July 5: Israel to dispatch team next week to build off Mossad chief’s meet with Qatari PM

Biden: I’m the guy who put together a Mideast peace plan that may come to fruition

Asked during the ABC interview if he’s “the same man today that you were when you took office three and a half years ago,” Biden says: “In terms of successes yes.”

“I was also the guy who put together a peace plan for the Middle East that may be coming to fruition,” he says, apparently referring to efforts to broker Israeli-Saudi normalization and, possibly, work to reach a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza war.

“I was also the guy that expanded NATO. I was also the guy that grew the economy. All the individual things that were done were ideas I had or I fulfilled, I moved on.”

???????????? BIDEN TO STEPHANOPOULOS: I'M THE MAN WHO GETS THINGS DONE

"I was also the guy who put together a peace plan for the Middle East that may be coming to fruition.

I was also the guy that expanded NATO.

I was also the guy that grew the economy.

All the individual things… https://t.co/XdkUy1VuJD pic.twitter.com/OkroL1ONhu

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 6, 2024

Bernie Sanders congratulates Jeremy Corbyn on reelection

US Sen. Bernie Sanders congratulates Jeremy Corbyn, who headed the Labour Party as it was inundated with antisemitism scandals, for retaining his seat in British Parliament after running as an independent candidate in this week’s election.

“Corbyn made the mistake of believing that the Labour Party should represent labor – and was expelled. His constituents disagreed,” Sanders tweets. “Now he’s back.”

Congrats to Jeremy Corbyn for winning his seat as an Independent in the UK elections with a strong grassroots campaign.

Corbyn made the mistake of believing that the Labour Party should represent labor – and was expelled. His constituents disagreed.

Now he’s back.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 5, 2024

Biden says nobody ‘more qualified’ to win election than him

US President Joe Biden insists that no one is more qualified to lead the nation or defeat Donald Trump than he is, swatting away concerns over whether he can beat his Republican challenger in November.

Asked by ABC News in his first television interview since his disastrous debate performance if staying in the race against Trump might jeopardize Democrats holding on to the White House, Biden says: “I don’t think anybody’s more qualified to be president or win this race than me.”

Biden calls debate ‘bad episode’ in ABC News interview

US President Joe Biden again calls his debate against Donald Trump “a bad episode,” suggesting in an interview with ABC News that his shaky performance was due to poor preparation, exhaustion and illness.

“No indication of any serious condition. I was exhausted. I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing and — and a bad night,” Biden says.

“I was feeling terrible,” says Biden, his voice hoarse and sometimes halting. “Matter of fact the docs with me. I asked if they did a COVID test because they’re trying to figure out what was wrong. They did a test to see whether or not I had some infection, you know, a virus. I didn’t. I just had a really bad cold.

????First clip out from the ABC News Stephanopoulos/Biden interview.

Stephanopoulos did a good job putting Biden on the spot about his performance & bad excuse about a “cold.” Biden couldn’t remember if he watched the debate after it aired and made a lot of excuses. Watch below… pic.twitter.com/frEepvpuvb

— Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) July 5, 2024

He adds that it was no one else’s fault but his own, and that he hadn’t rewatched his debate performance.

Biden’s comments came in a clip of an interview that is being closely watched by Democrats concerned about the president’s ability to serve another four years, or beat Republican Trump in November’s election, after his faltering debate performance on June 27.

IDF says sirens sounded in community near Gaza due to false alarm

The IDF says sirens sounded in a Gaza-adjacent community due to a false alarm.

Alerts were heard in Nahal Oz, which is largely evacuated since coming under attack on October 7.

Report: Democratic senator trying to assemble group of colleagues to urge Biden to exit race

US President Joe Biden, with a bipartisan group of senators speaks June 24, 2021, outside the White House in Washington. Biden invited members of the group of 21 Republican and Democratic senators to discuss the infrastructure plan. From left are, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Biden, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. and Se. Mark Warner, D-Va. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

US Senator Mark Warner is reportedly working to assemble a group of Democratic senators to issue a joint appeal for President Joe Biden to pull out of the presidential race amid growing concerns regarding his fitness to govern after last week’s abysmal debate performance.

Warner’s office does not confirm or deny The Washington Post report, which cites two people with direct knowledge of the effort.

“Like many other people in Washington and across the country, Senator Warner believes these are critical days for the president’s campaign, and he has made that clear to the White House,” Warner’s spokeswoman Rachel Cohen tells The Post.

Among the tactics being discussed are a meeting between Senate Democrats and Biden where lawmakers can raise their concerns.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged the caucus to wait to take any actions until there is more polling data about the standing of Biden and the party, two people familiar with the matter tell The Post.

Austin, Gallant discuss threat from Iran-backed groups in phone call — Pentagon

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, standing right, and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, standing left, listen to the playing of the Israeli National Anthem during an arrival ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed “regional security challenges and the continued threats to the region from Iranian-backed groups” during a phone call earlier today, the Pentagon says.

Austin “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and Israel’s right to self-defense, while also urging deescalation and support for ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza,” according to the US readout.

The defense secretary “also expressed strong support for ongoing efforts to finalize a ceasefire and hostage deal as the most promising opportunity to bring all of the hostages home safely,” the readout adds.

Biden reiterates pledge to remain in the race at Wisconsin campaign stop

US President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign rally in Wisconsin on July 5, 2024. (Screen capture/YouTube)

In a closely watched speech at a campaign rally in Wisconsin, US President Joe Biden pledges to remain in the race after last week’s disastrous debate performance.

“You’ve probably heard, we had a little debate last week. Can’t say it was my best performance. But ever since then, there’s been a lot of speculation. What’s Joe gonna do? Is he gonna stay in the race? Is he gonna drop out? What’s he gonna do?”

“Well here’s my answer: I am running, and I’m gonna win again,” Biden says to cheers.

“I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party because millions of Democrats like you just voted for me in primaries all across America. They voted for me to be your nominee — and no one else.”

“Let me say as clear as I can: I’m staying in the race. I’ll beat Donald Trump,” Biden continues.

“When you get knocked down, you get back up. I’m not letting one 90-minute debate wipe out more than three and a half years of work,” he asserts.

Two soldiers lightly injured during Hezbollah barrage at Kiryat Shmona — IDF

Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded by a rocket impact in the northern city of Kiryat Shmona earlier this evening, the military says.

Hezbollah launched a barrage of five rockets from Lebanon at Kiryat Shmona, some of which impacted the city and caused damage.

Meanwhile, the IDF says fighter jets struck a Hezbollah rocket launcher in Marwahin and an observation post in Houla.

PA’s Abbas congratulates Starmer on becoming PM of UK

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on March 31, 2024, in Ramallah. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP)

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas congratulates new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his office says in a statement.

