UK and US split over Israel after British government suspends some arms sales

Published

8 months ago

September 4, 2024

admin

The UK and US have split over their policies in regard to Israel and its war with Hamas, after the government suspended some arms sales to the country.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that 30 of 350 arms export licences to Israel would be suspended.

The move marked the UK’s first wholesale divergence with the US since the 7 October attacks and came as US officials were reaffirming their support for Israel.

Analysis: Netanyahu’s crisis is worsening and Israel may never forgive him

Last week, Kamala Harris told CNN she wouldn’t waver in her backing of Israel.

“Let me be very clear. I’m unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defence and its ability to defend itself,” she said.

Then, on Tuesday, Matt Miller, a spokesman for the US Department of State said the UK’s decision had no bearing on the US and they wouldn’t be stopping arms sales.

He said: “They came to this conclusion. We have reviews that are ongoing.”

Mr Miller did say that the two countries had spoken before the announcement, but that the US position remained unchanged.

Deflecting from a question over how the US felt about the UK’s decision, Mr Miller instead said: “The UK is a sovereign country, it’s a decision for them to make ultimately.”

US announces charges against Hamas leaders

The difference in policy comes as the US announced criminal charges against senior Hamas leaders including Yahya Sinwar, in connection with the 7 October attacks.

The impact of the case is mostly symbolic as Hamas’ newly elected leader Sinwar is believed to be deep in hiding within Gaza and three of the six defendants are thought to be dead.

The charges were initially filed in February under seal but given the death of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in July, and other developments, there was less need for secrecy.

“The charges unsealed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’ operations,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a video statement. “These actions will not be our last.”

Protests for third consecutive night

Meanwhile large protests have continued for the third consecutive night in Tel Aviv, as many Israelis demand their government reach a deal to bring the hostages home.

In the 7 October attack around 1,200 people were killed by Hamas and over 200 people taken hostage – triggering an invasion that has claimed over 40,000 Palestinian lives.

One of Israel’s stated key aims of this war has been to get the hostages home safe, but Mr Netanyahu has come under increasing criticism for his prolonged failure to do so – with many Israelis now holding him responsible for the hostage deaths.

Philadelphi corridor is sticking point

Hundreds took to the streets on Tuesday night following threats of a general strike earlier this week.

One key sticking point in ceasefire talks is Mr Netanyahu’s insistence on Israeli control over the Gaza-Egypt border – in the form of the Philadelphi corridor.

Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and military chief of staff, said Israel’s focus should be on bringing the hostages home instead.

He said Israel could return to the Philadelphi corridor if needed, describing it as an “operational challenge, not an existential threat”.

He was joined in his criticism by another former military chief Gabi Eisenkot.

They resigned from Mr Netanyahu’s cabinet in June, accusing him of putting his own political survival ahead of the country’s interests.

World

Pakistan launches ‘military operation’ against India

Published

4 hours ago

May 10, 2025

admin

Pakistan launches 'military operation' against India

Pakistan has launched attacks on “multiple targets” across India, according to the media wing of Pakistan’s military.

Pakistan said in a statement that retaliatory attacks are underway in response to what it called “continuous provocation” by India, which fired missiles at three air bases inside Pakistan.

“Multiple targets in this operation are being engaged all across India,” the statement from Pakistan Armed Forces (PAF) said.

Pakistan’s military said it used medium-range Fateh missiles to strike more than 25 military sites, including airbases and weapons depots in the Indian states of Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan, as well as locations in India-administered Kashmir.

Pakistan’s military posted footage on X showing missiles being fired from what appeared to be a mobile launcher.

The AP news agency also said loud explosions have been heard in India-administered Kashmir, in the disputed region’s two big cities of Srinagar and Jammu, and the garrison town of Udhampur.

Meanwhile, an Indian military source told Reuters that India has launched air operations in Pakistan, although no further details were given.

The operations mark the latest escalation in a conflict between the two nuclear-armed rivals, triggered by a deadly attack last month in India-administered Kashmir.

Most of the 26 civilians killed were Hindu Indian tourists. India blames Pakistan for backing the assault, an accusation Islamabad rejects.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of the National Command Authority, the body which takes security decisions, including those related to the country’s nuclear arsenal.

