Hamas
Sir Keir Starmer to meet Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, and Emmanuel Macron in Germany
The leaders of the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and France will talk about the situation in the Middle East and the conflict in Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer will fly to Germany on Friday to meet with Joe Biden, Olaf Scholz, and Emmanuel Macron to discuss the Middle East crisis. The leaders of the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and France will meet to discuss the increasing humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza, where the UN has warned that basic supplies for survival are running low, as well as the need for a hostage solution and de-escalation, Downing Street announced.
Drone footage depicts Yahya Sinwar’s ‘final moments’ as Israel assassinated him
As information about Yahya Sinwar's death in southern Gaza emerged, the Israeli military published drone footage that it claimed showed the Hamas leader's dying moments. Israeli troops assassinated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a fire duel, reportedly unaware they had captured one of the country's most powerful opponents. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that Sinwar, the architect of the 7 October attack just over a year ago, had been "eliminated" in southern Gaza.
Iranian supreme commander says missile attack on Israel ‘will be done again if necessary’
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers his first statement at Friday prayers in five years, following Iran's launch of at least 180 missiles toward Israel on Tuesday night. Iran's supreme leader has asserted that its missile attack on Israel was "fully legal and legitimate," warning that it will be repeated if necessary. In an unusual speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei characterized Hamas' strike on Israel on October 7 as a "legitimate" act, urging Tehran's allies to "double your efforts and capabilities" against a "common enemy".
Netanyahu receives stern Biden remarks on peace accord and electoral influence
Joe Biden had terse words for Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Friday, saying he didn't know if the Israeli prime minister was holding up a Middle East peace deal - where Israel is at war with Hamas in Gaza and on a military offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon - to influence the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election. "No administration has done more for Israel than I have. None. There are none. And I think Bibi should remember that," Biden remarked, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. He went further: "And whether he's trying to influence the election, I don't know - but I'm not counting on that."
Israeli attack kills at least 14 people in central Syria, according to state media
Israeli missiles have killed at least 14 individuals in central Syria, according to state media reports. According to SANA, Syria's official news agency, the attack on Sunday night caused a fire and material damage near the city of Masyaf in Hama province. The update, which reportedly reported 43 injured, adds to the previous reports of five dead and 19 wounded. Around 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, the Israeli enemy started an air attack from northwestern Lebanon, targeting several military sites in Syria's central region, a military source told SANA.
Israeli military says Hamas commander slain in West Bank
It comes after many days of Israeli military attacks in the West Bank, which Palestinians regard as an escalation of the conflict in Gaza. Israeli border police claim to have assassinated a senior Hamas commander in the West Bank. The military claims Wassem Hazem was slain in a car containing weapons, ammunition, and substantial sums of cash.
Blinken travels to Israel for Gaza ceasefire talks
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Israel shortly in his latest attempt to broker a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement in Gaza. His eleventh journey to the region since the conflict began in October comes just days after the United States submitted a modified proposal aimed at closing long-standing gaps between the two sides. The United States and Israel have voiced hope about a solution since discussions resumed in Doha last week, but Hamas claims any progress is an "illusion".
PwC fined £15 million for fraud at London Capital & Finance
PWC has been fined £15 million for failing to warn about alleged fraud at London Capital & Finance (LCF). The auditor is the first accounting company to be penalised by the City authority. The Financial Conduct Authority's inquiry discovered that while working on the minibond company's 2016 accounts, PWC's audit team discovered several red lights but neglected to notify the regulator.
Joe Biden ‘optimistic’ about Middle East ceasefire despite Israeli bombings in Gaza and Lebanon
The US president's words come as regional tensions have risen in recent weeks, with fatal Israeli attacks reported in Gaza and Lebanon. US President Joe Biden has expressed greater optimism about a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas than in previous months. "As of an hour ago, we were still playing. I am optimistic. It's still not over. "Just a couple more issues, and I believe we have a shot," he told reporters on Friday.
Biden claims the Gaza ceasefire arrangement is closer than ever
Joe Biden stated that he was "optimistic" about reaching a ceasefire accord in Gaza. "We are closer than we've ever been," the US president said after the latest round of talks, adding that he was sending his secretary of state to Israel to continue the "intensive efforts to conclude this agreement". However, a senior Hamas official stated that there had been no development and that mediators were "selling illusions".
US orders Middle East submarine, carrier strike group faster sailing
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has directed the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and the acceleration of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group's arrival. The order was issued on Sunday evening during a phone chat between Austin and Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Galant, as tensions rose following the deaths of key Hamas and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Austin reaffirmed the United States' commitment to take every feasible measure to defend Israel, as well as the upgrading of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in response to growing regional tensions, according to the Pentagon.
As Middle East simmers, European leaders urge moderation
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have urged Iran and its allies to desist from planned strikes on Israel in response to the recent assassinations of prominent Hamas and Hezbollah members. On Monday, the leaders of the three European governments released a joint statement urging "de-escalation and regional stability" in the Middle East, as well as an immediate ceasefire. The death of two Iran-aligned leaders last month heightened global concern that the battle in Gaza will expand into an all-out regional warfare.