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I put my ear plugs in and take a step back. The flash from the tank barrel comes first, then the boom.

Snipers to my left open fire. Red machine gun tracer fire zips towards the village and laser guided artillery thuds into walls.

Israeli paratroopers are attacking a mock Hezbollah village. It’s a drill, but any day now it could be for real.

Still of IDF soldiers carrying out drills in the Golan Heights. Alistair Bunkall piece.
Still of IDF soldiers carrying out drills in the Golan Heights. Alistair Bunkall piece.

A decision whether to invade Lebanon has not been made yet, but the Israeli government has made increasingly hawkish statements and all the soldiers I spoke to privately said they thought it would happen.

It would be a bloody war for both sides though. Hezbollah is much bigger, better armed and battle hardened than Hamas, but Israel’s commanders believe they would ultimately prevail.

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Sky News graphic showing the Golan Heights and Israel
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The Golan Heights border Lebanon and was captured from Syria during the Six-Day War of 1967

“We don’t take their readiness lightly,” a senior officer tells us. “And we obviously learn about their readiness and their experience to fully understand our opponents and our enemies.

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A senior IDF officer speaks to Alistair Bunkall in the Golan Heights.

“But it doesn’t intimidate us. I believe that the IDF throughout and my unit especially – are much better trained and equipped than Hezbollah.”

There are daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah across the border, enough in normal times to have started a war already. These are not normal times though, but they are dangerous ones.

Still of IDF soldiers carrying out drills in the Golan Heights. Alistair Bunkall piece.
Still of an IDF military vehicle during drills in the Golan Heights. Alistair Bunkall piece.

The Golan Heights in winter are cold and rainy. Low cloud wraps itself around the hills and the wind whips though the valleys. Think the Peak District, rather than what one might imagine the Middle East to be.

The region has been fought over many times. It is now Israeli occupied land, annexed after the 1967 war and surrounded on one side by Syria, and the other by Lebanon – both enemies of Israel.

Still of an IDF military vehicle during drills in the Golan Heights. Alistair Bunkall piece.

Old Syrian bunkers run deep into the hillsides as a reminder of past wars and past owners of this land.

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Still of IDF soldiers carrying out drills in the Golan Heights. Alistair Bunkall piece.

Today it is again highly militarised, as Israel prepares for another war with Lebanon.

Even if there was a ceasefire, and Hezbollah stopped firing rockets into Israel, it might not be enough to prevent war because the Israelis have been very clear that they want to push Hezbollah back, deeper into southern Lebanon in accordance with a UN resolution.

And if diplomacy doesn’t work, they’ll use the IDF to do it.

Still of an IDF soldier carrying out drills in the Golan Heights. Alistair Bunkall piece.
Still of an IDF military vehicle during drills in the Golan Heights. Alistair Bunkall piece.

Israel also violates that UN resolution by flying through Lebanese airspace and occupying some land that they were supposed to give back under international law.

A diplomatic solution to avoid war will need to work both ways.

But diplomacy, so far, seems to have made little progress and Israel is giving signs that it might be running out of patience.

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Cambodian soldiers returned by Thailand after ceasefire deal

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Cambodian soldiers returned by Thailand after ceasefire deal

Two Cambodian soldiers have been returned by Thailand ahead of a key meeting aimed at maintaining a ceasefire between the countries.

In Bangkok, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said on Friday that two Cambodian soldiers had been sent back, and the remaining 18 were being processed for violating immigration law.

“The Cambodian soldiers intruded on Thai territory and the army took them into custody, treating them based on humanitarian principles,” he said.

In a statement, the Cambodian defence ministry asked Thailand to return all the detained soldiers.

Cambodia is actively engaging in negotiations to secure their release, and reiterates its firm call for their immediate
and unconditional release in accordance with the international humanitarian law,” a ministry spokesperson said.

It follows days of deadly fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border which saw at least 43 people killed and left over 300,000 people displaced.

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July: Sky at scene of deadly rocket attack

The violence – the worst fighting between the neighbours in over a decade – ended with a truce reached on Monday following a push from Malaysia and calls from US President Donald Trump who threatened to hold off tariff negotiations with both countries until fighting ceased.

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Thailand and Cambodia previously faced tariffs of 36% for sending goods to the US, their largest export markets.

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Following further negotiations, they will now pay a 19% tariff, the White House announced on Friday.

Cambodia said Friday it plans to nominate Mr Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize over his intervention, according to its deputy prime minister.

Pakistan said in June it would recommend Trump for the prize for his work in helping resolve a conflict with India.

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Thai evacuees flee border conflict

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Officials from both Thailand and Cambodia will be meeting in Malaysia next week for talks aimed at maintaining the ceasefire along the disputed border.

The two nations have been at loggerheads over border areas for decades, and simmering tensions escalated into an exchange of gunfire, shelling and rockets on last week, with both sides accusing one another of initiating the violence.

Both countries recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia.

Relations between the pair deteriorated sharply after an armed confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier. Nationalist passions on both sides have further inflamed the situation.

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US officials to make ‘highly unusual’ visit to Gaza – amid warnings of ‘politically manmade’ famine

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US officials to make 'highly unusual' visit to Gaza - amid warnings of 'politically manmade' famine

Two senior US officials will visit Gaza later today, amid growing concerns about the scale of the humanitarian crisis.

Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will inspect a food distribution site – and report back to the president immediately.

Our US correspondent David Blevins says the visit “is not unprecedented but is highly unusual … due to obvious security concerns and political sensitivities”.

He added: “I think it reflects the growing concern there is here in the United States about the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe.”

Steve Witkoff meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks
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Steve Witkoff met Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday. Pic: US embassy in Jerusalem

Aid workers on the ground have warned that a “politically manmade famine” is taking place in the territory.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, told The World With Yalda Hakim that “more and more people will continue to die” unless there is urgent change.

