The Labour Party’s stance on the ongoing war in Gaza has cost them seats in the recent UK general election, as Muslim voters in key constituencies turned away from the party. Labour’s leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has been criticized for his support of Israel’s right to defend itself and his reluctance to call for a ceasefire. This shift in voter sentiment could force Starmer to reconsider his position on the conflict and its impact on the British Muslim community.
Israel has unfrozen and released $140 million in tax and customs duties to the Palestinian Authority, marking a significant step back from a policy of withholding funds implemented during the recent Gaza war. The move comes despite continued tensions and accusations of Palestinian Authority support for Hamas.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, launched over 200 rockets at Israeli military bases in retaliation for the killing of one of its senior commanders. Israel intercepted many of the rockets and reported no casualties. The incident raises concerns of escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, potentially leading to a full-scale war.
The ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in a devastating toll on children, with an average of 10 children losing one or both legs daily, according to the UNRWA chief. The agency is facing a severe funding crisis, with its cash reserves expected to run out by the end of August.
US envoy Amos Hochstein has urged for an immediate de-escalation of the escalating border conflict between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israeli forces, advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the violence. Hochstein’s call for de-escalation comes amidst heightened tensions fueled by attacks on both sides of the border, and he emphasizes the urgency for a ceasefire to ensure the safety of civilians.
Britain’s approval of arms export licenses to Israel has significantly decreased since the start of the Gaza war, dropping to a 13-year low. While other countries like the US and Germany have increased arms sales to Israel, the UK’s approval for the period between October and December 2023 fell to a mere $1.09 million, a sharp decline from the £20 million approved in the same period in 2022. The UK government continues to issue licenses for certain military items, including components for aircraft and small arms ammunition for training, but the majority of recent approvals have been for non-lethal items such as body armor and military helmets. The decrease in arms sales comes amid criticism from politicians and human rights groups regarding the lack of transparency and public information surrounding these sales. Several other countries, including Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands, have imposed restrictions on arms exports to Israel due to concerns about how the weapons might be used.
The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) is a futuristic and path-breaking initiative that aims to stimulate economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe. Designed under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), the IMEC comprises two separate corridors: an east corridor connecting India to the Arabian Gulf and a northern corridor connecting the Arabian Gulf to Europe. The corridor envisages a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network for goods and services, as well as the laying of cables for electricity and digital connectivity, and a pipeline for clean hydrogen export. Despite its immense potential, the IMEC has serious missing links that were highlighted by the Gaza war. The conflict disrupted trade through the Red Sea and led to threats of closure of the Strait of Hormuz, exposing the vulnerability of the corridor’s current structure. To address these concerns, the inclusion of Oman to the east and Egypt to the west is vital, as they provide safe and direct alternative routes that can insulate the IMEC from future disruptions. By incorporating these critical missing links, the IMEC can become a more robust and resilient corridor that will contribute to regional economic growth and stability.
Israeli television has released previously unreleased footage showing the capture of five female army conscripts by Hamas gunmen during the attack that sparked the Gaza war in October. The families of the captives hope the footage will pressure Israel to negotiate a truce and secure their release. Hamas has called the video ‘manipulated’ and claims the soldiers were treated ethically.
The parents of an Israeli-German girl who was killed during the Gaza war in October 2022 have finally identified and returned her body after seven months. Shani Louk’s remains were recovered in Rafah by Israeli soldiers on Friday along with the bodies of two other war hostages.
A former US military intelligence official, Harrison Mann, has resigned over his moral objections to US support for Israel’s war in Gaza. In a letter to his colleagues, Mann expressed his guilt and shame for helping to advance a policy that he believes has contributed to the mass killing of Palestinians.
