War, latest news. Bloomberg, Iran will soon deliver ballistic missiles to Moscow. At least 11 dead in Israeli raid on a school in Gaza. Thousands of protesters block Tel Aviv

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists he will not relent on the issue of the 'Philadelphi Corridor' between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. "The importance of the corridor is crucial to bring the hostages home and ensure that Hamas no longer poses a threat," he said during a press conference.

European officials expect Iran to deliver ballistic missiles to Russia soon, Bloomberg writes, citing its own sources and pointing out that it would be a step that could provoke a quick response from Ukraine's allies. Iran supplied Russia with hundreds of drones during the war against Ukraine but the potential transfer of ballistic missiles would mark a worrying development in the conflict, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Benjamin Netanyahu has promised a 'strong reaction' to the death of the six hostages whose bodies were found in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. And "the intention" of the Israeli premier "is to strike Hamas as Israel has never done before". An Israeli official told CNN.

The British Labour government announced the partial suspension of arms exports to Israel. The decision was announced by Foreign Secretary David Lammy in the House of Commons.

Netanyahu's office rejects Biden's claims that the Israeli PM is not doing enough for a hostage deal: "It is puzzling that Biden is pressuring Netanyahu, who accepted the US proposal as early as 31 May and the bridging proposal on 16 August, and not Hamas leader Sinwar, who continues to vehemently reject any deal," says a senior official reported by Israeli media. Biden's statement "is particularly dangerous, especially since it comes only days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, including an American citizen," he adds.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz urged Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris to back down on the recognition of Palestine after the killing of six Israeli hostages. "The brutal murder of six Israeli hostages by Hamas serves as a warning to all countries that have recognised or are considering recognising a Palestinian state after the 7 October massacre. A Palestinian state would be controlled by Hamas, backed by Iran, and would become a radical Islamic dictatorship, threatening Israel and moderate nations in the region. I urge you to reverse this dangerous step,' Katz said on X, tagging both Sanchez and Harris.

"We will not give up. We will continue to press as hard as we can." This was stated by US President Joe Biden to reporters when asked if he had a message for the families of the hostages. Biden then confirmed that he had spoken in recent hours with the parents of Israeli-American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose lifeless body was found two days ago in the Gaza Strip, along with the bodies of five other hostages.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, where he is scheduled to meet with the country's authorities tomorrow. This was reported by Tass Mongolia is the first country to join the Treaty of Rome, which establishes the International Criminal Court (ICC), visited by Putin after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him on charges of deporting Ukrainian children. The authorities in Ulan Bator would therefore theoretically be obliged to arrest him.

Joe Biden told reporters that a final agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is very close, but that he does not believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing enough to secure such a deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called today's general strike a shameful show of support for Hamas and its leader, Yahya Sinwar. The strike is 'a disgrace. It means saying to Sinwar: you killed six. Here we are here to support you,' Netanyahu said referring to the six hostages murdered by Hamas in recent days, according to the Ynet news site. According to leaked statements from the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu reiterated to the ministers present that soldiers will remain along the Philadelphi Route because "it is essential for Israeli security". It is precisely the prime minister's insistence on not withdrawing from the corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border, in order to prevent arms smuggling by Hamas, that is cited as the biggest obstacle to the ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages.

New protests are expected in Israel this evening. The Forum of the Families of the Hostages and Missing has announced several initiatives starting at 7pm local time, 6pm in Italy. In a post on X the group announces, among the planned initiatives, a 'large-scale demonstration' in Jerusalem, in front of the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a protest in Tel Aviv.

"Every time there is progress towards reconciliation and regional integration in the Western Balkans, the Kremlin tries to foment old conflicts: Russia is constantly working to sow divisions, both within the Western Balkans and between the Western Balkans and the rest of Europe. But the overwhelming majority of the population in the Western Balkans wants integration, not fragmentation'. Ursula von der Leyen said this in Bled, Slovenia.