In a diplomatic cable to London, Abbas says he hopes the new British government will work with Ramallah to achieve peace, stability and development in the Middle East and to help the Palestinian people “obtain their legitimate rights, freedom and independence in a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

54% of public thinks war dragging on due to Netanyahu’s political considerations — poll

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 24, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Asked how they’d grade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war, 68% of respondents to a Channel 12 survey gave the premier a bad grade, compared to 28% who gave him a good grade and 4% who weren’t sure.

Forty-nine percent gave Defense Minister Yoav Gallant a bad grade, compared to 42% who gave him a good grade and 8% who were unsure.

Forty-six percent gave IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi a good grade, compared to 44% who gave him a bad grade and 10% who were unsure.

Asked why the war hasn’t ended yet, 54% said it is because of Netanyahu’s political considerations, 34% said it is due to substantive and operational considerations and 12% weren’t sure.

Sixty-eight percent of respondents said Israel is far from the “total victory” pledged by Netanyahu, compared to 23% who said Israel is close and 9% who were unsure.

Asked when elections should be held, 43% of respondents said as soon as possible, 29% said when the war is over, 23% said when the current coalition’s term expires in October 2026 and 5% said they were unsure.

As for who they’d prefer as president of the United States, 48% of respondents said Donald Trump, 27% said Joe Biden and 25% said they were unsure.

Barrage of nine rockets fired from Lebanon at Upper Galilee — IDF

A barrage of nine rockets was fired from Lebanon at the Upper Galilee a short while ago, according to the IDF.

No injuries are reported.

Public prefers either Bennett or Gantz over Netanyahu for PM — poll

File: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, right, with Minister of Defense Benny Gantz during a plenum session at the Knesset, on February 28, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Asked who is most suited to serve as premier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Opposition chair Yair Lapid, 31% of respondents to a Channel 12 survey said Netanyahu, compared to 30% who said Yair Lapid, 35% who said neither and 4% who were unsure.

When the decision was between National Unity leader Benny Gantz and Netanyahu, 35% said Gantz, 29% said Netanyahu, 31% said neither of them and 5% said they were unsure.

When the choice was between former prime minister Naftali Bennett and Netanyahu, 37% said Bennett, 26% said Netanyahu, 33% said neither of them and 4% said they were unsure.

When the choice was between Bennett and Gantz, 27% said Bennett, 26% said Gantz, 42% said neither of them and 5% said they were unsure.

White House reiterates that Biden will likely host Netanyahu later this month

US President Joe Biden (L) looks at at notes as he listens to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023 (Brendan Smialowski / AFP)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells reporters that US President Joe Biden will likely meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the latter is in the US to address a joint session of Congress on July 24.

The White House first made this projection earlier this week.

Two-thirds of public back hostage deal over continuing war in Gaza, poll shows

Israeli mothers and activists take part in a protest march to mark nine months to the war between Israel and Hamas and for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, July 5, 2024. The banner reads: A mother never gives up. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

Asked in a Channel 12 survey what is most important at this moment, 67% of the public said returning the hostages, compared to 26% who said continuing the war in Gaza and 7% who said they didn’t know.

Mossad negotiators said to assure mediators Israeli cabinet will approve hostage deal

Demonstrators call for the release of Hamas hostages outside Tel Aviv's Defense Ministry compound on July 4, 2024. (Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

The Wall Street Journal cites an official familiar with the hostage talks who says that Mossad officials have told mediators that they are optimistic the Israeli cabinet will accept the ceasefire proposal currently under discussion.

While far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir have spoken out against the terms currently being discussed, they could well be outnumbered by Haredi and Likud ministers. However, it is unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will want to ignore his far-right flank, as both Ben Gvir and Smotrich have threatened to topple the government if it advances the proposal Israel submitted in May.

Upon Barnea’s return from Doha, PM agrees to dispatch negotiating team for follow-up talks next week

Demonstrators call for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, July 3, 2024 (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to dispatch an Israeli negotiating team for follow-up discussions next week in Qatar after today’s meeting between Mossad chief David Barnea and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, the premier’s office says.

The statement stresses that “gaps between the parties” remain.

Report: Barnea told Qatari PM Israel rejects Hamas demand for mediators to commit to open-ended talks

Demonstrators call for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, July 3, 2024 (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly informed Qatari mediators in Doha earlier today that Israel rejects Hamas’s demand for a written commitment from the mediators that the negotiations regarding the second phase of the ceasefire can extend indefinitely if needed.

The Israeli proposal submitted in May stated that during the first, six-week phase of the agreement, Israel and Hamas will enter negotiations regarding the terms of the second phase of the deal.

Clauses 8 and 14 of the Israeli offer stipulate that those negotiations can extend beyond six weeks if the sides are still engaged in the talks and that the Egyptian, Qatari and American mediators will “make every effort to ensure” that Israel and Hamas remain at the table.

In the updated proposal Hamas submitted earlier this week, the terror group dropped the words “make every effort” from Clause 14, a senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel yesterday. The updated phrase would read that the mediators would “ensure” that the sides remain at the negotiating table — an ostensibly more binding formulation.

Barnea informed Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani that Israel cannot accept the Hamas formulation for Clause 14, according to the Walla news site.

Israel fears that Hamas will use a written commitment from the mediators to ensure the talks continue indefinitely to drag out the first phase negotiations instead of releasing the remaining living hostages who are supposed to be freed in the second phase.

The proposal states that Israel is allowed to resume fighting if Hamas fails to abide by the terms of the agreement. However, Jerusalem fears that the updated Clause 14 sought by Hamas will make it much harder for the IDF to return to fighting, without being seen as the side violating the agreement, Walla reports, adding that Israel could then face a UN Security Council resolution ordering an immediate ceasefire without the release of the hostages.

American mediators have proposed a compromise, replacing the phrase “make every effort” in Clause 14 with “undertake,” Walla says.

Likud backbenchers pen letter to PM urging him to replace Gallant, Halevi, Hagari and top IDF lawyer

MK Tally Gotliv attends an Israel Hayom conference in Ashkelon, April 16, 2024. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)

Four Likud lawmakers have penned a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling on him to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari and Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.

“Before we enter into such a significant campaign in Lebanon, we must conduct a system audit,” backbencher MKs Tally Gotliv, Keti Shitrit, Ariel Kallner and Osher Shekalim wrote, adding that the replacement of the Israeli security establishment’s top command is essential for victory against Israel’s foes.

The hardline Likud lawmakers claimed Halevi failed to inform Netanyahu and Gallant about the impending Hamas attack on October 7. They also claimed Halevi didn’t inform the government about his decision to approve daily localized humanitarian pauses to assist in the safe delivery of aid throughout southern Gaza.

The lawmakers attacked Hagari for declaring during a media interview that it is impossible to destroy Hamas, even though the government has made Hamas’s destruction one of its primary war aims.

