Netanyahu says he wants to lessen Israeli dependence on US weapons Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for strengthening Israel's military autonomy and lessen their reliance on the US. “I want independence in terms of arms,” he declared during a meeting Thursday with a group of reserve officers in the occupied West Bank. "We need our own autonomous weapons system.
Replacing Starmer with Burnham is not enough to save Labour Submitted by Tom Blackburn on Mon, 06/22/2026 - 20:32 The removal of an unpopular leader leaves many questions unanswered, including how to reunite a deeply divided party A tractor displaying a protest sign denouncing the governing Labour Party is driven through the streets near Parliament Square in central London on 3 March 2026 (Brook Mitchell/AFP) Off There will be few tears shed at the news of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation, except perhaps his own . By the end of his tenure, Starmer could command neither authority nor affection, whether within the Labour Party or across the country at large. Last month’s local, Senedd and Holyrood election results confronted Labour MPs with the reality that many of them were facing wipeout; as soon as a credible alternative candidate emerged, they were always going to move against Starmer, who had long since become an electoral liability.
‘Killed pursuing her dream’: Gaza girl on her way to school dies in Israeli drone strike Submitted by Maha Hussaini on Tue, 06/23/2026 - 09:23 Determined to continue her education despite war and displacement, Raghad Ashour was killed before she could realise her dream of attending university Raghad Ashour, 17, was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza City on 22 June 2026 (X) Off Just days before her preparatory classes for secondary school exams were due to begin, 17-year-old Raghad Ashour rejected a marriage proposal, determined to complete her education first. On Monday morning, the Palestinian teenager left her family’s makeshift tent in central Gaza City and set off for a nearby learning centre. She never arrived.
Iran will be 'only country' to determine how to use unfrozen assets: ambassador Tehran alone will decide how to use its frozen assets once they are unfrozen under a US-Iranian deal towards ending the Middle East war, an Iranian ambassador said Tuesday, contradicting US claims. As part of the deal under negotiation, Washington has agreed to release $12 billion in frozen funds to Iran, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday, and temporarily suspend sanctions on oil from the Islamic republic. US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that Iranian assets had not yet been unfrozen as part of the deal and that, if they were, they could be used to buy US goods such as soybeans and would not fund terrorism.
Israeli fire kills one in south Lebanon: state media At least one person has been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon, according to state media. “A young man was killed and two others were injured” when Israeli soldiers “opened machine gun fire in their direction while they were standing near an excavator which was clearing a road” in a locality near the town of Nabatieh, said the National News Agency.
Itamar Ben Gvir: How the man keeping Netanyahu in office rose to power Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 18:09 Notorious for provocative rhetoric and overseeing brutal treatment of Palenstinian prisoners, he has been able to galvanise supporters on the far right Itamar Ben Gvir, pictured here on 6 October 2022, is pivotal to the chances of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government staying in power after this year's general election (AFP) On Itamar Ben Gvir was once regarded as too extreme for the Israeli political mainstream. But the former youth activist has surged in popularity during the past decade to become the country’s national security minister and one of the best known figures in the country. Since the start of the genocide in Gaza in 2023, his reputation has spread worldwide, driven by incendiary actions and rhetoric against Palestinians and their supporters.
Even if Netanyahu is voted out, Israel's ethnic cleansing agenda will continue apace Submitted by Antony Loewenstein on Fri, 06/19/2026 - 16:45 Palestinians are being attacked and displaced on a regular basis - and none of the prime minister's potential successors elucidate a different future An Israeli settler stands among Israeli forces gathering near Palestinian protesters in the village of Idna, in the occupied West Bank, on 5 June 2026 (Hazem Bader/AFP) On Naftali Bennett, the former Israeli prime minister and aspirant for the top job in this year’s election, was upset. He slammed Benjamin Netanyahu after the recent announcement of a deal between Tehran and Washington, arguing that the current prime minister had squandered a unique opportunity. Bennett praised the “extraordinary performance” of the Israeli army and security forces on the front lines during the war with Iran , “and the courage of the Israeli public on the home front”.
Video: Pro-Israel group chief boasts about targeting Francesca Albanese Hillel Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, a pro-Israel NGO, speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit, detailed his organisation’s efforts to lobby the US to sanction UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. Neuer explained that the sanctions against Albanese were prompted by her remarks about the influence of the "Jewish lobby" in America, as well as her comments regarding the 7 October attacks. “As you know, I don't have to tell this audience, she has said that America is controlled by the Jewish lobby," he said.
Morning update The United States and Iran took another step toward implementing their memorandum of understanding after negotiations in Switzerland produced agreements on sanctions relief, nuclear inspections and the release of frozen Iranian assets. While both sides highlighted progress, disagreements remain over how released funds can be used and over ongoing tensions in Lebanon. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said an agreement had been reached to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
Iranian president says effectiveness of talks depends on commitment to obligations Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said progress in negotiations with Washington depends on the implementation of commitments already agreed by both sides. "The effectiveness of the talks depends on full commitment to the agreed obligations and their precise implementation," Pezeshkian wrote on X. He added that "progress on this path will be measured by practical adherence to accepted responsibilities" and said that "statements outside the agreed text do not help advance the negotiations.
