humanitarians have been working to take care of an estimated 350,000 chronically ill people in Gaza, where there are just 108 ICY beds remaining, and a lack of necessities such as oxygen and vital medical equipment,” she said in a statement. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Tens of thousands attend rallies in Yemen after deadly US airstrikes – Middle East crisis live

Huge demonstrations in Houthi-controlled areas come as more than 50 people die in strikes responding to Red Sea attacksMore than 200 people, including women and children, have been killed in Syria in incidents involving war remnants in the three months since the fall of the Assad regime, as bomb disposal experts warn that “no area in Syria is safe”.The number of casualties has risen as approximately 1.2 million people return to their former homes and lands after being displaced by the country’s brutal civil war.The US and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are both vowing escalation after the US launched a wave of deadly airstrikes on Saturday with the stated aim of deterring the rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. Updating an earlier death toll, Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anis al-Asbahi said 53 people had been killed including “five children and two women”, and that 98 people had been injured.Iran will respond to US president Donald Trump’s invitation to talks after pro...

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1 week ago Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live

US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shippingJason Burke is the International security correspondent of the GuardianBenjamin Netanyahu has announced he will seek to dismiss the director of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, through a cabinet vote later this week, in a move that will prompt further accusations of authoritarianism. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago Syrian defence ministry says military operation over and forces ‘paving way for life to return to normal’ – Middle East crisis live

Syria’s defence ministry spokesperson warns of further retribution against forces loyal to AssadSyria’s defence ministry has announced it has completed military operations to fight remnants of former ousted president Bashar al-Assad’s forces.China on Monday called for all warring parties in Syria to “immediately stop” violence. AFP reports foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said “China follows closely the situation in Syria and is concerned about the large number of casualties caused by these armed clashes.” Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Hamas says Trump’s threats encourage Israel to back out of Gaza ceasefire

Militant group accuses the US president of seeking to undermine deal with his ultimatum for release of hostages Middle East crisis – live updatesHamas has accused Donald Trump of seeking to undermine the shaky pause in hostilities in Gaza with his latest intervention in the region: a new and fierce ultimatum telling the group to release all hostages.The militant Islamist organisation said Trump’s threats constituted support for attempts by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to back out of the ceasefire agreement. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Israel’s Shin Bet says Netanyahu policies helped pave way for 7 October

Report by security agency says ‘policy of quiet’ towards Hamas allowed it to build up resources for 2023 attackMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, has said Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies were among the underlying causes of the 7 October 2023 attack in which Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 Israelis.In its report on the 7 October attack, Shin Bet acknowledged its own responsibility, admitting it was aware of warning signs that Hamas was planning an operation, but the agency, also known as the General Security Service (GSS), did not grasp the scale, timing and location of the planned attack. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Netanyahu tells new military chief Israel ‘determined’ to achieve victory – Middle East crisis live

Lt Gen Eyal Zamir says that mission to defeat Hamas is ‘not accomplished’ amid deadlock over ceasefire negotiationsAn Israeli rights group says Israel demolished a record number of Palestinian homes in annexed East Jerusalem last year, reports the Associated Press (AP).Ir Amim, which closely tracks settlement activity and demolitions in the city, said on Wednesday that 181 homes were destroyed last year, in addition to dozens of other structures. It said that more recently, Israel appears to have dropped a longstanding policy against demolishing homes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last weekend. It said a residential building and three apartments have been destroyed over the past week, according to the AP. Rights groups say discriminatory policies make it nearly impossible for Palestinians to expand or redevelop their neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, forcing many to build without permits. Israel also demolishes the family homes of Palestinians who carry out at...

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3 w. ago Arab leaders endorse Gaza rebuild scheme as alternative to Trump’s plan to ‘take over’ region – Middle East crisis live

Egyptian-devised $53bn proposal follows outrage at US president’s suggestion to force Palestinians to relocate from territoryAmnesty International said on Wednesday that Israel’s attacks on ambulances, paramedics and health facilities during its recent war with Hezbollah should be investigated as war crimes, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).A 27 November truce agreement largely halted more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, including two months of full-blown war in which Israel sent in ground troops. During the conflict, the Israeli military accused the group of using ambulances belonging to the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee for transporting fighters and weapons, accusations the group denied.Many of us have repeatedly raised objections over the continued sale of F-35 components. We have repeatedly asked for the truth regarding the role of British military bases. And we have repeatedly requested the publication of legal advice behind the govern...

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