The letter also claims — without proof — that Tomer-Yerushalmi has been “binding the hands of soldiers and granting immunity to terrorists.”

The lawmakers urged Netanyahu to replace Gallant with someone from outside the security establishment, amid the far right’s growing distrust in the IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad leadership.

5 rockets from Lebanon launched at Kiryat Shmona; damage caused to home

Five rockets were launched from Lebanon at the northern city of Kiryat Shmona a short while ago, the military says.

Local authorities say damage was caused to a home in the city by one of the rockets.

There are no reports of injuries in the attack.

Damage was caused to a home in Kiryat Shmona by a direct rocket impact, local authorities say.

The Kiryat Shmona municipality says one of the five rockets launched from Lebanon was intercepted, while the other four hit the city, including one that struck a home.

There are no… pic.twitter.com/o4JdYlBaS9

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) July 5, 2024

PM said to have dispatched aide to Doha amid lack of trust in Mossad-led negotiating team

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly dispatched his foreign policy aide Ophir Falk to join Mossad chief David Barnea for negotiations with Qatari mediators in Doha earlier today.

Falk was dispatched even though he is not part of the negotiating team, while Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and IDF hostage point man Nitzan Alon — who are part of that squad – stayed home.

Falk was sent to “supervise” Barnea in light of Netanyahu’s growing distrust of the hostage negotiating team, a senior Israeli official told the Walla news site.

Members of the negotiating team have periodically been speaking with the Israeli media on condition of anonymity, accusing Netanyahu of hampering the talks in order to ensure he stays in power.

Netanyahu’s inner circle has blamed the Israeli security establishment — whose representatives head the hostage negotiating team — for failing to thwart Hamas’s October 7 onslaught.

Netanyahu agreed to dispatch Barnea to Qatar during a meeting with the Mossad chief and Bar last night. IDF chief Herzi Halevi and Alon were not invited to that meeting, according to Hebrew media reports.

Netanyahu also barred Barnea and Bar from participating in a separate meeting yesterday regarding the hostage talks with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Gallant reportedly criticized Netanyahu for barring Barnea and Bar from the meeting, saying it hampered the security establishment’s ability to prepare for the talks in Doha.

Mossad-led negotiating team returns to Israel after talks in Qatar — official

File: Head of Mossad David Barnea attends a state ceremony marking 50 years since the Yom Kippur War, held at the military cemetery at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl, on September 26, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

The hostage negotiating team led by Mossad chief David Barnea has returned to Israel after holding meetings with Qatari mediators in Doha regarding Hamas’s latest ceasefire proposal, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

Hamas official says expects quick Israeli response to ceasefire ‘ideas’

Osama Hamdan, a member of Hamas's politburo, is seen speaking to CNN in Beirut, Lebanon, in a screenshot from this video posted to YouTube on June 14, 2024. (Screenshot, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

A top Hamas official tells AFP the terror group expects a swift Israeli response — “likely today or tomorrow morning” — to its new “ideas” for halting the Gaza war and freeing hostages.

With Israeli negotiators scheduled to arrive in Qatar for talks with mediators, Osama Hamdan says the terror group’s military wing remains “in a good condition that allows it to continue” to fight Israeli forces.

IDF says it struck Hezbollah anti-aircraft system in southern Lebanon

Israeli fighter jets struck a Hezbollah anti-aircraft system in southern Lebanon’s Rihan earlier today, the IDF says.

According to the military, the surface-to-air launcher was used to attack Israeli aircraft.

A separate strike was carried out against a building in Markaba, where a Hezbollah operative was spotted entering, the IDF says.

It publishes footage of the two strikes.

מוקדם יותר היום זוהה מחבל נכנס למבנה צבאי של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחב מרכבא. זמן קצר לאחר הזיהוי, מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר בשיתוף פיקוד הצפון תקפו את המבנה ובו המחבל.

בנוסף, מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו במרחב ריחן משגר טילי קרקע אוויר אשר שימש לשיגורים לעבר כלי טיס ישראליים>> pic.twitter.com/AHqktGYpyA

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 5, 2024

Meanwhile, five projectiles were launched from Lebanon at the Zar’it area, and another three were fired at Mount Dov earlier today.

The IDF says no injuries were caused in the attacks, and troops shelled the launch sites with artillery.

Hostage signs ripped off wall outside US lawmaker’s Capitol Hill office

Hostage signs vandalized outside US Rep. Brad Schneider's Washington office on July 4, 2024. (Brad Schneider/X)

Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider tweets that his Capitol Hill office was vandalized yesterday “in a vile act of hate.”

“The posters of the more than 100 people still held hostage in Gaza (including 8 Americans) were ripped from the wall, shredded and tossed across the hallway,” he says.

David Lammy new UK foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper interior minister

David Lammy, the UK Labour Party's shadow foreign secretary gestures as he meets with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed David Lammy as foreign secretary and Yvette Cooper as interior minister after Labour swept to power in a landslide general election win.

Lammy, 51, a trailblazing black lawmaker, replaces the Conservatives’ David Cameron as Britain’s top diplomat while Cooper, 55, takes the helm at the Home Office, a notoriously difficult ministry to run.

Hezbollah official: We’ll cease fire as soon as Israel-Hamas truce reached in Gaza

A Hezbollah official tells Reuters that the terror group would cease fire on Israel as soon as any Gaza ceasefire agreement takes effect, echoing previous statements from the group.

“If there is a Gaza agreement, then from zero hour there will be a ceasefire in Lebanon,” the Hezbollah official says.

A Hezbollah statement says its leader Hassan Nasrallah received Hamas deputy chief Khalil Al-Hayya for a meeting earlier today, which reviewed “the latest security and political developments” in the Gaza Strip.

“They also discussed the latest developments in the ongoing negotiations these days, their atmosphere, and the proposals presented to reach an end to the treacherous aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,” the statement says.

Hamas says it rejects any statements about foreign forces entering Gaza

Hamas says that it rejects any statements and positions that support plans for foreign forces to enter the Gaza Strip under any name or justification.

The terror group says the administration of the Gaza Strip is a purely Palestinian matter. “The Palestinian people… will not allow any guardianship or the imposition of any external solutions or equations,” it adds in a statement.

Separately, the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), a group allied with Hamas, says it considers any attempt to deploy international or other forces in Gaza as “an aggression” and will deal with it as occupying forces.

The US has been talking to Arab allies about establishing a postwar peacekeeping force in Gaza.

Gantz tells Netanyahu that his party will support hostage deal from opposition

Minister Benny Gantz (center) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) arrive for a press conference at the Defense Ministry, in Tel Aviv, December 16, 2023. (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)

National Unity chairman Benny Gantz told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call earlier today that his opposition party will “provide full backing to any responsible deal that will lead to the return of the hostages,” his office says in a statement.