The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, praised the decision by which the Labour Court ordered an end to the general strike (read below, ndr) proclaimed for today by the Histadrut Labour Federation. "I am grateful for the Labour Court's decision to stop the Histadrut political strike," Ben Gvir said.

Two people were killed this morning in an Israeli attack on a vehicle in southern Lebanon, according to the Beirut Health Ministry. The attack took place near Naqura, the Lebanese border town where the headquarters of Unifil, the UN mission deployed in southern Lebanon and which includes a thousand Italian soldiers, is located. The two victims are Hussein Mahdi and Ali Mahdi, cousins. The former, according to local media reports, was employed by a local cleaning company that also works for Unifil. Hussein Mahdi was also the brother of Abbas Mahdi, a Hezbollah fighter killed on 21 May in an attack also near Naqura. The other victim, Ali Mahdi, had returned for his summer holiday from abroad and was visiting family in his native Naqura. According to the Lebanese government, 129 civilians have been killed in Israeli raids since last October, while more than 300 Hezbollah fighters have died in attacks by the Jewish state. The Lebanese armed movement, allied with Hamas and Iran, has been firing in the Upper Galilee, Israeli territory, since 8 October. Since then, Israel has responded with intense attacks in southern Lebanon, in the Bekaa valley and in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, urged Kiev's partners to grant permission for long-range attacks on Russia after this morning's Russian raid on Kiev. "In defending itself against these two barbaric war machines, Ukraine is forced to fight with its hands tied behind its back. Isn't that absurd?" writes Kuleba in X. According to Kuleba, Russia has launched North Korean missiles and called on its Asian partners to consider increasing military aid to Ukraine.

Il ministro degli Esteri ucraino Dmytro Kuleba. EPA/DUMITRU DORU

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told the families of American hostages in Gaza on Sunday that Joe Biden is considering presenting Israel and Hamas with a final proposal for a hostage release and ceasefire agreement in Gaza by the end of the week, Axios reported, citing two sources with direct knowledge of the meeting. Sullivan and the US Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk, also told family members that they do not know if the agreement will be concluded but that there is a chance and that they hope it can materialise within two weeks.

Biden's two advisers explained to the families of the American hostages that in a few days the US could present an updated version of its compromise proposal to both Israel and Hamas and give the parties another week to answer yes or no. Sullivan and McGurk added that the updated liaison text would include a US proposal on the Philadelphia corridor that they hope Egypt and Hamas can accept.

The Kosovo Serbs will remain where they are despite Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's repeated and increasing attempts to expel them from their legitimate lands. This was stated by the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, referring to the unilateral actions of the government in Pristina, directed according to Belgrade against the Serbian population, most recently the closure of Serbian offices and institutions in northern Kosovo. Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration in Bosnia and Herzegovina of a new health facility in an area inhabited by Serbs, Vucic reiterated the accusations against the leadership in Pristina of conducting a policy of tacit ethnic cleansing and of wanting to trigger new incidents and clashes, threatening peace and stability in the entire region.

Il presidente serbo Aleksandar Vucic (Afp)

The president of the labour court ordered an end to the general strike in Israel at 2.30pm local time, 'after hearing the positions of the parties'. Ynet reports. The injunction comes after heavy pressure from the government on the union not to halt activities in the country, as is happening. Yesterday, a minister from Likud, the same party as the premier, reported Benyamin Netanyahu's strong fears over the huge protests against the government. Yesterday, the Histadrut, the large trade union representing hundreds of thousands of workers, said the strike could continue tomorrow.

REUTERS

Thousands of protesters are blocking several streets in Tel Aviv, where a general strike called after six young hostages were found executed in a tunnel in Gaza is underway. Demonstrators have gathered on Begin Street and are demanding that the government make a deal for the release of the kidnapped hostages who are still being held by Hamas. To the beat of drums, they swear they will not abandon the hostages still in Gaza, demand 'values first' and accuse the government of Israel of acting against the nation. Meanwhile, another demonstration blocked traffic on the Ayalon highway.

