US president Joe Biden has descended into a Middle East which is in convulsions. Last night, 500 people were feared to have been killed following the bombing of the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital in Gaza.
Hamas blames Israel. The Israel Defence Forces attribute the disaster to a misfired rocket from Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) launched at Israel and has released intercepted messages claiming to be from Hamas acknowledging as much. PIJ denies responsibility.
In a press conference, Biden appeared to back the Israeli version of events. What we know for sure is that hundreds of civilians are dead, and many more are likely to follow.
The diplomatic repercussions have been instantaneous. Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas pulled out of a meeting with Biden; Jordan cancelled a summit; violence erupted across the West Bank; and in Lebanon, Hezbollah called for a “day of rage”. Meanwhile, countries across the Middle East blamed Israel for the incident.
Observers ought to be wary before attributing fault. Those fortunate enough to be far away should keep space in their heart for all civilians. And humanitarian assistance must urgently be let into Gaza.
Sir Keir’s not PM yet
SIR Keir Starmer is ready to be Prime Minister. At least, that’s what he tells the Evening Standard. But will the British public reciprocate his obvious affection?
In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with this newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Dylan Jones, for ES Magazine, the Labour leader set out his stall for government, his views on Ulez and even shared his favourite joke.
Sir Keir has no doubt transformed his party from a Corbynite rump to one which, according to opinion polls, is on course for power. That is not an achievement to be easily dismissed. Yet much of his party’s recovery can be attributed to the Tories’ self-implosion: from partygate to the mini-Budget, inflation to the NHS. Will that be enough? Londoners, like the rest of the country, want to see some delivery. From anyone who can provide it.
Labour says it is prepping for a spring election, but the reality is that canvassers could be interrupting our Christmas lunches next year before urging us to vote in January 2025. In other words, there is still a long way to go.
Standard’s new look
Months in the making, underpinned by years of ambition and grounded by nearly two centuries of history, the Standard launches its new website. You might call it our online glow-up.
Standard.co.uk has been fully redesigned, optimised for mobile as well as desktop, to give you the most complete guide to news, sport, culture and entertainment for Londoners, everywhere. Check it out.