Netanyahu is likely to face pushback to the current hostage deal on the table from within his own coalition.

Gantz took his National Unity party out of the coalition last month over disagreements with the way the premier has been handling the Israel-Hamas war, claiming Netanyahu was prioritizing his own political survival over securing a hostage agreement.

Netanyahu congratulates Labour chief Starmer on becoming UK’s PM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulates Labour Party leader Kier Starmer on becoming the United Kingdom’s new prime minister.

“I am confident that we will continue working together to strengthen the historic friendship between the UK and Israel and to advance the twin goals of security and peace,” Netanyahu tweets, eight hours after President Isaac Herzog issued his own congratulatory post.

“I also express my gratitude to (former British premier) Rishi Sunak for his friendship and support over the years,” Netanyahu adds.

Outside 10 Downing Street, new UK PM Starmer promises Labour will ‘rebuild Britain’

Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer walks back after speaking to the media and supporters supporters in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Stammer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Keir Starmer has swept into Downing Street for the first time as UK prime minister, promising urgent action to restore the country’s fortunes.

The Labour party leader oversaw a landslide victory in Thursday’s general election, ending 14 years of rule by Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives.

“The work of change begins immediately,” Starmer tells reporters outside Downing Street after accepting head of state King Charles III’s request for him to form a government.

“But have no doubt, we will rebuild Britain,” he adds.

Starmer, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer and chief state prosecutor, pays tribute to Sunak, who was appointed Tory leader and prime minister in October 2022 after Liz Truss’s disastrous tenure.

“His achievement as the first British-Asian prime minister of our country, the extra effort that that will have required, should not be underestimated by anyone,” he says.

“We pay tribute to that today. We also recognize the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership,” he adds.

Newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer with his wife Victoria Starmer enter his official London residence at No 10 Downing Street for the first time after the Labour Party won a landslide victory at the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/pool photo via AP)

His government, he says, will put “country first, party second,” promising to restore “respect for politics,” after a succession of scandals under the Tories that eroded public trust.

But he sought to temper high expectations of an immediate transformation. “Changing a country is not like flicking a switch,” he says.

“The world is now a more volatile place. This will take a while. But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately.”

7 Palestinian gunmen — including cell behind deadly bomb — killed in IDF raid of Jenin

Footage of an IDF drone strike in Jenin in the West Bank on July 5, 2024. (Screen capture/X)

Seven Palestinian gunmen, including members of a cell responsible for a roadside bomb that killed Cpt. Alon Sacgiu last week, were killed during a raid in the West Bank city of Jenin earlier today, the military says.

Troops of the Duvdevan commando unit and Kfir Brigade’s Haruv reconnaissance unit raided Jenin following intelligence provided by the Shin Bet on the location of the cell.

The troops encircled a building where Hammam Hashash and another gunman behind the roadside bomb attack on June 27 were holed up, and carried out a tactic known as “pressure cooker” that involves escalating the volume of fire directed at a building to force suspects to come out. The pair were eventually killed.

A third member of the roadside bomb cell was killed by Border Police troops in Jenin on Wednesday.

Separately, amid the operation, the IDF says the troops clashed with other gunmen, and a drone strike was carried out against an armed cell that was identified in the area.

במהלך השעות האחרונות, לוחמי יחידת דובדבן וסיירת חרוב בהכוונה מודיעינית של השב״כ פעלו לסיכול טרור במרחב ג׳נין.

במסגרת הפעילות, הכוחות ניהלו חילופי אש עם מחבלים במרחב ובמקביל פעלו בנוהל ״סיר לחץ״, על מבנה בו התבצרו מחבלים נוספים>> pic.twitter.com/kf5hGn9HYU

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 5, 2024

In all, seven gunmen were killed in the operation, according to the IDF. Palestinian health authorities also reported seven dead.

Despite colossal victory, Labour loses several seats, challenged in others by pro-Palestinian independents

Illustrative: Pro-Palestinian protesters at the 'National March for Gaza' gather in front of Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament, in London, June 8, 2024. (Justin Tallis / AFP)

While the British Labour Party scored a landslide victory, it has lost several of its safe seats to independent, pro-Palestinian candidates, while it saw its vote dip in several others, the BBC finds.

In total, five seats with large Muslim populations were lost by Labour, with one going to Conservatives and the rest to independents, according to the report.

Labour’s vote was down in electorates where over 10% of the population identifies as Muslim by an average of 11 points, the report says.

In the Leicester South constituency, Shadow Minister Jonathan Ashworth has lost his seat, which he held for 13 years, to independent Shockat Adam, where 30% of voters are Muslim.

Adam told supporters his win “is for Gaza,” the BBC says.

Labour’s Khalid Mahmood also lost his seat to independent Ayoub Khan in Birmingham Perry Bar, while seats usually dominated by the party were also taken by in Dewsbury, Batley, and Blackburn by independents whose campaign focused on the Israel-Hamas war, according to the BBC.

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer waves to party workers and supporters during a post-election rally at the Tate Modern in London, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Candidates were backed by The Muslim Vote campaign group, which aimed to influence the outcome in seats where the Muslim population was large enough that it could hold sway.

TMV co-founders signed a pledge days after Hamas’s October 7 massacre, which sparked the ongoing war, to “reaffirm the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to resist Israeli military occupation, including the right to armed struggle,” The Jewish Chronicle reports.

A Labour Party source told The Chronicle that TMV’s success was concerning but it was too soon to say what kind of impact it would have on the incoming government’s policy.

Recently elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer has come under internal pressure over his stance on the war in Gaza from more far-left elements within the party and its supporters, which they deem to be not critical enough of Israel. Last month, the party pledged to recognize a Palestinian state as part of a peace process.

King Charles appoints Keir Starmer as prime minister of the UK

Britain's King Charles III (R) meets with Britain's incoming Prime Minister Keir Starmer during an audience at Buckingham Palace in London on July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok / POOL / AFP)

LONDON, United Kingdom — Britain’s head of state King Charles III officially appoints Labour leader Keir Starmer as prime minister during an audience at Buckingham Palace.

A photograph released by the palace shows the monarch shaking hands with Starmer, whose party won a landslide election victory. The king earlier accepted the resignation of Conservative leader Rishi Sunak.

Turkey’s Erdogan says West must pressure Israel to accept Gaza ceasefire

ANKARA, Turkey — Western countries must pressure Israel to accept the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is cited as saying by broadcaster Haberturk and others, adding that he believes a definitive ceasefire is possible.

“After US President Joe Biden’s phone call to [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu, I hope a final ceasefire would be secured in a couple of days so that Israel’s recent massacres would come to an end,” Erdogan is quoted as telling reporters on his flight back from Kazakhstan.

