Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his military to seize control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, a dramatic escalation that threatens to shatter the fragile US-brokered ceasefire and deepen the humanitarian catastrophe in the devastated territory.
Speaking from a West Bank settlement on Wednesday, Netanyahu said his forces were 'squeezing Hamas' and expanding Israeli control beyond the 53% already held under the October ceasefire deal. The order effectively creates a vast no man's land where Israel claims the right to decide who enters and to open fire on anyone perceived as a threat.
“Benjamin Netanyahu orders seizure of 70% of Gaza, threatening ceasefire; Starmer defends policy against Blair criticism; Cameron urges government to reject prostate cancer screening guidance.”
The move comes as Netanyahu fights for political survival ahead of elections, but it risks triggering a new wave of violence and civilian suffering in Gaza, where the UN says famine is already looming.
Meanwhile, on the domestic front, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces his own political battles. He was forced to defend his government's policy direction after former Labour leader Sir Tony Blair accused the administration of having 'no coherent plan' for the country. Starmer pushed back, insisting his government has a clear strategy for economic growth and public service reform.
Adding to the pressure on the government, former Conservative Prime Minister Lord David Cameron has urged ministers to reject 'disappointing' new guidance against a national prostate cancer screening programme. Cameron described the recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee as 'a real step back' that could cost lives, given that prostate cancer kills around 12,000 men in the UK each year.
Why this matters to UK readers
The Gaza escalation has direct implications for Britain. The UK is a key ally of Israel and a signatory to international ceasefire agreements. A major Israeli offensive could draw in British diplomatic efforts and potentially increase security risks at home. Meanwhile, Starmer's ability to project stability on the world stage is being tested by both foreign crises and domestic criticism from his own party's elder statesmen.
What happens next
Diplomatic sources suggest the UK and US will push for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to restrain Netanyahu's offensive. Domestically, Starmer is expected to set out more detailed policy plans in the coming weeks to counter Blair's criticism, while the government weighs whether to overrule its own screening advisers on prostate cancer.
What This Means For You
- Gaza crisis: The UK may increase humanitarian aid to Gaza but could face pressure to take a tougher stance on Israel. Watch for Foreign Office statements this week. - Prostate cancer: Men over 50 and those with a family history of the disease should continue to discuss screening with their GP, regardless of national guidance. Campaigners are urging the government to ignore the committee's advice. - Political stability: Starmer's response to Blair's criticism will signal whether Labour is unified or heading for internal divisions that could affect policy delivery.