What's happened
Israeli forces have intensified their ground assault on Gaza City, causing significant destruction and casualties, while several countries, including the UK and Canada, prepare to recognize Palestine at the UN. The conflict has led to widespread displacement, famine, and international calls for ceasefire.
What's behind the headline?
The relentless Israeli ground offensive in Gaza City underscores Israel's strategic aim to depopulate and occupy the city, as evidenced by the destruction of neighborhoods and high civilian casualties. The use of remote-controlled explosive vehicles and drone attacks highlights a brutal, technologically advanced approach to urban warfare. Meanwhile, the international community's move to recognize Palestine signals a shift in diplomatic momentum, potentially complicating Israel's military objectives. The recognition by countries like the UK and Canada is a political gamble that could influence future peace negotiations, but it also risks provoking Israeli retaliation, including threats to annex the West Bank. The humanitarian crisis deepens, with Gaza in famine and hundreds of thousands trapped, raising questions about the long-term stability of the region. The conflict's escalation and international responses suggest a protracted and complex struggle that will shape Middle Eastern geopolitics for years to come.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports on the ongoing Israeli ground assault, highlighting the destruction of Gaza neighborhoods and the high Palestinian death toll, with over 31 killed since dawn. Al Jazeera provides detailed accounts of civilian casualties, including the death of at least 76 Palestinians in Gaza City, and describes Israel's tactics, such as drone attacks and forced displacement. Both sources emphasize the humanitarian toll and the intensification of military operations. The New Arab also notes the diplomatic developments, with several countries, including the UK and Portugal, preparing to recognize Palestine at the UN, amidst Israeli threats to annex the West Bank. These recognitions are framed as efforts to bolster Palestinian hopes and regional stability, but Israel views them as threats to its security. The contrasting perspectives reveal a complex picture: one of escalating violence and humanitarian suffering, and another of shifting diplomatic alliances that could influence the conflict's trajectory.
How we got here
The ongoing conflict stems from Israel's military operations in Gaza, aiming to weaken Hamas and control the territory. Recent weeks have seen escalated ground and aerial attacks, with Israel seeking to occupy Gaza City. International recognition efforts for Palestine are gaining momentum amid the violence, with some countries planning to recognize Palestinian statehood at the UN. The situation has worsened humanitarian conditions, with thousands displaced and many in famine, amid fears of a broader regional escalation.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Is the UK Recognizing Palestine Now?
The UK’s decision to recognize Palestine marks a significant shift in its foreign policy amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza. This move raises questions about its impact on regional peace efforts, international diplomacy, and the future of the two-state solution. Below, we explore the reasons behind this recognition and what it could mean for the Middle East.
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What’s Happening in Gaza Right Now?
The conflict in Gaza has escalated significantly, with Israeli forces intensifying their military operations. Thousands of Palestinians are displaced, and the region faces a severe humanitarian crisis. Many are asking what exactly is happening, why the violence has increased, and what the international response is. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about the current situation in Gaza and the broader implications of this ongoing conflict.
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Gaza City, often simply called Gaza, is a city in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and the capital of the Gaza Governorate. Located on the Mediterranean coast, 76.6 kilometres (47.6 mi) southwest of Jerusalem, it was home to Palestine's only port. With a popula
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and
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The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as the main deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country located mostly on the Iberian Peninsula, in southwestern Europe. It is the westernmost sovereign state of mainland Europe, being bordered to the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean and to the nor
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Mark Joseph Carney OC is an economist and banker who served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 until 2013 and the Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.