PM attends memorial for slain brother Yoni Netanyahu along with family, MKs

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd right) is joined by family and friends at a memorial for his brother Yonatan, who was killed in the operation to free Israeli hostages at Entebbe, at Mount Herzl military cemetery, Jerusalem, June 5, 2024. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is joined by his family at a memorial for his brother Yoni, who was killed in an operation to free Israelis taken hostage by Palestinian terrorists in Entebbe, Uganda, in 1976.

Netanyahu and his brother Iddo, say the memorial Kadish prayer and lay a wreath at his grave at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu, his brother, his wife Sara, and son Avner, are joined by Knesset speaker Amir Ohana and other ministers, lawmakers, and friends of Yoni.

Hostage mothers rally at Habima Square to demand government ink deal

Protesters led by the mothers of Hamas-held hostages demonstrate in support of a hostage deal in Tel Aviv on July 5, 2024. (Charlie Summers/Times of Israel)

Mothers of Hamas-held hostages are demonstrating in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square nearly nine months after the October 7 massacre.

The mothers are joined by at least a thousand other demonstrators, who will soon begin marching toward the nearby Hostages Square.

“Every mother knows what it’s like to go through pregnancy,” says Shira Albag, mother of 19-year-old Liri Albag. “I carried Liri for nine months… for nine months now my Liri is there, dealing with darkness in the tunnels, lack of air, and homesickness.”

“There is right now a deal on the table,” she continues, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “show leadership and courage and sign off the deal.”

Demonstrators led by the mothers then set out to Hostages Square, chanting: “Women want to return the hostages!”

IDF posts footage of Hamas members beating Gazans who entered aid warehouse

The Israel Defense Forces publishes a video it says shows Hamas members beating captured Gazan civilians who entered a warehouse where humanitarian aid was stored.

“While Israel is making great efforts to ensure the entry of aid is being facilitated to the people of Gaza, Hamas continues to steal and hide it from Gazan civilians,” the IDF posts on X.

“These civilians just wanted to eat, but Hamas had other plans.”

Israel has long claimed that Hamas hoards food supplies, keeping the much-needed aid from the rest of the Gazan population.

מחבלי חמאס מכים באכזריות אזרחים עזתיים שניסו להגיע לסיוע ההומניטארי שישראל מכניסה ושהם השתלטו עליו. ועל זה העולם הנאור רוצה להגן pic.twitter.com/MXfLpsbhhw

— יאיר אלטמן | Yair Altman (@YairAltman) July 5, 2024

Hezbollah No. 2 says full-blown war with Israel not on horizon

Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem says the terror group is not expecting an all-out war with Israel at the moment but is ready for the worst.

Speaking to Russian outlet Sputnik, Qassem says that Israel has “no choice” but to end its war against the Hamas terror group through a ceasefire deal.

“Hamas will not stop if Israel doesn’t stop, and the most likely outcome for the war ending is through an agreement, especially because of the upheaval inside Israel,” he says, referring to anti-government protests.

“The possibility of expanding the war is not at hand at the moment, but the organization is prepared for the worst,” he adds.

Sunak says he’ll step down today as PM, will also quit as Tory part chief

Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaking outside 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

LONDON — Britain’s Rishi Sunak says he would meet King Charles to formally resign as prime minister on Friday and would also stand down as leader of the defeated Conservative Party after Keir Starmer’s Labour Party won a landslide election victory.

“I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change, and yours is the only judgment that matters,” Sunak says in a speech to voters outside the prime minister’s office in Downing Street.

“I have heard your anger, your disappointment and I take responsibility for this loss. To all the Conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly, but without success, I’m sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved.”

WHO says Gaza fuel shortage may have ‘catastrophic’ consequences on health system

GENEVA, Switzerland — The World Health Organization chief warns that a dire lack of fuel in the Gaza Strip could have a “catastrophic” impact on already devastated health services in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

“Further disruption to health services is imminent in Gaza due to a severe lack of fuel,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says on X, formerly Twitter.

The UN health agency cautions that only 90,000 liters of fuel entered Gaza on Wednesday — even as the health sector alone needs 80,000 liters daily.

The military did not immediately comment on the claim. Fuel, which has been particularly difficult to get in amid Israeli fears it could benefit the Hamas terror group, is vital to keep hospital generators running, as well as humanitarian and emergency vehicles.

This is forcing WHO and its partners working in Gaza “to make impossible choices,” Tedros says.

WHO says that its partners were currently directing limited fuel supplies to “key hospitals,” including the Nasser Medical Complex and Al Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis and the Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah.

Fuel was also going to 21 ambulances run by the Palestinian Red Crescent “to prevent services from grinding to a halt,” Tedros says.

He points out that the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis had been out of service since Tuesday, and warned that “losing more hospitals in the Strip would be catastrophic.”

Further disruption to health services is imminent in #Gaza due to a severe lack of fuel.

Only 90,000L of fuel entered Gaza yesterday. The health sector alone needs 80,000L daily, forcing the @UN – incl. @WHO – and partners to make impossible choices. pic.twitter.com/XIlvDJj2Xg

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) July 4, 2024

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

ICC prosecutor canceled fact-finding visit to region on same day he requested arrest warrants

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan (center) announces that he has requested arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Hanuyeh, May 20, 2024. (Courtesy, International Criminal Court)

THE HAGUE — On May 20, the same day International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan made a surprise request for warrants to arrest the leaders of Israel and Hamas involved in the Gaza conflict, he suddenly canceled a sensitive mission to collect evidence in the region, eight people with direct knowledge of the matter tell Reuters.

Planning for the visit had been underway for months with US officials, four of the sources say.

Khan’s decision to request the warrants upended the plans backed by Washington and London for the prosecutor and his team to visit Gaza and Israel. The court was set to gather on-site evidence of war crimes and offer Israeli leaders a first opportunity to present their position and any action they were taking to respond to the allegations of war crimes, five sources with direct knowledge of the exchanges tell Reuters.

Khan’s request for a warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — the court’s first attempt to detain a sitting, Western-backed head of state — also flew in the face of efforts the US and Britain were leading to prevent the court from prosecuting Israeli leaders, the sources say.

The two states have said the court has no jurisdiction over Israel and that seeking warrants would not help resolve the conflict.

Khan’s office tells Reuters the decision to seek warrants was, in line with its approach in all cases, based on an assessment by the prosecutor that there was enough evidence to proceed, and the view that seeking arrest warrants immediately could prevent alleged ongoing crimes.

Reuters is the first to report in detail about the planned trip and the repercussions of its cancellation.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

Mossad head said to travel to Doha to meet Qatari PM without negotiating team

Mossad chief David Barnea at a Memorial Day ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, May 12, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Mossad spy agency chief David Barnea traveled alone today to Doha to meet with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to discuss a proposed hostage and truce deal with Hamas, the Kan public broadcaster reports, citing senior Israeli officials.

