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Belgium will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly on September 9, 2025, contingent on Hamas releasing all Israeli hostages and relinquishing political control in Gaza. The move aligns with France and the UK, signaling increased European pressure on Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Belgium will also impose 12 sanctions on Israel, including bans on settlement goods and restrictions on Israeli officials.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog is in the UK for a three-day visit, meeting with UK officials and facing protests and calls for legal investigations over alleged war crimes. Security measures are heightened as tensions over Gaza escalate internationally.
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Volker Turk, UN human rights chief, condemned Israel for mass killing and destruction in Gaza, citing war crimes and possible genocide. Israel rejects these accusations, citing self-defense after Hamas attacks. The conflict has caused extensive civilian suffering and international condemnation, with ongoing calls for accountability.
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On September 11, 2025, UK Prime Minister ordered the withdrawal of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US following revelations of emails showing a deeper relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than previously known. The emails included Mandelson urging Epstein to "fight for early release" before Epstein's 2008 prison sentence. Mandelson had earlier described Epstein as "my best pal" in a 2003 birthday book compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell.
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Amid ongoing Gaza conflict, Britain hosts a major arms exhibition with Israeli companies present despite government exclusion of Israeli officials. Protests and international criticism highlight tensions over arms sales and diplomatic stance, as UK considers recognizing a Palestinian state and faces pressure over its defense industry’s role in the conflict.
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On September 9, 2025, Israel launched a missile strike in Doha targeting Hamas political leaders, killing five members including a Qatari security official. The attack, condemned internationally and by Qatar as a violation of sovereignty, risks undermining US-backed Gaza ceasefire talks. The US expressed regret over the strike's location but affirmed the goal of eliminating Hamas. Qatar's prime minister is engaging US officials to address the fallout.
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Israel launched an unprecedented airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, killing at least six people, including a Qatari security officer. The attack occurred during ongoing ceasefire negotiations and drew widespread international condemnation. The US and Qatar are discussing regional security responses amid rising regional instability.
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Keir Starmer condemned Israel's strike on Qatar and urged a change in Gaza tactics amid protests and diplomatic tensions. Israeli officials, including President Herzog, defended their actions and met with UK leaders, highlighting ongoing conflicts and international reactions as of September 11, 2025.
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Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian academic kidnapped in Baghdad in 2023, was released on September 13, 2025, after negotiations involving Iraqi, Lebanese, and Israeli actors. Her release coincided with a broader regional exchange, including Hezbollah and Iraqi prisoners, amid ongoing Middle Eastern tensions.
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Senator Rubio traveled to Israel and Qatar amid ongoing Gaza conflict, emphasizing US support for Israel, discussing military plans, and addressing recent Israeli strikes in Doha targeting Hamas leaders. The visit occurs as regional tensions escalate and diplomatic efforts face setbacks.
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On September 16, 2025, a UN commission led by Navi Pillay released a 72-page report concluding that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza since October 2023. The report cites killings, aid blockages, forced displacement, and destruction of a fertility clinic as evidence, naming Israeli leaders including Netanyahu as responsible. Israel rejects the findings as false and politically motivated.
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Aid organizations warn that Israel's military offensive in Gaza has caused a humanitarian catastrophe, with over 65,000 Palestinians killed and nearly a million displaced. They accuse Israel of committing genocide, urging urgent international intervention amid ongoing violence and destruction.
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The UK has formally recognized Palestine as an independent state, aligning with France, Canada, and Australia, in a move driven by concerns over Israeli actions in Gaza. The decision aims to support a two-state solution but faces opposition from the US and Israel, amid ongoing violence and diplomatic tensions.
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As several countries recognize Palestine at the UN, Israel, led by Netanyahu, condemns the move, calling it a reward for terror. Netanyahu plans to respond after his UN visit, with discussions on annexation of West Bank areas, amid protests and international tensions.
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Two years after the 2023 attack that shocked the Jewish world, Israel's response and the global Jewish community's support have evolved. The conflict's aftermath has deepened divisions within Jewish communities worldwide, affecting perceptions of Zionism and Israel's political direction amid rising antisemitism and diplomatic challenges.
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Two years after Hamas’s attack on Israel, commemorations took place alongside ongoing debates about mourning during Sukkot. Large memorial events in Israel reflected national grief, with some urging remembrance during the holiday’s joyful traditions, amid ongoing tensions and hostage concerns.
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On October 2, 2025, Jihad al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, attacked the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, killing two Jewish men and injuring three others. Al-Shamie called police during the attack, pledging allegiance to ISIS, and was shot dead by police within minutes. Investigations continue, with no ongoing public threat. The UK government is responding with measures to combat antisemitism, especially in universities.
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After two years of captivity, 20 hostages were released overnight, marking a significant step in Gaza-Israel peace efforts. The agreement, facilitated by US President Trump and regional mediators, includes a ceasefire, troop withdrawals, and prisoner exchanges. International leaders have welcomed the development, emphasizing hopes for long-term peace.
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As of mid-October 2025, former President Donald Trump has secured a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, hailed as a 'historic dawn' in the Middle East. Trump leveraged private diplomacy, pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and rallying Arab states, including Qatar and Egypt, to support the agreement. Despite praise, key issues like Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal remain unresolved.
