Dozens Reported Killed in Gaza Refugee Camp Blast – BBC News

Oct 31, 2023 | Dozens of people are reported to have been killed by a huge explosion at Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza. The Hamas-run heath ministry, and the director of the nearby Indonesian hospital, have said at least 50 people have been killed. The health ministry said the blast was caused by an Israeli air strike. There has been no comment yet from Israel on the reported blast. The BBC is working to verify details of the incident.

Israel Launches Full Ground War in Northern Gaza - BBC News

Oct 28, 2023 | Israel has begun a full ground offensive in northern Gaza, three weeks after Hamas gunmen attacked Israel, killing 1,400 people and taking more than 200 hostages.

The new phase of Israel’s assault began at night with a huge wave of airstrikes as ground forces entered the north of Gaza. Tanks and infantry moved in and Israel says its commandos are operating on the ground across the north of the territory.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his nation: “The war inside the Gaza Strip will be difficult and long and we are prepared for it. This is our second war of independence. We will fight for the defence of the homeland.”

The Palestinian authorities said at least 400 more people had been killed in Gaza on the first day of the full ground offensive.

As the assault began, Israel cut off all internet and phone communications in Gaza. Aid agencies and the United Nations reported that they were no longer able to communicate with their staff or confirm their safety.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten. Reporting by Jeremy Bowen in southern Israel and Rushdi Abualouf in Gaza.

How Twitter/X Has Changed a Year since Elon Musk’s Takeover - BBC News

Oct 27, 2023

Related.

Elon Musk calls Humza Yousaf a ‘blatant racist’ over ‘whites fill all top roles in Scotland’ speech: World’s richest man makes accusation after Twitter post claims First Minister ‘hates almost 100 per cent of the country’ »

Backlash after Elon Musk labels Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf racist: Musk was reacting to a clip of Scotland’s first ethnic minority first minister listing senior public posts held by white people »

US Strikes Two Syria Bases Used by Iran-linked Groups - BBC News

Oct 27, 2023 | The US has carried out air strikes against two weapons and ammunition storage facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the strikes were in response to recent attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups.

The US strikes were "separate and distinct from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas," he said in a statement.

Iran did not immediately comment. It is not yet known if there were any casualties from the attacks.

Tanks and Infantry Raid Gaza as Israel "Prepares Battlefield" for Ground Offensive - BBC News

Oct 26, 2023 | Israeli tanks and infantry have carried out their biggest ground raid into Gaza since the start of the current conflict. Israel’s military said they were “preparing the battlefield” ahead of an expected full-scale ground offensive.

The overnight raid came as Israel continued its massive airstrikes in Gaza, which the Palestinian authorities say have claimed the lives of 7,000 people, most of them civilians and many of them children.

Israel says its operations are targeting Hamas, following their raid on Israel on 7 October in which 1,400 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage.

Jeremy Bowen reports for BBC News at Ten.

Israel-Gaza: Palestinian Prime Minister Calls for Immediate Ceasefire - BBC News

Oct 25, 2023 | Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who is based in the occupied West Bank, has called for an immediate ceasfire. Speaking to BBC Newsnight, he called for the "immediate opening of a safe passage for international aid". Also speaking on the programme, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy said: "Israel is united now around a single goal and that goal is total victory against Hamas, in response to the October 7 massacre."

UK PM Rishi Sunak Tells Israel 'We Want You to Win' - BBC News

Oct 19, 2023 | UK PM Rishi Sunak has met Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. The leaders met for talks on Thursday during Mr Sunak's two-day visit to Israel. The most serious escalation in the conflict in decades erupted on 7 October, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing more than 1,400 people. Israel is continuing to heavily bomb Gaza, and the health ministry in Gaza has said more than 3,700 people have been killed in Israeli strikes.

Israel Troops Taking Positions Near Gaza Border - BBC News

Oct 15, 2023 | Israel has warned 1.1m Palestinians living in north Gaza to evacuate south, as it prepares to attack "by land air and sea".

The UN's aid agency told the BBC that Gaza is "being pushed into an abyss".

The US has sent a second aircraft carrier to the region to "deter hostile actions against Israel". Meanwhile, Iran has warned of "far-reaching consequences" if Israel continues attacking. And tension is rising on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, too. An Israeli civilian has been killed near there by a missile fired from Lebanon.

Israel’s Evacuation Order to Northern Gaza ‘Impossible’, Says UN - BBC News

Oct 13, 2023 | Israel has given a 24-hour deadline for everyone in the northern part of the Gaza Strip - home to about 1.1 million people - to evacuate to the south, the UN has said.

Israeli military directly addressed Gaza City residents, telling them to leave for their "safety and protection".

The warning comes as Israel is expected to launch a ground offensive into Gaza to root out militant group Hamas.

The UN wants the evacuation order withdrawn, warning that it is "impossible" and could lead to "devastating humanitarian consequences".

Israel Rules Out Aid to Gaza until Hamas Releases Hostages - BBC News

Oct 12, 2023 | The situation in Gaza is "dire", with food and water running out, according to the UN's World Food Programme. Israel says its blockade of Gaza will not end until Hamas releases Israeli hostages. 1,300 people have died in Israel since Saturday’s deadly attacks, and more than 1,400 have died in Gaza.

