LONDON - The UK is working intensively to allow Britons trapped in Gaza to leave, but the border crossing remains closed because of Egypt’s legitimate concerns, ministers said.
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said opening the Rafah crossing to allow aid into Gaza and foreign nationals to escape is a priority, but said Egypt has "legitimate concerns" about the situation.
He also revealed that terror arrests have been made in the UK since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, and said the chanting of jihad on the streets during Saturday's protests London was "completely reprehensible".
Elsewhere, Benjamin Netanyahu faced called to resign as some ex-leaders blamed the situation on a "dysfunctional" government in Israel, while German leaders denounced a rise in antisemitism as thousands of people gathered at a demonstration called to show opposition to antisemitism and support for Israel.
Here are the main stories from today:
1. UK working to free Britons
- Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said the UK is working intensively to allow Britons trapped in Gaza to leave but the border crossing remains closed because of Egypt’s legitimate concerns.
- A small convoy of 20 lorries was allowed to cross into Gaza on Saturday, with a further 17 reported to have made the trip on Sunday, but the UK and relief agencies are pushing for greater access.
2. Israel vows to ramp up strikes
- Israel vowed to ramp up strikes on Gaza to increase pressure on Hamas ahead of an expected ground invasion, urging Gaza City residents to continue moving south "for their safety".
- Speaking after several people were reportedly killed after Israel attacked a “terrorist compound” in Jenin in the West Bank overnight, military spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari told a press conference: "We have to enter the next phase of the war in the best conditions, not according to what anyone tells us. From today, we are increasing strikes and minimising danger."
3. Minister: Chanting jihad 'completely reprehensible'
- Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said on Sunday that terror arrests have been made in the UK since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, but it is up to the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service whether to press charges.
- Speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, Jenrick said the chanting of jihad on the streets during Saturday's protests in London was 'completely reprehensible'.
4. Netanyahu told 'quit now'
- Former Israeli military, political and intelligence officials expressed doubts over the leadership of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a former chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces saying that he should "resign now", while a former intelligence official described the government as "dysfunctional".
- Their comments come amid growing concern in Israel at the government’s attempts to free some of the 200 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, with some families begging the government to negotiate before invading Gaza.
5. Concerns in Germany over antisemitism
- Germany's chancellor and president have denounced a rise in antisemitism in their country in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, with both stressing in separate appearances that it is unacceptable for such hatred to flourish in the nation that perpetrated the Holocaust.
- In Berlin, thousands of people gathered at a demonstration called to show opposition to antisemitism and support for Israel. People carried Israeli flags or posters with photos of some of the people reported to be missing or held by Hamas as hostages.
Where is Gaza?
Gaza, also known as the Gaza Strip, is a densely-populated Palestinian enclave on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, north-east of the Sinai Peninsula.
Bound by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Israel to the north and east and Egypt to the south, it is just 25 miles long and six miles wide.
Gaza is one of two Palestinian territories. The other is the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
