Latest news with #LauraWebster
The National
28-04-2025
- Health
- The National
Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 27 Palestinians
Since Israel ended the ceasefire agreement last month, the military has carried out daily strikes on Gaza. It has cut off the territory's two million Palestinians from all imports, including food and medicine, since the beginning of March in what it says is an attempt to pressure the militant group to release hostages. READ MORE: Laura Webster: What happened when I was invited to Israel The daily bombardment and widespread hunger is taking a heavy toll on Gaza's most vulnerable residents, including pregnant women and children. An Israeli air strike hit a home in Beit Lahiya, killing 10 people, including a Palestinian hostage, Abdel-Fattah Abu Mahadi, who had been released as part of the ceasefire. His wife, two of their children and a grandchild were also killed, according to the Indonesian Hospital, which received the bodies. Another strike hit a home in Gaza City, killing seven people, including two women, according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service. Two other people were injured. Late on Sunday, a strike hit a home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing at least 10 people, including five siblings as young as four years old, according to the Health Ministry. Two other children were killed along with their parents, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths, saying the militant group operates in densely populated areas. Israel's attacks on Gaza intensified on October 7 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. READ MORE: Alison Phipps: From First Minister's summit to Gazan education summit Israel's war on Gaza has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, destroying vast areas of Gaza and leaving most of its population homeless. Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas has said it will only release the hostages it holds in return for Palestinian hostages, a complete Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire, as called for in the now-defunct agreement reached in January. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is either destroyed or agrees to disarm and leave the territory. He says Israel will then implement US president Donald Trump's proposal to resettle much of Gaza's population in other countries through what the Israeli leader refers to as 'voluntary emigration'. Palestinians say the plan would amount to forcible expulsion from their homeland after Israel's offensive left much of Gaza uninhabitable. Human rights experts say it is likely to violate international law. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as called for in the ceasefire that Israel ended.
The National
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Second Kneecap clip assessed by police over alleged ‘kill MP' call
Video emerged of the band at a November 2023 gig appearing to show one person from Kneecap saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Earlier in the week, footage emerged of another gig last year in November which seemed to show a band member shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a performance at the Kentish Town Forum, and a Hezbollah flag being displayed. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them. READ MORE: Laura Webster: What happened when I was invited to Israel On Sunday, a Met Police spokesman said: 'We were made aware of a video on April 22, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the counter terrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required. 'We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023.' He also said the force 'are assessing both to determine whether further police investigation is required'. The counter terrorism internet referral unit (CTIRU) is a national counter terrorism policing unit based within the Met's Counter Terrorism Command which is dedicated to identifying terrorist and extremist material online. Police will carry out an investigation if the material breaches UK law. Following former The X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne calling for Kneecap's US work visas to be revoked over their support for Palestine amid the Gaza war at US festival Coachella, the band was dropped by its now-former sponsor and booking agent Independent Artist Group (IAG). The visas held by the band members are understood to no longer be valid and they are in the process of securing a new sponsor ahead of its sell-out October tour in North America. At Coachella, Kneecap displayed messages which read: 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people', 'It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes' and 'F*** Israel. Free Palestine'. On Tuesday, Osbourne called the images 'projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech'. The music manager and wife of Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne wrote on X: 'As someone of both Irish Catholic on my mother's side and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage on her father's side and extensive experience in the music industry, I understand the complexities involved. 'I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap's work visa.' READ MORE: Is the BBC giving far-right voices too much airtime? Experts weigh in Kneecap, made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, alleged on social media they have 'faced a co-ordinated smear campaign', saying their shows have previously 'called out' the conflict in Gaza. They also appeared to suggest they would be taking legal action against the 'malicious efforts'. Earlier in the week, Kneecap's manager Daniel Lambert said the band had received 'severe' death threats after Coachella.