New Israeli Strikes on Gaza as Troops Mass on the Border 'to Execute the Mission' - BBC News

Oct 11, 2023 | The Israeli military says hundreds of thousands of troops are near the Gaza border "ready to execute the mission we have been given".

Israel is expected to launch a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip soon - it says the mission is to "make sure Hamas won't have any military capabilities".

The death toll in Israel has reached 1,200 - while more than 900 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

The head of the Palestinian Energy Authority says Gaza's only power station will run out of fuel today.

Israel-Gaza Conflict: What Is Hamas? - BBC News

Oct 9, 2023 | Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist militant group which rules the Gaza Strip. It is sworn to Israel's destruction and has fought several wars with Israel since it took power in Gaza in 2007. In between those wars, it has fired or allowed other groups to fire thousands of rockets at Israel, and carried out other deadly attacks.

Israel has also repeatedly attacked Hamas with air strikes, and, together with Egypt, has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007 in what it says is for its security.

Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union and the UK, as well as other powers.

Hamas is backed by Iran, which funds it and provides weapons and training.

The BBC's Analysis Editor Ros Atkins explains.

Israel Retaliatory Air Strike Kills At Least 198 Palestinians - BBC News

Oct 7, 2023 | At least 198 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory air strikes in the Gaza Strip, health officials have said. Palestinian officials launched a surprise rocket attack on Israel in the early hours of Saturday, while dozens of gunmen from the militant group Hamas infiltrated the country. At least 40 people in Israel were killed, with hundreds more being treated in hospitals, according to emergency services.

Hunter Biden Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Gun Charges - BBC News

Oct 3, 2023 | Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, has entered a not guilty plea to charges of illegally owning a handgun at a Delaware courthouse.

Prosecutors allege that the 53-year-old lied about his drug use on application forms when he purchased the weapon in 2018.

Biden has acknowledged that he was a heavy user of crack cocaine at the time, but he denies breaking the law. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the three federal counts.

Three People Killed and Teenager Held over Bangkok Mall Shooting - BBC News

Oct 3, 2023 | Three people have been killed in a shooting at a luxury shopping mall in the centre of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, medics say. Four other people were injured in the incident, including a foreign national.

A suspect - a 14-year-old boy - has been arrested after surrendering. He had been using a handgun, police said.

The prime minister said the situation had been brought under control and police were clearing the scene, according to the AFP news agency.

Ukraine War: EU Ministers Meet in Kyiv Following US Funding Concerns - BBC News

Oct 2, 2023 | European Union foreign ministers are meeting in Kyiv in a show of support following signs Western resolve may be wavering.

The European Union’s most senior diplomat, Josep Borrell, has told the BBC that he is worried by the US’ decision not to include new support for Ukraine in a short-term funding deal.

The temporary measure, pushed through to avert a government shutdown, did not include $6bn (£4.92bn) in military aid for Kyiv - a top White House priority.

President Joe Biden has said the US will continue to support Ukraine.

Joe Biden Vows to Support Ukraine, Despite US Budget Fiasco - BBC News

Oct 2, 2023 | US President Joe Biden has vowed continued US support for Ukraine, after further military funding was excluded from a budget deal.

The temporary measure, pushed through to avert a government shutdown, did not include $6bn (£4.92bn) in military aid for Kyiv - a top White House priority.

Republicans oppose further military aid, with many openly opposing Mr Biden's approach to the war.

Refugees: UK Home Secretary Braverman Questions Asylum for 'Simply Being Gay or a Woman' - BBC News

Sep 27, 2023 | Fearing discrimination for being gay or a woman should not be enough to qualify for international refugee protection, the UK home secretary has said.

Addressing a US think tank on Tuesday, Suella Braverman questioned whether the application of the UN's 1951 Refugee Convention is "fit for our modern age". Laws have morphed from helping those fleeing persecution to those fearing bias, she argued.

Labour accused her of having "given up on fixing" the asylum system.


Related video and comments by me here.

AUF DEUTSCH:

London will UN-Flüchtlingskonvention einschränken: Verfolgung müsse wieder gut begründet werden, sagt die britische Innenministerin Suella Braverman. Ihr Vorstoß ist auch eine Reaktion auf Entscheidungen britischer Gerichte. »

China Sentences Uyghur Scholar to Life in Jail – BBC News

Sep 24, 2023 | A prominent Uyghur academic has been reportedly jailed for life by China for "endangering state security".

Professor Rahile Dawut is an expert on Uyghur folklore and traditions and had been teaching at Xinjiang University College of Humanities before her arrest.

The 57-year-old lost her appeal last month.

China denies allegations of crimes against humanity towards the Uyghur population located in northwest China.

Ukraine War: Zelenskyy Speaks in Canada after Strike on Crimea Navy Base - BBC News

Sep 22, 2023 | Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has addressed the Canadian parliament, praising the country's commitment to "defending freedom."

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau welcomed Zelenskyy and pledged C$650m in aid for Ukraine. The three-year "predictable, steady support for Ukraine" will include some 50 armoured vehicles as well as training for F-16 pilots, he says. This comes after Ukraine mounted a missile strike on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea navy in Crimea.