A man of Tunisian nationality has been arrested in France on suspicion of having participated in the Madrid bombing in November 2023 in which Alejo Vidal-Quadras, former leader of the Spanish Popular Party and co-founder of Vox, was seriously injured: this was announced by the Iberian National Police, explaining that the arrest was triggered by an international warrant. The arrested man, whose personal details have not been disclosed, is the brother of the alleged material author of the attack and allegedly collaborated in its planning, according to the Spanish police. The man who allegedly shot Vidal-Quadras, who is considered to be linked to the Mocro Maffia (the Moroccan Mafia), had been captured last June in the Netherlands. In all, seven arrests have been made so far for the shooting of Vidal-Quadras. Vidal-Quadras told investigators that he believed the possible instigator of the ambush could be the government of Iran, given its support of political opponents in that country.

Two Colombian soldiers were killed in an attack carried out on the road connecting the municipality of Tame with that of La Cabuya, in the department of Arauca. According to the Army, 'the terrorist action' was committed by the armed group National Liberation Army (Eln). "Troops from the Battalion of Combat Engineers Rafael Navas Pardo, of the 18th brigade, were subjected to an attack with long-range weapons while they were carrying out their constitutional mission of protecting the civilian population at a checkpoint," the Army explained in a note. The intensification of conflict in Colombia puts the 'total peace' attempt launched by the government of the progressive president, Gustavo Petro, to disarm the dissidents of the extinct FARC at further risk.

Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine have a "duty" to shoot down Russian missiles before they enter their airspace, despite NATO opposition. This was said by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski in an interview with the Financial Times online, arguing that Warsaw has an obligation to ensure the safety of its citizens, regardless of fears that interceptions on Ukrainian territory could implicate the Atlantic Alliance in the Russian war against Ukraine. "NATO membership does not exclude the responsibility of each country to protect its airspace: it is our constitutional duty," Sikorski said.

Il ministro degli Esteri polacco Radoslaw Sikorski (Reuters)

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico stated in the sixth and final Government Report that during his administration, more intelligence than force was used in the fight against organised crime, with 'more respect for life'. The Chief Executive compared the lethality rate between his six years in office and those of Felipe Calderón (2006-2012), highlighting some of the data relating to clashes between federal forces and members of the criminal underworld. 'To illustrate this fact,' Obrador explained, 'it is worth remembering that in 2011, during Felipe Calderón's term, there were 1,076 clashes between armed forces and criminal groups. In these, 1,412 people lost their lives. There were 1,027 injured and detained: 285 more killed than wounded and detained. Last year, however, the clashes were reduced to 486 with a total of 271 dead and 442 injured and detained. There was, therefore, less use of force and more respect for life'.

Il presidente uscente del Messico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (Ap)

At least twenty-five people have been confirmed dead in the monsoon rains and floods that have scourged South India over the past two days, forcing several thousand people to evacuate their homes and seek shelter in emergency camps set up by the authorities, Civil Defence officials announced today. The worst affected state is Telangana, with 16 victims, while at least nine people are missing in Andhra Pradesh. The monsoon season has always caused destruction, but according to experts, climate change is altering weather cycles and increasing the number of 'extreme' events.

(Afp)

"Today Ukraine starts a new school year, despite the war and all the challenges. Today is one of the most important days of the year for millions of Ukrainian children, families and teachers'. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote this on Facebook, pointing out that the military shot down 22 out of 30 missiles that Russia fired towards Kiev and two other regions during an attack that wounded three people, just hours before Ukrainian children began their third school year under the Russian invasion. "Overnight, Russia fired a total of 35 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and 23 drones at Ukraine," Zelensky said.

Il presidente ucraino Volodymyr Zelensky (EPA)

Tragic incident in the Japanese city of Yokohama. A 17-year-old student committed suicide by jumping from a shopping centre, but in the fall she plunged into a woman causing her immediate death. The tragedy, writes the BBC online, occurred on Saturday night: the teenager jumped from a building in a busy shopping district, hitting a 32-year-old woman who was outside with her friends. The two were immediately transported to hospital where the girl died within an hour. Shortly afterwards, the woman also died. It is unclear why the student killed herself, although in Japan the beginning of September - which marks the start of the new school year - more people under the age of 18 commit suicide than on any other day, according to official statistics.