Channel 13 reports curbs on Israeli army movements in Lebanon Israeli Channel 13 reported that the country's political leadership has issued new limits on military operations in southern Lebanon, allowing action within the "yellow line" against direct threats while prohibiting operations in areas such as Beirut and Tyre. The channel said the move reflects growing pressure from the Trump administration. Quoting a senior Israeli official, it reported: "The message we received in recent weeks from the Americans is clear: You had the right to operate without restrictions, and that's over.
Former Labour leader revives bill on 'Britain's complicity in genocide' Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has reintroduced a bill calling for an independent public inquiry into what he described as "Britain's complicity in genocide" in Gaza. "Keir Starmer has gone – but we will never forget the role his government played in the greatest crime of our time," Corbyn said after the prime minister announced his resignation on 23 June. The bill seeks an inquiry into "UK involvement in Israeli military operations in Gaza, including the supply of weapons, surveillance aircraft and use of Royal Air Force bases".
Iran says it has no obligation to buy US produce Iran's central bank governor has pushed back against President Donald Trump's claim that released Iranian funds will be used to purchase American agricultural products, saying Tehran is under no obligation to do so. Speaking to the Tasnim news agency, Central Bank of Iran Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said the agreement between Iran and the United States allows the first $6 billion of released funds to be used for the purchase of "basic goods and medicine". "We have no obligation to buy agricultural products from the US," Hemmati said, adding that Iran would consider American goods only if their price and quality were more competitive than alternatives from other countries.
Video: Israeli strike in Gaza City kills Palestinian student Israeli forces struck a vehicle in Gaza City’s Rimal neighbourhood on Monday, killing a Palestinian student and leaving three others wounded. Footage from the scene shows civilians rushing to the initial impact site and then scrambling for cover as a second strike occurred. Israeli forces struck a vehicle in Gaza City’s Rimal neighbourhood on Monday, killing a Palestinian student and leaving three others wounded.
White House says Trump will only sign deal serving US interests The White House has said President Donald Trump will not approve any agreement that fails to advance US national interests and security objectives. Speaking to Fox News, a White House spokeswoman said: "President Trump will not sign any agreement that does not serve the country and its national security. " The spokeswoman also pointed to recent movements in energy markets, arguing that the agreement had contributed to lower oil prices.
Israeli newspaper says Turkey poses greater threat to Israel than Iran An analysis published by the Israeli newspaper Maariv argues that Turkey now poses a greater long-term challenge to Israel than Iran, citing Ankara's expanding military capabilities and growing defence industry. The article highlights Türkiye's position as the holder of Nato's second-largest military force and notes that the country has achieved approximately 80 percent self-sufficiency in its defence sector. According to the report, rapid advances in domestic weapons production and military technology have significantly strengthened Turkey's strategic position in the region.
Video: Palestinians rush to collect cement after Israel uses it to seal off tunnel Palestinians in al-Maghazi refugee camp in Central Gaza rushed to collect wet cement that surfaced on the streets after Israeli forces pumped it into a tunnel to seal it off, amid ongoing shortages and the Israeli blockade on construction materials. Residents reported that the cement had overflowed and spilt onto the surface and surrounding streets. Palestinians in al-Maghazi refugee camp in Central Gaza rushed to collect wet cement that surfaced on streets after Israeli forces pumped it into a tunnel to seal it off, amid ongoing shortages and blockades of construction material pic.
Pakistan defence minister says Iran-US deal marks 'political demise of Netanyahu' Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has described the emerging agreement between Iran and the United States as a significant setback for Israel, arguing that its successful implementation could have major political consequences for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Asif said Israel was actively seeking to undermine the diplomatic process between Washington and Tehran. "The Zionist regime is desperate to derail the peace agreement between the United States and Iran," he said.
Displaced families sheltering in Beirut express scepticism over truce Displaced Lebanese sheltering in tents along Beirut's waterfront say they remain unconvinced that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will hold, citing previous collapses of truce efforts and continued uncertainty about returning home. Mohammed Yassin, 60, told Reuters that he was ready to return to his hometown of Houla in southern Lebanon as soon as conditions allowed. "The moment they say the road is open and things are okay," he said.
Netanyahu vows continued Israeli military presence in Lebanon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defence minister Israel Katz and Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir have reaffirmed Israel's intention to maintain its military presence in southern Lebanon and continue operations against Hezbollah. In a joint statement, the three leaders said the Israeli military would continue to "act with determination in order to neutralize threats against our soldiers and our citizens" and would keep targeting what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure. They also said Israeli forces would continue to "maintain the security zone in southern Lebanon".