Shin Bet security agency chief Ronen Bar and Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, the IDF’s point person in the talks, who are both part of Israel’s high-level negotiating team, did not accompany him, according to the report.

Officials tell Kan people should curb their expectations that talks will be successful.

PA health ministry raises death toll in Jenin op to five

The Palestinian Authority health ministry raises the death toll of the IDF raid in the northern West Bank city of Jenin to five.

Earlier, the IDF said it was clashing with gunmen in Jenin and had carried out a drone strike.

Ben Gvir reportedly threatens to back out of coalition during cabinet meeting over hostage-ceasefire deal talks

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir speaks at a meeting of his Otzma Yehudit party, at the Knesset in Jerusalem on June 10, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened to bolt the coalition during Thursday night’s security cabinet meeting after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to send a delegation to Qatar to discuss a hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas, according to quotes reported by Hebrew media.

According to the reports, Ben Gvir accused Netanyahu of holding closed-door meetings with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and security chiefs, casting the  cabinet as merely “a decoration.”

“I’m telling you prime minister, that if you make a decision alone, it is your responsibility, and you will also remain alone. I was not elected by half a million people to sit in the government while the heads of the security establishment make the decisions,” he said, the reports say.

Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel asked Ben Gvir if he was making threats, to which he replied: “I am not threatening, this is the realist. If you decide alone, don’t expect me to hold up the government afterward.”

IDF: Some 100 gunmen killed, over 100 terror sites destroyed during Shejaiya op

IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip, in an image released on July 5, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

Some 100 gunmen have been killed and more than 100 sites belonging to terror groups have been destroyed amid the IDF’s ongoing week-long operation in Gaza City’s Shejaiya, the military says.

Over the past day, the IDF says troops killed dozens of gunmen in clashes, tank shelling, and by calling in airstrikes to Shejaiya.

One strike in Shejaiya was carried out against a terrorist who launched rockets at the southern community of Nahal Oz yesterday. The IDF says the terrorist was identified and struck two minutes after the attack on the border community.

The pinpoint operation in Shejaiya, launched on June 27, is being carried out by the 98th Division.

Meanwhile, the IDF says dozens more terror operatives were killed and several booby-trapped buildings were destroyed in southern Gaza’s Rafah over the past day, amid operations by the 162nd Division.

And in central Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor, several more gunmen were killed by troops with the 99th Division, including a cell attempting to plant bombs, the military says.

Amid the ground operations in Gaza, the IDF says fighter jets and drones carried out more than 50 strikes across the Strip, including booby-trapped buildings, cells of gunmen, and rocket launchers.

Fighter jets strike Hezbollah terror infrastructure overnight

Overnight, Israeli fighter jets struck Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon’s Jebbayn and Kfar Hamam, the military says.

It adds that troops also shelled areas near Naqoura with artillery to “remove a threat.”

מטוסי קרב תקפו במהלך הלילה יעדי טרור של חיזבאללה בדרום לבנון, בהם תשתית טרור במרחב אל ג׳יבין, ותשתית להכוונת טרור במרחב כפר חמאם.

בנוסף, כוחות צה״ל ביצעו ירי ארטילרי להסרת איום למרחב א-נקורה שבדרום לבנון pic.twitter.com/A8mGSY0tPA

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 5, 2024

Hezbollah chief meets Hamas delegation to discuss war in Gaza

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah met a Hamas delegation headed by the group’s deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, to discuss the situation in Gaza and the latest ceasefire talks, Hezbollah says.

The security cabinet convened on Thursday evening as Israel approved sending a delegation to renewed hostage release and ceasefire talks, a day after Hamas submitted its latest amendments to the current proposed deal.

Rocket siren in Kerem Shalom was false alarm

Incoming rocket sirens that sounded a short while ago in Kerem Shalom were a false alarm, the army says.

Security official says four terrorists killed in Jenin op

Four terrorists were killed during an operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, a security official tells the Kan public broadcaster.

The Palestinian Authority health ministry also says four Palestinians were killed in Jenin.

The IDF said earlier that it exchanged fire with several terrorists that were holed up in a building in the city and launched a drone strike targeting a terror squadron.

Rocket sirens sound in Kerem Shalom on Gaza border

Incoming rocket alerts are activated in the Gaza border community of Kerem Shalom.

Red Alert [08:54:56] – 1 Alert:

• Gaza Envelope — Kerem Shalom#Israel #RocketAlert #RedAlert pic.twitter.com/mvdUW8lAnB

— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) July 5, 2024

IDF carries out drone strike on terror squad during ongoing Jenin operation

The IDF carried out a drone strike on a terror squadron amid an operation in the West Bank city of Jenin, the military says.

Soldiers are surrounding a building where suspects are hiding and have exchanged fire with them, the military says, adding that more details will be shared shortly.

Hebrew media reports several terrorists have been wounded during the battle.

ענני עשן עולים מהבית של מחבלים ביער אל-סעדה, ג'נין, לאחר שפגע בו פגז ". pic.twitter.com/VFziV3s3YN

— Gera. Belik ( גרשון ) (@gershon27) July 5, 2024

Herzog congratulates UK Labour chief for election win

President Isaac Herzog congratulates British Labour Party leader Keir Starmer for winning the UK election.

“As he prepares to enter Downing Street as Prime Minister, I look forward to working together with him and his new government to bring our hostages home, to build a better future for the region, and to deepen the close friendship between Israel and the United Kingdom,” Herzog writes on X.

I also express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his leadership and for standing with the Israeli people especially during this most difficult period,” he adds.

I send my warmest congratulations to @Keir_Starmer. As he prepares to enter Downing Street as Prime Minister, I look forward to working together with him and his new government to bring our hostages home, to build a better future for the region, and to deepen the close friendship…

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) July 5, 2024

Iranians begin voting in run-off presidential election

Iranians began voting in a run-off presidential election on Friday Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi tells state TV, amid voter apathy and heightened regional tensions.

Voters are set to choose between reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon who has represented the northern city of Tabriz in parliament since 2008, and ultra-conservative Saeed Jalili, Iran’s former nuclear negotiator.

Starmer: ‘The fight for trust is the battle that defines our age’

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer waves to party workers and supporters during a post election rally at the Tate Modern in London, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

LONDON — Britain’s incoming prime minister, Keir Starmer, says the fight for trust would be the “battle that defines our age” and he would be judged on his ability to show that politics could be a force for good in the world.

Starmer, set to lead a center-left party into power just as the far right makes gains in Europe, says his mandate from the British people was a “great responsibility” and he pledges to start work straightaway on improving the country.

“Our task is nothing less than renewing the ideas that hold this country together –  national renewal,” he tells supporters after his party won enough seats to hold a majority in parliament.

“The fight for trust is the battle that defines our age. It is why we’ve campaigned so hard on demonstrating we are fit for public service.”