Ayachi Zammel, one of the three candidates admitted so far to the presidential elections in Tunisia on 6 October, was arrested this morning in Tunis. According to a member of his campaign, Mahdi Abdeljaouad, on Radio Mosaique, the businessman who heads Azimoun, a small liberal-inspired party, was detained on charges of 'falsifying' signatures in support of his candidacy that the law requires to be submitted in order to run in the presidential elections. Zammel was transferred to a National Guard barracks in Tebourba, about 40 kilometres west of Tunis.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that Moscow forces captured the village of Skuchnoe, in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk, located between Avdiivka and Pokrovsk.

Three cases of infection with the Nile fever virus have been recorded in Slovenia, the first this year. Breaking the news, the National Institute of Public Health (Nijz), quoted by the Sta agency, added that the three cases were all reported from locations in the northeast of the country. No case of Nile fever had been recorded in Slovenia since five in 2018. Previously there had been one case in 2017 and one in 2013.

Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov today accused Ukraine of rejecting an agreement brokered by Turkey that included security guarantees in the conflict for nuclear power plants. According to Lavrov, who was quoted by Russia's Interfax news agency, the clause was contained in a draft agreement drawn up last spring that aimed to renew the understanding on the security of grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports. The foreign minister, speaking at Mgimo University, said that the Ukrainians themselves had asked for the clause on the safety of atomic power plants to be included in the document. "We agreed, but immediately the Ukrainians said no, as it appears they already had plans to bomb nuclear power plants," the Russian diplomatic chief added. A fortnight ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian invasion forces of trying to bomb the Kursk plant.

Serghei Lavrov (Ap)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he believes the Ukrainian offensive in Russia's Kursk region is doomed to failure and that afterwards the 'enemies will have a real desire, not in words but in deeds, to move on to peaceful negotiations and resolve these problems peacefully'. Tass reports. Putin is speaking from a school in Kyzyl, Siberia, on the first day of the new school year.

The military wing of Hamas, the al Qassem Brigades, took responsibility for the two foiled attacks on Friday in Gush Etzion, West Bank, in which two terrorists planned to detonate explosive vehicles in the settlement of Carmi Tzur. The two cars were neutralised by Israeli security forces. Yesterday, the military wing of Fatah had also claimed responsibility for the double attack.

China and Russia are 'allies in every sense of the word', Russian President Vladimir Putin said. "First of all, of course, we are joining forces in the fields of economy, culture and humanitarian ties," Putin stressed again, quoted by the Ria Novosti news agency, speaking to students at a school in Kyzyl, southern Siberia.

Putin e Xi (Ansa)

Finland has unveiled a plan to completely ban property acquisitions by certain foreign nationals, following the emergence of security concerns related to purchases with ties to Russia near critical infrastructure. Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen presented a proposal on Monday to prevent Russians from making acquisitions in the Nordic country. A bill is expected to be presented to parliament by the end of the year. "We must recognise and neutralise risks that, in times of crisis, could pose a serious threat to society's ability to function and the security of the population," Hakkanen said in a statement.

Il ministro della Difesa finlandese Antti Hakkanen

More than a thousand people are protesting in northern Tel Aviv, demanding an agreement to free the hostages still in the hands of Hamas. This was reported by The Times of Israel. A woman, using a megaphone, read out in front of the crowd the names of the 101 people believed to still be held captive by the Palestinian organisation as protesters shouted "now!" for each of them. The protesters then began marching down Namir Road to join the main demonstration on Begin Street.

