Israel's ambassador to the UK rejects a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. "Absolutely no," says Tzipi Hotovely, adding: "The Palestinians never wanted to have a state next to Israel"
- The comments double-down on messaging from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Hotovely also rules out a ceasefire in Gaza: "It just basically means we would like to welcome another attack of 7 October"
- The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says early morning Israeli air strikes kill at least 19 people
- In Israel, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to hold talks with Israeli ministers on Thursday
- Hamas broke through Israel's heavily guarded perimeter on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages - some of whom were released during a brief truce
- The health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas, says 18,600 people have been killed and 50,000 injured in the enclave since the start of the Gaza war.
It's just gone midday in Israel and Gaza, where fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas continues. If you're just joining us, or need a recap, here's a round-up of the latest developments:
- Israel's ambassador to the UK has said the country will not accept a two-state solution after the war in Gaza ends. "The Palestinians never wanted to have a state next to Israel," Tzipi Hotovely told Sky News. The two-state solution is the idea that establishing an independent Palestine alongside Israel would create a way for the two peoples to co-exist peacefully. The policy is supported by the United States and other allies of Israel
- White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is on his way to Israel, where he's scheduled to hold talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu about a need for more precise strikes against targets in Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas, says 18,600 people have been killed in the enclave since the start of the war
- The health ministry ministry said at least 19 people were killed this morning in Gaza as a result of Israeli air strikes
- And in the West Bank, Israel's military operation in Jenin is continuing for a third day - 11 Palestinians have been killed and many more injured
We've been reporting on Israel's ambassador to the UK rejecting a two-state solution once the war in Gaza ends.
The "two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an internationally backed formula which envisages an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, with East Jerusalem as its capital, alongside Israel.
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza – now home to approximately five million Palestinians – were occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians want sovereignty over these territories and an end to Israel’s control.
Since 1967, Israel has built about 140 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, populated by more than 700,000 Jews. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Palestinians and the vast majority of the international community see the settlements as an obstacle to peace.
A two-state solution would involve the removal of the settlements, either fully or partially, possibly leaving some large blocks under Israeli sovereignty. Israel opposes a two-state solution, arguing that it would not bring peace because, it says, Palestinians do not accept Israel’s right to exist in any form. Israel also considers the whole of Jerusalem as its capital and is unwilling to divide it.
Previous internationally-backed peace accords between Israel and the Palestinians envisaged a negotiated end to the conflict, without spelling out the creation of a Palestinian state. But the international community sees an independent Palestine living alongside Israel as the only path to a permanent peace.
The British prime minister has said he does not agree with comments made by the Israeli ambassador to the UK after she rejected the idea of a two-state solution once the war in Gaza ends.
Asked about the prospect of a two-state solution - which would see the establishment of an independent Palestine alongside Israel - Tzipi Hotovely told Sky News "absolutely no".
The idea is supported by the United States and other allies of Israel.
In response to Hotovely's comments, Rishi Sunak told reporters "we don't agree with that".
"Our longstanding position remains the two-state solution is the right outcome here.
"And more immediately, what is going on is incredibly concerning. I've said consistently, far too many innocent people have lost their lives."
In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Cameron has announced that "extremist settlers" responsible for violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank will no longer be permitted to come to the UK.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Cameron accused these settlers, by "targeting and killing Palestinian civilians", of "undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians". He goes on:
It follows a similar ban announced by the US earlier this month, when Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was taking action to target aggression by Israeli settlers on Palestinians.
Attacks have surged in the occupied West Bank since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip, triggered by Hamas's assault on southern Israel on 7 October.
- Read more on settler violence here
- FULL REPORTS AND EVEN MORE DETAILS AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67709805
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