“We have to return politics to public service. Show that politics can be a force for good.”

Jewish extremists attack soldiers, Palestinian vehicle in separate West bank attacks

Jewish extremists threw rocks at IDF soldiers near the site where an illegal West Bank outpost was evacuated a day earlier, Army Radio reports.

The incident last night occurred at the Givat Assaf Junction near Tzur Harel, which was evacuated and razed Wednesday.

Additionally, Jewish extremists threw rocks at a Palestinian vehicle near Nablus, injuring a Palestinian girl, Army Radio reports.

A security official tells the radio station that violence is spiraling in the West Bank, with Jewish extremists receiving “backing from politicians.”

“The police in the Judea and Samaria district are not functioning in the area. This is the result,” the official says, using the biblical name for the West Bank.

הפשיעה הלאומנית ביו״ש ממשיכה להשתולל גם הערב ומופנית גם נגד כוחות הביטחון וגם נגד פלסטינים:

– לפני זמן קצר, סמוך לצומת גבעת אסף בבנימין (אזור פינוי המאחז צור הראל) – כעשרה מתפרעים יהודים זרקו אבנים על כוח צה״ל שהוצב במקום.

– ⁠בצומת שבי שומרון ליד שכם – פורעים יהודים תוקפים… pic.twitter.com/VLZXnYTG1C

— דורון קדוש | Doron Kadosh (@Doron_Kadosh) July 4, 2024

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak concedes election but retains parliamentary seat

Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak arrives for the declaration of results for Richmond and Northallerton in Northallerton, north of England, early on July 5, 2024. (Darren Staples / AFP)

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat following Thursday’s national election, saying the opposition Labour Party had won.

“The Labour Party has won this general election and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,” Sunak says after winning his parliamentary seat in northern England.

“Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future.”

Jewish Labour candidate Sarah Sackman wins vote in London area with large Jewish community

Labour Party candidate for Finchley and Golders Green, home to one of the UK’s largest Jewish communities, wins the constituency with 44.3 percent of the vote.

Jewish candidate Sarah Sackman’s victory brings the constituency back to Labour for the first time since 2010. Conservative MP Mike Freer, who served as the constituency’s MP for 14 years, announced earlier this year that he would not be standing for reelection due to relentless threats and attacks he has faced, including an arson attack on his office in December last year.

Sackman’s win is in stark contrast to the Labour Party’s showing in the 2019 elections, under then-party leader Jeremy Corbyn, when the party received just 24.2% of the vote in Finchley and Golders Green.

Anti-Israel firebrand George Galloway loses parliamentary seat just months after winning by-election

Divisive left-wing candidate George Galloway, who ran an election campaign largely focused on capturing the anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian vote in his constituency loses his seat to a Labour Party candidate.

Galloway, the leader of the fringe Workers Party of Great Britain was elected to the UK parliament after winning the seat of Rochdale in northern England in a by-election just months earlier.

The 69-year-old candidate won the February 2024 by-election after Labour withdrew its candidate Azhar Ali due to antisemitic comments regarding the October 7 Hamas terror assault.

Galloway, long accused by critics of stoking community tensions, has put the war in Gaza front and center of his campaign in Rochdale, which has a 30 percent Muslim population.

In an unusual move, Galloway declined to appear on stage with the rest of the Rochdale candidates as the constituency’s results were announced.

Jeremy Corbyn keeps his parliamentary seat after standing as independent candidate

Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) attends a pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstration outside Westminster Palace, in central London, on April 27, 2024. (Benjamin Cremel/AFP)

Former Labour leader and independent candidate for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn retains his parliamentary seat in the Greater London constituency with 24,120 votes.

The Labour Party candidate, seen as Corbyn’s strongest contender, fell far short with 16,873 votes.

Far-left lawmaker Corbyn was suspended from the Labour Party in 2020 due to remarks he made following an investigation into antisemitism in the party under his leadership.

His successor Starmer has spent the second half of his parliamentary career clearing Labour of the far left’s legacy of extremism and racism and planting his party’s flag firmly in the electoral center.

Starmer retains parliamentary seat, says it’s clear Britain has voted for change

Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks on stage after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Labour leader and incoming UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer retains his seat in the British parliament for Holborn and St Pancras in London, winning 18,884 votes.

After winning his seat, Starmer says the country had voted for change and it was time for his party to deliver.

“Tonight people here and around the country have spoken, and they’re ready for change,” Starmer says.

“The change begins right here.”

Andrew Feinstein, a Jewish candidate who stood as an independent comes in second with 7,312 votes.

As is the custom in the UK, where prime ministers and prime minister-hopefuls often find themselves facing joke candidates, Starmer also shared the stage with Nick the Incredible Flying Brick, of the Monster Raving Looney Party, who gained 162 votes; and Bobby “Elmo” Smith, who won 19 votes while dressed as the beloved Sesame Street character.

FBI offering up to $10,000 for information on suspects who vandalized graves in Ohio Jewish cemeteries

Gravestones vandalized at a Jewish cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 1, 2024. (Courtesy of Cincy Jewfolk via JTA)

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the suspects responsible for knocking over gravestones at two historic Jewish cemeteries in Cincinnati, Ohio in recent days.

In a post on X, the intelligence agency says it is looking for “information leading to the arrest of those responsible for damaging gravestones at Tifereth Israel Cemetery and Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Cemetery in Cincinnati.”

Over the last week, vandals in the Ohio city damaged or knocked over 176 gravestones at the two historic cemeteries.

Some of the targeted gravestones dated back to the 1800s and many were cracked by the attack.

In a joint statement earlier this week, the local Jewish federation, Jewish Community Relations Council, and Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati called it an “act of antisemitic vandalism.”

Most of the graves were pushed facedown, which Jewish groups said made it difficult to identify and notify the families, as local law enforcement has advised them to leave the scene untouched while they investigate.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency contributed to this report.

Conservative defector wins first-ever Reform UK seat in parliament

Nigel Farage’s right-wing populist Reform UK party wins its first parliamentary seat in the British election in the early hours of Friday, with Lee Anderson retaining a seat he won in 2019 when he was a member of the Conservative Party.

Anderson defected to Reform earlier this year and ran again as the party’s candidate.

Likely key ministers in Starmer’s UK Labour government

File: British Labour Party politician David Lammy (2R) joins members of the Jewish community holding a protest against Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, outside the British Houses of Parliament in central London on March 26, 2018. (AFP/Tolga Akmen)

With Labour predicted to become the biggest party in the UK parliament, here are the contenders for the most prominent ministerial positions.

Deputy Prime Minister: Angela Rayner

Rayner, 44, is an outlier in a country long dominated by a ruling class disproportionately educated at private schools and Oxford and Cambridge universities.

She grew up in social housing in northern England, left school without a degree and became a single mother at 16.

