Closing summary
We’re pausing our live coverage for the day. These were the main developments:
UK prime minister Keir Starmer has defended his government’s partial suspension of arms exports to Israel, saying the move is “a legal decision”. He said Monday’s announcement to suspend 30 of 350 arms exports licences did not signify a change in UK support for Israel’s right to self-defence, and that the UK’s allies “understand” the move.
The United States has announced criminal charges against Hamas’ top leaders over their roles in planning, supporting and perpetrating the 7 October attack in southern Israel. The charges against Yahya Sinwar, the militant group’s chief, and at least five others accuse them of orchestrating the attack, which killed 1,200 people, including more than 40 Americans.
The US has said it is time to “finalise” a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the Gaza war, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to bow to pressure. Washington will work “over the coming days” with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar “to push for a final agreement,” said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
However, an Israeli far-right minister has stepped up pressure on prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire aimed at securing the release of hostages. National security minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for an end to indirect talks with Hamas, which Israel has accused of executing six hostages whose bodies were found in a Gaza tunnel last week.
The main United Nations agency for Palestinians says it is making good progress in rolling out a polio vaccine to children in Gaza, but called for a permanent ceasefire in the 11-month war to ease humanitarian suffering. UNRWA said that three days into the campaign in areas of central Gaza around 187,000 children have received the vaccine. The campaign will move to other areas of the enclave in the second stage.
The Gaza health ministry says that at least 40,861 people have been killed in the war between Israel and Palestinian militants, now nearing its 12th month.
Updated
UK defends partial suspension of arms sales to Israel
UK prime minister Keir Starmer has defended his government’s partial suspension of arms exports to Israel, saying the move is “a legal decision”.
He said Monday’s announcement to suspend 30 of 350 arms exports licences did not signify a change in UK support for Israel’s right to self-defence, adding the UK’s allies “understand” the move.
Starmer told MPs:
This is a difficult issue, I recognise that, but it’s a legal decision, not a policy decision.
We will of course stand by Israel’s right to self-defence but it’s important that we are committed to the international rule of law.
The partial ban covers items that could be used in the current conflict in Gaza including fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones but not parts for advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets.
Starmer also denied that the move indicated a spilt with the United States.
On Monday, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said London had informed Washington of its move before it was announced.
Today, Starmer told MPs:
We have talked this through with our allies, they understand, they have a different legal system, that is the point they have made.
Updated
