Morning Update: Over 330 Killed in Israeli Airstrikes, Shattering Truce
Early this morning, Israel conducted airstrikes on multiple locations throughout Gaza, from Gaza City in the north to Khan Younis in the south. The Gaza health ministry reports at least 330 fatalities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office indicated that the fragile two-month ceasefire has ended, stating, "Israel will now act against Hamas with increased military force."
UK Politics: Keir Starmer is set to announce significant cuts to disability benefits today, facing strong opposition from Labour MPs and poverty advocates. Economists have cautioned against such measures to meet fiscal goals, as they could impact some of the UK's most vulnerable individuals.
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World War II: John "Paddy" Hemingway, the last surviving pilot from the Battle of Britain, has passed away at 105. The RAF confirmed his peaceful passing on Monday.
Since the initial ceasefire phase in Gaza ended in early February, many Palestinians have been on edge, anticipating renewed conflict. Instead of moving to a second phase, Israel halted aid to Gaza and pressured Hamas to agree to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages, which Hamas refused without a full Israeli troop withdrawal.
Recent talks in Doha failed to reach a resolution. The question now is whether the latest airstrikes signal a full-scale return to conflict, with Israeli ground forces re-entering Gaza and Hamas retaliating, or if Netanyahu is trying to pressure Hamas into accepting Israel's terms. Israel's aggressive rhetoric suggests the latter is unlikely.
Damage Assessment: The initial blasts were heard in northwest Gaza during pre-dawn meals in Ramadan. Airstrikes targeted areas from Gaza City to Rafah. Israel claims it struck "terror targets" linked to Hamas. Witnesses reported civilian casualties, including children, with bodies piling up at hospitals. One hospital in Rafah reported 17 family members killed, including women and children. Gaza's deputy interior minister, Mahmoud Abu Wafah, was among the dead.
The death toll, currently at 330, is expected to rise as more victims are found or reported.
Ceasefire Status: The ceasefire appears to be over, with Israel escalating from drone strikes to large-scale airstrikes. Netanyahu's office announced plans for "increasing military strength," and the White House, consulted before the attack, stated that Hamas's refusal to release hostages led to the end of the ceasefire.
Hamas accused Israel of betrayal and claimed Netanyahu is using the conflict for political survival. However, Hamas has not officially declared a return to war. An official, Taher Nunu, challenged the international community to either stop the aggression or hold Israel accountable.
There are concerns about whether these airstrikes will precede a ground invasion. An Israeli official mentioned plans to expand operations beyond air attacks.
Impact on Hostages: Less than half of the 59 hostages in Gaza are believed to be alive. Families of hostages have criticized the Israeli government for abandoning the ceasefire, accusing it of giving up on their loved ones.
Protests are expected today and tomorrow over Netanyahu's intention to dismiss Ronen Bar, head of Shin Bet, who was involved in hostage negotiations. Opposition leader Yair Golan accused Netanyahu of reigniting conflict to distract from Bar's removal.
Netanyahu blames Hamas for not releasing hostages, while former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Hamas members and Gaza civilians. Hamas has been hesitant to release hostages without progressing to the second phase of talks.
Hamas now threatens the remaining hostages, stating Netanyahu's decision endangers them. If hostages are harmed, the conflict may continue until Israel feels Hamas is fully dismantled, risking more Palestinian civilian lives.
In other news, Daniel Boffey and Sean Smith explore how Trump's policies have affected Europe, while Malak A Tantesh and Jason Burke discuss the destruction of Gaza's cultural sites. Michael Hogan reviews Netflix's "Adolescence," and a series examines the UK's transformation post-COVID-19. Adam Kucharski argues for improved critical thinking to combat misinformation.
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UK Newspapers: Headlines cover Starmer's benefit cuts, Odey's ban, and environmental challenges. The Financial Times reports on Odey's financial penalties.
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