Israel says Rafah crossing to open soon to let Palestinians leave Gaza via Egypt

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that Lebanon does not desire another war with Israel during a meeting with a UN Security Council delegation, emphasizing the need for international support to disarm non-governmental groups. This statement comes amid ongoing Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon, which Israel claims are aimed at Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire established in November 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will not face an ethics investigation over her pre-Budget remarks, despite accusations from the Conservative Party that she portrayed an overly-negative economic outlook to justify tax increases. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also decided against probing her or the Treasury regarding these allegations.

Sang Hea Kil, a tenured professor at San José State University in California, has been dismissed due to her pro-Palestinian activism, marking her as the first tenured faculty member from a public university to be fired in relation to protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. This dismissal follows a trend of increasing scrutiny and disciplinary actions against university staff involved in similar activism across the United States.

Israeli settlers are forcing Bedouin families to evacuate their community in the West Bank, amid a surge in settler violence that is reportedly linked to the expansion of illegal outposts. This intimidation is causing long-established Palestinian families to flee their ancestral lands, raising concerns about their future and rights in the region.

Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin has called for an £18.5 million recovery package to support businesses in Kent and Sussex amid significant water supply disruptions. This appeal comes in light of a recent boil water warning affecting 24,000 homes in the region, which has raised serious concerns about water safety and access.

Yasser Abu Shabab, a prominent leader of the anti-Hamas militia group Popular Forces, was killed in Gaza during a violent clash while reportedly attempting to mediate a family dispute. His death has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding it, particularly regarding the involvement of Hamas and the implications for the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Guardian's picture editors have curated a selection of photographs capturing a cold moon over Gaza, snow in Seoul, and the Olympic flame, showcasing significant visual moments from around the world on Friday. These images reflect the diverse experiences and cultural expressions present in different regions.

A compilation of videos claiming to show new footage of Iranian military sites destroyed during the June 2025 conflict with Israel has emerged online, primarily shared by pro-Israel accounts. However, many of these clips have been identified as artificially generated content rather than authentic footage.