State-run Pakistan television said three air bases were struck by India on Friday, although Pakistan insisted most of the missiles had been intercepted.

Despite the military offensive, PAF also posted a message on X in what appeared to represent an opportunity to de-escalate the situation.

“Now that a response has been given we hope the neighbour [India] will move to dialogue and diplomacy like Civilized Nations,” it said.

In recent days, both countries have launched a series of missile and drone strikes, although the scale and impact have been consistently questioned by each other.

On Wednesday, India conducted airstrikes on several sites in Pakistani territory. Pakistan said it shot down five Indian fighter jets.

On Thursday, India claimed to have repelled drone and missile attacks at military targets in more than a dozen cities and towns, including Jammu in India-administered Kashmir. Meanwhile, India claimed it struck Pakistan’s air defence systems and radars close to the city of Lahore.

The Indian army said on Friday that Pakistan fired about 300 to 400 drones, targeting military installations along the western borders – a claim strongly denied by Pakistan.

The G7 group of advanced economies, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US and Britain, urged maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan.

“We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome,” a statement issued on Friday said.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

World

European leaders to meet in Ukraine for ‘coalition of the willing’ talks – and issue call to Russia

Published

4 hours ago

May 10, 2025

admin

European leaders to meet in Ukraine for 'coalition of the willing' talks - and issue call to Russia

Sir Keir Starmer will join other European leaders in Kyiv on Saturday for talks on the “coalition of the willing”.

The prime minister is attending the event alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, recently-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

It will be the first time the leaders of the four countries will travel to Ukraine at the same time – on board a train to Kyiv – with their meeting hosted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Follow latest updates on the Ukraine war

Military officers from around 30 countries have been involved in drawing up plans for the coalition, which would provide a peacekeeping force in the event of a ceasefire being agreed between Russia and Ukraine.

Ahead of the meeting on Saturday, Sir Keir, Mr Macron, Mr Tusk and Mr Merz released a joint statement voicing support for Ukraine and calling on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire.

“We reiterate our backing for President Trump’s calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace,” they said.

“Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.”

The leaders said they were “ready to support peace talks as soon as possible”.

But they warned that they would continue to “ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine” until Moscow agrees to a lasting ceasefire.

“We are clear the bloodshed must end, Russia must stop its illegal invasion, and Ukraine must be able to prosper as a safe, secure and sovereign nation within its internationally recognised borders for generations to come,” their statement added.

“We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine.”

The European leaders are set to visit the Maidan, a central square in Ukraine’s capital where flags represent those who died in the war.

They are also expected to host a virtual meeting for other leaders in the “coalition of the willing” to update them on progress towards a peacekeeping force.

This force “would help regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces after any peace deal and strengthen confidence in any future peace”, according to Number 10.

World

Ten explosions near international airport in India-administered part of Kashmir, officials say

Published

10 hours ago

May 9, 2025

admin

Ten explosions have been heard near Srinagar International Airport in India-administered parts of Kashmir, officials have told Reuters news agency.

The blasts followed blackouts caused by multiple projectiles, which were seen in the sky above the city of Jammu earlier on Friday.

Explosions were also heard in the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, in the neighbouring Punjab state, according to Reuters.

An Indian military official told the agency that “drones have been sighted” and “they are being engaged”.

It comes as tensions between India and Pakistan across the line of control around the region of Kashmir have boiled over this week, leading to fears of a wider conflict.

On Wednesday morning, India carried out missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered parts of the disputed region.

The retaliation came weeks after 26 people, mainly Indian tourists, were shot dead by gunmen in an India-administered part of Kashmir last month.

The government in India said it hit nine “terrorist infrastructure” sites, while Pakistan said it was not involved in the April attack and the sites were not militant bases.

Around 48 people have been killed since Wednesday, according to casualty estimates on both sides – which have not been independently verified.

India also suspended its top cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League, as a result of rising tensions, while the Pakistan Super League moved the remainder of its season to the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a conference on Friday that the US is in constant contact with both India and Pakistan.