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The 200 British citizens trapped in Gaza could be classed a “hostages”, according to a government minister.

Robert Halfon was asked about reports that foreign nationals who were in the Hamas-controlled territory when the conflict with Israel broke out are not being allowed to leave.

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The minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education told Sky News: “If people are being kept in a place against their will, are not allowed to travel out, then that is a form of hostage taking.

“It shows the nature of Hamas, it shows what Israel has to deal with and explains why the government has said that it supports Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Last night Joe Biden’s White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Egypt and Israel were prepared to allow foreign nationals to leave Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

But he said the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the bombarded territory, had not agreed to terms that would grant foreigners an opportunity to depart for Egypt and reach it safely.

Hundreds of foreign nationals are thought to be trapped, including around 200 British citizens.

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Sky’s Kay Burley asks Education Minister Robert Halfon about the 200 British nationals thought to be being prevented from leaving Gaza.

Last week, UK Border Force teams were sent to Egypt so they are prepared to help the British nationals escape from Gaza if and when the crossing is opened to foreign nationals.

But Mr Sullivan told CBS News: “The challenge right now is that the Egyptians are prepared to let Americans and other foreign nationals out of Gaza.

“The Israelis have no issue with that. But Hamas is preventing their departure and making a series of demands.”

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Those stuck in Gaza have dealt with communication blackouts, the threat of Israeli air strikes and a lack of food and water after Israel blockaded essential services in response to Hamas’s deadly attack on 7 October, which killed at least 1,400 people.

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said his in-laws, who are trapped in Gaza having travelled to visit family there ahead of Hamas’s assault, have run out of drinking water.

World leaders raised the plight of trapped foreigners in a series of phone calls over the weekend, as Israel ramped up its ground offensive.

Rishi Sunak and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte discussed “efforts to support British and Dutch nationals in Gaza”, and the prime minister also spoke about efforts to “get foreign nationals out” with French President Emmanuel Macron, Downing Street said.

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It comes as diplomatic efforts continue to secure the release of the 220 people Hamas physically took hostage from inside Israel when it launched its attack.

Only four people have been set free so far, with a Hamas leader telling Sky News last week they will all be released only if the right conditions are met – including Israel reducing the intensity of bombing in Gaza.

Since then, fighting has intensified with Israel launching a ground operation.

Mr Sunak will hold an emergency COBRA meeting in the UK to discuss “domestic security” as the conflict escalates, while Labour’s shadow foreign secretary David Lammy is embarking on a three-day tour of the Middle East to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the release of hostages and regional de-escalation.

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Cboe files to list staked Injective ETF from Canary Capital

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Cboe files to list staked Injective ETF from Canary Capital

Cboe files to list staked Injective ETF from Canary Capital

The Cboe has filed to list Canary Capital’s staked Injective ETF, potentially making it the third staked crypto ETF following Solana and Ether.

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US seeks to claim $2.4M in Bitcoin seized from ransomware group

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US seeks to claim .4M in Bitcoin seized from ransomware group

US seeks to claim .4M in Bitcoin seized from ransomware group

The US is seeking the forfeiture of 20.2 BTC seized by the Dallas FBI from the Chaos ransomware group, adding to the country’s proposed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

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Trump reignites row with ‘nasty’ Sadiq Khan as Starmer responds

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Trump reignites row with 'nasty' Sadiq Khan as Starmer responds

Donald Trump has reignited his row with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan after calling him a “nasty person” who has done “a terrible job”.

During an hour-long news conference with Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland, the US president hit out at the Labour mayor, who has responded with his own snipey remarks.

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Asked if he would visit London during his state visit in September, Mr Trump said: “I will, I’m not a fan of your mayor, I think he’s done a terrible job.

“A nasty person, I think.”

The prime minister then interrupted and said: “He’s a friend of mine.”

But the president added: “I think he’s done a terrible job but I will certainly visit London, I hope so.”

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Sir Sadiq’s spokesperson then released a statement saying: “Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world.

“He’d see how our diversity makes us stronger not weaker; richer, not poorer.

“Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his presidency.”

The Right Honourable Sir Sadiq Khan after receiving the Honour of Knighthood during an Investiture ceremony.
Pic: PA
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Sir Sadiq Khan was knighted in June. Pic: PA

They noted that Sir Sadiq has won three mayoral elections, including when Mr Trump lost the US election in 2020.

This is not the first time Mr Trump and Sir Sadiq have locked horns.

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Prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer (right) and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan lays a wreath at the 7/7 Memorial, in Hyde Park, London, to mark
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The PM told Mr Trump that Sir Sadiq is a friend of his – seen here laying wreaths for the anniversary of the 7/7 bombings. Pic: PA

During his first presidential term, Mr Trump called the London mayor a “stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London”.

Sir Sadiq then described Mr Trump as a “poster boy for racists”.

And in November 2024, after Mr Trump won his second term, Sir Sadiq said many Londoners would be “fearful” about what it would “mean for democracy”.

However, as Sir Keir tried to show diplomacy with Mr Trump after becoming PM, Sir Sadiq said he “wanted to work closely with the American president” ahead of his inauguration in January.

The London mayor said as somebody “who believes in democracy, and voting and elections, we should recognise the fact that Donald Trump is the elected president of the United States”.

But he added: “Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this president is different from the last time he was president.”

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