Donald Trump has expressed frustration at the lack of aid reaching Palestinians and has repeatedly blamed Hamas – but US government analysis has found no evidence that the militant group is systemically stealing supplies.

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He told reporters yesterday: “It’s terrible what’s occurring there. People are very hungry, you know.

“The United States gave $60m … for food. And, it’s a shame because … I don’t see the results of it. Part of the problem is Hamas is taking the money and they’re taking the food.”

Gaza latest: ‘Children are passing out from hunger’

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Kids are ‘dying silently of hunger’

On Thursday, Mr Witkoff arrived in Israel and held discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – the first meeting between the pair since both Israel and the US withdrew their negotiating teams from Qatar a week ago.

At the time, he claimed that Hamas “shows a lack of desire” to reach a truce.

Under heavy international pressure, Israel has paused fighting in parts of Gaza and airdropped food – although the volume of supplies remains far lower than what aid organisations say is needed.

Palestinians rush to collect humanitarian aid airdropped in central Gaza. Pic: AP
Image:
Palestinians rush to collect humanitarian aid airdropped in central Gaza. Pic: AP

While more aid trucks have entered Gaza, nearly all the lorries are stripped of their cargo by crowds of Palestinians desperate for food, or looted by armed gangs.

The alternative food distribution system run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has also been marred by violence.

Doctor Tom Adamkiewicz, a paediatrician working at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, told Sky News that the majority of the hospital’s patients have signs of malnutrition – and “many children are passing out literally during the day and injuring themselves”.

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Gazan boy arrives in UK for treatment

Separately, German foreign minister Johann Wadephul also arrived in Israel on Thursday on a two-day trip that will also take him to the occupied West Bank.

Germany, traditionally a staunch ally of Israel, has been increasingly critical. Mr Wadephul warned that Israel is “increasingly finding itself in a minority position”.

But he stopped short of moving towards recognising a Palestinian state, something his allies France, the UK and Canada have vowed to do in September if certain conditions are met.

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Meanwhile, Sweden’s prime minister has called on the EU to “freeze” its trade agreement with Israel – with Ulf Kristersson describing the situation in Gaza as “utterly deplorable”.

After visiting Gaza, Mr Witkoff will travel to Russia. He has held extensive talks in Moscow with Vladimir Putin in the past.

The US president has given his Russian counterpart until 8 August to reach a deal to halt the fighting in Ukraine, or else he will impose economic sanctions.

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Gazan boy, 15, given hero’s welcome as he arrives in UK for urgent medical treatment

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Gazan boy, 15, given hero's welcome as he arrives in UK for urgent medical treatment

A 15-year-old boy from Gaza brought to the UK for urgent medical treatment has told Sky News of his joy and relief.

Majd Alshagnobi arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport with his mother and two siblings to a hero’s welcome on Wednesday evening, with well-wishers bearing flowers, gifts, and banners.

It has been a tortuous wait for the teenager, who suffered severe facial injuries in February 2024 when Israeli tank shells exploded near him and a group of friends.

Majd lost part of his face as well as his entire jaw and all his teeth. It has left him and his family traumatised.

His mother, Islam, told me that doctors at the Mamadani hospital in Gaza were shocked that her son survived the incident.

“When Majd first got to the hospital, they thought he was dead because of the severities of the injuries on his face and leg,” she said. “But when he raised his arm, they realised he was still alive.

“All the operating rooms were busy, so they carried out the operation in the kitchen to save him.

“It was very difficult for him to breathe, and they had to feed him through tubes and syringes through his nose. He really suffered.”

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Sky News investigates: Gaza’s deadliest days

Majd stood awestruck at the window of the small central London apartment where his family had been accommodated. He wore a blue surgical mask but gently pulled it down to reveal a smile.

“Thank God I have the opportunity to receive treatment here… that’s the reason I have come. To get treatment,” he said. “Since I arrived, I have felt so much happier.

“We’ve been greeted in such a nice way, with gifts and things to help us.”

But it will take time for the young football fan to come to terms with the trauma he has suffered.

When I ask him what he remembers from his time in Gaza, he replies: “I saw dogs eating bodies and I was terrified, and I thought I was going to die. Stuff like that…”

Majd Alshagnobi's mother Islam
Image:
Majd Alshagnobi’s mother Islam

His mother, who has had to leave two of her children in Gaza with their father, tells me: “Right now my family in Gaza live in tents. We’ve lost our home, we’ve lost our memories, we’ve lost our dreams. Nothing is left in Gaza.

“My two children who are still in Gaza with their father, every day I wake up in fear that they have been killed. Anything could happen to them in Gaza.”

Around 5,000 children have been evacuated from Gaza, with the majority going to Egypt and Gulf countries.

Majd is the third child to come to the UK with the help of the charity Project Pure Hope.

The group of volunteers have been campaigning successive governments for the last 20 months to create a scheme which would allow for the evacuation of 30 to 50 children.

The charity has raised the money to bring the children and their families to the UK, and cover their medical costs, privately.

Read more:
The view from a plane dropping aid to Gaza
Inside Gaza’s Nasser Hospital

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Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government was “accelerating efforts” to evacuate Gazan children who need urgent medical care in the UK.

Omar Din, the co-founder of Project Pure Hope, says it is time for the government to step in and take responsibility.

“We’re hoping following the prime minister’s announcement last Friday, that in the coming days we’ll have some concrete actions,” he said. “The more we wait, the more children die who we could be saving.

“We’ve done this privately because there was no other option available but myself, and members of my founding team, have done lots of this work for Ukrainian refugees previously. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be doing that for Gazans.”

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