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On October 13, 2025, President Donald Trump declared the Gaza war over as a ceasefire took effect and the first seven hostages were released by Hamas. Trump visited Israel, met with Netanyahu and hostage families, and will co-host a peace summit in Egypt. The deal includes prisoner releases, partial Israeli troop withdrawal, and plans for Gaza's governance, though key issues remain unresolved.
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On October 13-14, 2025, US President Donald Trump secured a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending two years of war in Gaza. The deal included the release of 20 surviving hostages by Hamas and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners by Israel. Trump signed the agreement with regional leaders in Egypt, launching a phased peace plan involving governance reforms and international oversight.
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Israel has identified the remains of Captain Daniel Perez and Eliyahu Margalit, both killed during Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The bodies were returned from Gaza amid ongoing efforts to recover all missing captives and resolve long-standing grief for families. The process continues as authorities work to identify remaining bodies and fulfill commitments under the ceasefire.
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Israel has rejected Turkey's involvement in an international peace force in Gaza, citing longstanding hostility. The U.S. is working to establish a stabilization force following a ceasefire brokered by President Trump, but Israel's opposition complicates the deployment of troops from Turkey and other nations. The ceasefire includes returning hostages and addressing ongoing violence.
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On November 4, 1995, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing extremist. Commemorations this year highlight ongoing political polarization, incitement, and calls for unity amid recent conflicts and societal tensions, with leaders emphasizing the importance of peace and democratic values.
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Hamas claims it will hand over three more hostages' bodies as tensions rise in Gaza. Israel accuses Hamas of stalling, while both sides report violations of the ceasefire. The conflict continues with ongoing Israeli strikes and casualties in Gaza, despite the fragile truce.
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Israeli forces confirmed the recovery of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin's remains in Gaza, more than a decade after his death in 2014. Hamas handed over the body amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations, with Israeli forensic experts expected to verify his identity. Goldin's return marks the 24th hostage remains returned since October 10 ceasefire.
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Hadar Goldin's remains, held in Gaza since 2014, were returned to Israel on Sunday, ending an 11-year campaign by his family. The return follows the recent ceasefire and the release of other hostages, marking a significant moment of closure amid ongoing conflict.
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On November 12, 2025, former US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging a full pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the ongoing corruption trial politically motivated. Herzog's office responded that any pardon request must follow formal procedures, and Netanyahu or his family have yet to submit such a request. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing amid a trial that began in 2020. Separately, Israel has appealed to the International Criminal Court to disqualify ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations, challenging his arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.
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Settler violence in the West Bank has intensified, with recent attacks including torching homes, mosques, and vehicles. Israeli officials condemn the violence, but settlement expansion continues amid international criticism and ongoing tensions linked to Gaza war and potential annexation.
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Over the past week, Israel has returned the remains of several hostages and fallen soldiers from Gaza, including Hadar Goldin and Itay Chen, ending long campaigns for their repatriation. The process highlights ongoing tensions over the handling of remains and the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
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Settler violence in the West Bank has intensified, targeting mosques and Palestinian property. Recent attacks include vandalism, arson, and graffiti, with Israeli officials condemning the violence. The incidents coincide with broader regional tensions and international concern over stability and security in the area.
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New York City Mayor Adams met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Tel Aviv to reaffirm the city’s support for Israel and discuss rising antisemitism. Adams emphasized the importance of the city’s relationship with Israel amid political tensions and concerns over future leadership in NYC, with the incoming mayor Mamdani’s critical stance on Israel.
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Last month, Hamas released the last Israeli hostages following a ceasefire brokered by Trump. The freed individuals, including twins Gali and Ziv Berman, expressed gratitude and emphasized the ongoing need to recover remaining captives. Trump met with the hostages at the White House, highlighting US support for Israel amid ongoing tensions.
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The UN Security Council approved a resolution supporting a multinational force to oversee Gaza's ceasefire and security, including training a Palestinian police force and demilitarization efforts. Israel and Palestine respond differently, amid ongoing tensions and military actions.
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Several European broadcasters, including Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands, announced they will boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, citing concerns over Gaza's humanitarian crisis and political interference. The EBU plans rule changes to address voting manipulation, but a vote on Israel's inclusion is imminent.
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On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, DC. Both were critically wounded and later confirmed dead. The suspect, also wounded, was taken into custody. The shooting occurred amid ongoing controversy over President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to combat crime in Democratic-run cities.
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On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded in a targeted shooting near the White House. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who arrived in the US via the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome in 2021, was taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries. President Trump ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington, DC.
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On November 30, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally requested a presidential pardon amid his ongoing corruption trial. Netanyahu denies charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, arguing the trial divides Israel. The request follows a letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump urging pardon to aid national unity. President Herzog will review the request with legal counsel.
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Several European countries, including Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia, have announced they will not participate in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna due to disagreements over Israel's participation amid the Gaza conflict. The European Broadcasting Union faces a divided stance, with some nations threatening to boycott if Israel is allowed to compete. The decision hinges on ongoing debates about political interference and contest neutrality.