The co-leader of the German ultra-right AfD Tino Chrupalla said he sees a 'clear electoral mandate' for his party to participate in the government after the regional elections in Thuringia and Saxony. The will of the voters must be 'respected', Chrupalla told broadcaster Wdr. His party is 'ready to talk', he assured. "We will talk to all those who have good intentions for Thuringia or Saxony," Chrupalla said again, pointing out that, in recent months, the Cdu has already moved closer to the AfD on issues of border security and deportations. In social policy, Chrupalla saw 'some overlaps' with the Bsw and referred to issues such as the teacher shortage or the question whether Ukrainian refugees should continue to receive state subsidies.

Tino Chrupalla (Reuters)

About 100 people from the Gvura and Tikva Forum marched this morning in a demonstration in support of the government from the Supreme Court in Jerusalem to the Knesset, shouting slogans such as 'we will not stop until we have victory'. Leading the group was Yehoshua Shani, the father of the late Captain Uri Shani, who was killed in battle in Kissufim on 7 October. The demonstrators stopped in front of the Prime Minister's office to show their support for the operation against Hamas in Gaza.

(Ap)

The former socialist prime minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, arrived at the Elysée Palace this morning for the appointment, the first of a series, that President Emmanuel Macron has set in order to arrive at the nomination of a new premier. The head of state is also due to meet on this day of consultations with his predecessors, François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, the leader of the Républicains, Xavier Bertrand, who is also - like Cazeneuve - mentioned as the possible choice to lead the new government. A meeting with the president of the centrists MoDem, François Bayrou, is also planned.

Bernard Cazeneuve con Emmanuel Macron (Afp)

President Vladimir Putin said that the Ukrainian attempt to stop the Russian offensive in the Donbass by invading the Russian region of Kursk "failed". Moscow "will deal with the Ukrainian bandits" who tried to destabilise the border region, Putin added, quoted by Russian agencies.

Vladimir Putin (Ap)

China is not able to 'fully' invade Taiwan because it lacks the appropriate equipment and facilities, but it is introducing new advanced weapons and has other options for threatening the island, including inspecting foreign cargo ships. This is the assessment made by the island's Ministry of Defence in an annual report sent to the Legislative Yuan, Taipei's parliament, according to which Beijing continues to refine skills for possible aggression, including joint command operations. "However, the use of tactics and strategies against Taiwan is still limited by the nature of the natural geographic environment of the Taiwan Strait and insufficient landing equipment and logistical capabilities," the research noted, in the local media report. China, in other words, 'does not yet fully possess the formal combat capabilities for a full invasion of Taiwan', but is accelerating the development of a number of new weapons, such as the H-20 bomber and hypersonic missiles, and increasing the number of nuclear warheads, while experimenting with new tactics.

(Ansa)

Health authorities in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip estimated that more than 72,600 Palestinian children were vaccinated against polio on the first day of the vaccination campaign, launched after the first case of the disease in 25 years was detected in the enclave amid the Israeli military offensive. The Gaza Ministry of Health indicated in a short message posted on Facebook that 'medical teams from the Centre's governorate were able to vaccinate 72,611 children on the first day of the emergency polio vaccination campaign in Gaza'. The campaign, which aims to vaccinate more than 640,000 children in the enclave against polio in twelve days with the three-stage distribution of 1.3 million doses, began on a large scale yesterday, although vaccines were administered to children at the Naser hospital in the city of Khan Yunis on Saturday.

A day after a large protest demonstration in Israel against PM Netanyahu over the release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, dozens of protesters began blocking Ibn Gvirol street in Tel Aviv, demanding that the government reach an agreement on the release of the prisoners. Protesters also gathered at the Shilat junction, near Modi'in, and blocked a road in the northern city of Rosh Pina. The demonstrations kick off today's general strike, announced yesterday by the Histadrut Labour Federation, to pressure the government to do more to reach an agreement following the recovery of the bodies of six hostages murdered in a tunnel in Rafah.

At least 11 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike against a school housing displaced Palestinians. This was reported by health officials, writes the Guardian. "Eleven people were killed when an Israeli raid hit the Safad school, in Gaza City, which was housing displaced people," said civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal, adding that several people were injured. According to a Gaza medical official, the attack targeted "a room used by the police". For its part, the Israeli army says it targeted 'Hamas terrorists operating from a control centre in an area that was the school in Safad'.

The death toll in the Russian attack in the Donetsk region has risen to five, while 11 were injured. This was reported by the chief

of the regional state administration, Vadym Filashkin, writes Ukrinform. "On 1 September, the Russians killed five residents of the Donetsk region: four in Kurakhove and one in Petrivka. Another 11 were injured during the day,' Filashkin writes on Facebook.

After the bodies of six murdered hostages were recovered by the IDF, UN Ambassador Danny Danon calls on the UN Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to condemn Hamas and 'to address the dire situation of the 101 hostages still held captive in Gaza'. 'Times of Israel' reports. In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Slovenian diplomat Samuel Zgobar, the current president of the Security Council, Danon laments that "the Council has not yet condemned Hamas or acted decisively for the hostages". Danon points out that Israel has accepted proposals for a hostage release agreement, while Hamas continues to reject US-backed formulas.

Two Ukrainian drones were shot down tonight over Russia's Belgorod region and the Black Sea, Moscow says. The oblast authorities report that attacks targeted social and commercial facilities in the capital and other parts of the region, with fires reported in several locations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of 'acting at the request of the West' and announces that he wants to 'remove artificial barriers and restrictions' and 'expand the range of national and international sporting events'. "The current leaders of the IOC, acting at the request of the collective West, primarily the United States, are blatantly disregarding the Olympic ideals they are supposed to defend," Putin says in an interview with the Mongolian daily Onoodor. "Instead of promoting the rights of athletes, the integrity and universality of the Olympic movement they cling to their social position, power and personal prosperity," the Russian president charges. "We will pursue greater democracy in the sports movement, strive to remove artificial barriers and restrictions and expand the range of national and international sports events," Putin added.

"The main cause of the current tragedy in Ukraine is the deliberate anti-Russian policy of the collective West, led by the US". This was stated by the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin in an interview with the Mongolian daily 'Onoodor' before his visit to Mongolia. Putin added that Western politicians have been seeking total control over Ukraine for decades. "Nationalist and anti-Russian organisations were being financed there, systematically propagating the notion that Russia would be Ukraine's eternal enemy, the main threat to its existence," he added. "Ukraine has become a bargaining chip to realise the geopolitical ambitions of the West. Russia will continue to carry out its tasks within the framework of the special operation to ensure its security," Putin said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for a 'swift, sharp and heavy-handed' response to Hamas' killing of six hostages. This was reported by the Jewish state media. "We must make it clear that we will respond with extreme force," Netanyahu is reported to have said at last night's security cabinet meeting. "The first thing that has to be done," according to the Israeli premier, "is to bring within 24-48 hours recommendations to demand a heavy, sharp and very quick price from Hamas: if we don't do this, we will see more such killings.

Several explosions were heard in Kiev shortly after the air alert was activated, around 5.30 a.m. local time. Local media reported this. The air defence is active in the capital and in the Kiev region. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that emergency services were called to the Sviatoshynskyi district of the city. Following the rocket attack, debris fell in the Holosiivskyi district. According to preliminary information from Serhii Popko, head of the Kiev City Military Administration, non-residential buildings were damaged. No casualties were reported.

Hamas claims that the six Israeli hostages found dead in the south of the Gaza Strip would still be alive if Israel had accepted a ceasefire agreement. In an interview with the Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera, the vice-president of the political bureau of the Islamist movement Khalil al-Hayya claimed that Hamas for its part had shown flexibility in the negotiations - including by reducing the number of Palestinian prisoners whose release it was demanding and by accepting the proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden and supported by the UN Security Council -, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to this diponence with evasion and new conditions, including insistence on keeping soldiers in the corridors of Netzarim and Philadelphia. Al-Hayya then stressed that there will be no agreement without Israeli forces withdrawing from these areas.

China criticises the EU for its comments on maritime tensions between Manila and Beijing, noting that Brussels 'is not a party to the issue and has no right to point fingers'. In a note in response to the European condemnation of 'the dangerous actions of Chinese coast guard ships' on Saturday 'against legitimate Philippine maritime operations in the Sabina Shoals area of the South China Sea' and compliance with UN conventions, Beijing's mission to the EU said that 'China is strongly dissatisfied with the European side's accusations, opposes them and will never accept them'.

Turkey's army has 'neutralised 17 terrorists' in operations in northern Iraq and Syria, Ankara announced last night in a statement cited by local media. The Turkish Defence Ministry explained that 15 members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were neutralised in Iraq, while two members of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) were neutralised in the northern Syrian city of Manbij.

30 arrests in Tel Aviv, five in Jerusalem, and several injured were the latest toll from yesterday's large demonstration in Israel (read below, ndr), called by the families of those kidnapped by Hamas. Local media reported this. The Ayalon highway in Tel Aviv was cleared of demonstrators after being blocked for about three hours. Some demonstrators threw objects into the street, lit bonfires and shot fireworks in the air. Police reportedly threw at least four stun grenades in response, lightly injuring several people including Democratic MP Naama Lazimi.

The al-Qassam Brigades accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of preferring to keep his troops in the Philadelphia corridor between Egypt and the Gaza Strip rather than get the hostages back alive. "You retrieve them dead after deliberately killing them," said the armed wing of Hamas in a video released late last night and picked up by local media. "They were alive and should have been released in the first phase of the agreement" for the ceasefire, the Palestinian militiamen added.

Donald Trump blames Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for the killing of the six Israeli hostages, murdered by Hamas 'due to a total lack of American strength and leadership'. "Make no mistake: this happened," he writes in Truth, "because Comrade Kamala Harris and the corrupt Joe Biden are bad leaders. Americans are being slaughtered abroad while Kamala denigrates and makes up lies about Gold Star families and Biden sleeps on the beach on this 16th consecutive day of holiday. They have blood on their hands!".

The US is continuing to discuss with Egypt and Qatar the contours of a final 'take-it-or-leave-it' agreement on Gaza, which it will present to the parties in the coming weeks: any rejection could spell the end of the American-led negotiations, according to a senior Biden administration official, quoted by Wp. "Negotiations cannot continue. This process has to be stopped at some point," said the source, who said that the discovery of the bodies of six murdered hostages does not derail the agreement but if anything "should add further urgency to this closing phase, which we were already in.

Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Israeli cities in a demonstration of grief and anger after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza. It appears to be the largest such demonstration in 11 months of war. The protesters are calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire agreement to bring the remaining captives home. Israel's largest trade union has called a general strike for tomorrow to put further pressure on the government. It is the first such strike since the beginning of the war, and is expected to bring important sectors of the economy to their knees, including the banking sector, the health sector, and the country's main airport.

Russia launched a missile attack yesterday against a social and psychological rehabilitation centre for children and an orphanage in the city of Sumy in north-eastern Ukraine. Sumy, home to more than 250,000 people, is located about 350 kilometres (217 miles) east of Kiev. At least 13 civilians were injured in the attack, including four children, according to the Sumy city council. Four of the injured were transferred to the local hospital. About 400 windows were shattered in the attack and about five nearby high-rise buildings were damaged. The security situation in Sumy Oblast became more tense with the start of Ukraine's cross-border incursion into neighbouring Kursk Oblast in Russia, which began on 6 August.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in an evening speech on TV that he had approved the National Security Council's decision imposing sanctions 'against companies and individuals that ensure the functioning of Russia's aviation infrastructure'. "Today I signed several new decisions on sanctions, against almost 150 entities - legal entities and individuals - that ensure the functioning of Russia's aviation infrastructure. It is the task of all representatives of Ukraine to do everything possible to ensure that Ukrainian sanctions are synchronised with global sanctions,' the president said, quoted by Ukrainian media, including Ukrinform.