A trade unionist before being elected to parliament in 2015, she was elected as Labour’s number two in 2020.

Her left-wing background and straight-talking style — complete with strong northern accent — contrasts with Starmer’s more staid public persona.

“He smooths off my rough edges. I bring him out of his shell,” she has famously said of their partnership.

As well as being deputy prime minister — filling in for Starmer at weekly parliamentary questions when he is unable to attend — Rayner would be responsible for housing policy and tackling regional inequalities.

Finance: Rachel Reeves

The former Bank of England economist is in line to become the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, living next door to Starmer at 11 Downing Street.

Reeves, 45, has called that prospect shattering “the last glass ceiling in politics”.

A central figure in Labour efforts over the last four years to regain the electorate’s trust on economic issues, she insists it is now “the natural party of British business”.

Using her reputation for economic competence, Londoner Reeves, whose younger sister is also an MP, has pledged “iron discipline” on public finances.

The former child chess champion, an MP since 2010, has vowed to be both “pro-worker” and “pro-business” in her role overseeing the public purse.

Foreign affairs: David Lammy

Lammy, 51, a black lawmaker descended from slaves, has honed his vision for UK diplomacy with dozens of foreign trips in the past two years.

He has argued that the foreign ministry needs to “rediscover the art of grand strategy” in the post-Brexit era.

Lammy, an MP since the age of 27 in 2000, is likely to steer Britain towards closer EU ties — no easy task with both Brussels and Eurosceptic Britons reticent.

He will also likely face pressure from Labour’s left flank over issues including its policy towards Israel and its war against Hamas in Gaza.

A friend of former US President Barack Obama, Lammy may also have to deal with the possible White House return of Donald Trump.

He once described Trump as a “neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath” and “profound threat to the international order”.

Home Affairs: Yvette Cooper

Cooper’s decades of political experience will undoubtedly be sorely tested heading the Home Office — Britain’s interior ministry — a notoriously hard government department to succeed in.

An MP since the late 1990s and a minister in the 2000s, Cooper, 55, has been Labour’s home affairs spokesperson over two stints during its 14 years in opposition.

A candidate to be party leader in 2015, plaudits credit her grasp of policy and details as well as stellar communication skills.

Immigration — a major election campaign issue and potential weak point for Labour — will likely dominate much of the public discussion around her brief.

Health: Wes Streeting

A fresh-faced Labour centrist, Streeting has been one of the most visible Labour figures during the election campaign.

Hailed as one of its best communicators, the 41-year-old from a working-class background in east London is tipped as a potential future leader.

But first he will have to prove himself in one of the toughest jobs in UK government, charged with reversing the decline in the country’s cherished but ailing National Health Service (NHS).

Weighed down by years of austerity under the Conservatives and still struggling to recover from the pandemic, Streeting — a cancer survivor — will rely in part on his own experience of the system.

Defence: John Healey

Party veteran Healey is set to become defense secretary as the policy area gains importance given the war in Ukraine and rising global insecurity.

The 64-year-old, who first became an MP in 1997 when Tony Blair won power for Labour, held a series of government posts during the party’s 13-year spell in charge.

Labour has promised to increase military spending to 2.5 percent of GDP (from 2.3 percent this year) “as soon as” economic conditions allow.

Farage’s right-wing Reform party breaks through in UK election with strong early showing

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, waves from inside a jeep at the end of an electoral rally at Clacton Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, England, July 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

LONDON – Reform UK, the right-wing populist party led by Nigel Farage, looks set to emerge as a new force in British politics, with an election exit poll on Thursday predicting it would win 13 seats, and early results showing it was squeezing the Conservative vote.

Farage, a driving force behind Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, only entered the election race last month, a move that caused shockwaves in a Conservative Party that was already far adrift of center-left Labour.

In the first three results to be declared, Labour won comfortably, with Reform finishing in second place and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives pushed into third.

It took 29% and 27% of the vote in the first two counts, prompting Farage to say: “That is way more than any possible prediction or projection, it’s almost unbelievable.”

Farage’s party aims to shake up British politics as Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is doing in France by taking a tough line on immigration, demanding that illegal migrants arriving in small boats from France are sent back.

That would be difficult to achieve, but by focusing on the issue, it has targeted a weak spot for the Conservatives, which have failed to “stop the boats” as promised by Sunak.

The Conservative plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda also failed to get off the ground before the election was called.

Polling company Savanta’s Political Research Director Chris Hopkins said if the exit poll was right, it would be a “dream scenario” for Farage.

“He’ll be rubbing his hands with glee,” he said. “He’s got enough MPs (lawmakers) to make a racket in Westminster, and the party he shares the closest political space with could be reduced to a long period of soul searching.

“It could be that Reform UK is second in a huge number of seats.”

23-year-old killed in shooting in Nazareth, two others seriously injured

A 23-year-old in the northern Israel city of Nazareth was shot and killed a short while ago, and two others — aged 21 and 24 — were seriously injured, Hebrew media reports.

According to reports, the three were targeted in an incident that the police are treating as “criminal,” indicating that they don’t suspect a terror-related motive.

An investigation has been opened and a search for the perpetrators of the shooting is underway, reports added.

Keir Starmer, set to become UK PM, thanks all who put trust ‘in our changed Labour Party’

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer and wife Victoria arrive at a polling station to cast their vote in the UK general elections, in London, July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

LONDON – Labour Party leader Keir Starmer tweeted his appreciation to party campaigners and voters soon after TV exit polls late Thursday showed that he will be Britain’s next prime minister and that Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives would suffer historic losses.

Centre-left Labour was on course to capture 410 of the 650 seats in parliament, an astonishing reversal of fortunes from five years ago when it suffered its worst performance since 1935.

The result would give Labour a majority of 170 and would bring the curtain down on 14 years of increasingly tumultuous Conservative-led government.

“To everyone who has campaigned for Labour in this election, to everyone who voted for us and put their trust in our changed Labour Party – thank you,” Starmer said on X.

Starmer took over the leadership of Labour from the far-left Jeremy Corbyn, an anti-Israel MP under whose stewardship antisemitism thrived in Labour. Corbyn led the party to a stinging election defeat in 2019, and was suspended from Labour a year later.

Sunak’s party was forecast to only win 131 seats, the worst electoral performance in its history, as voters punished it for a cost-of-living crisis, and years of instability and in-fighting which has seen five different prime ministers since the Brexit vote of 2016.

The centrist Liberal Democrats were predicted to capture 61 seats while the right-wing populist Reform UK party, headed by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage who had pledged to destroy the Conservative party, was forecast to win 13.

Boxes of votes are emptied ready to be counted for the British Parliamentary constituency of Holborn and St Pancras where the Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is standing for election, in London, July 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

The prediction for Reform was far better than expected, and the party comfortably took second place behind Labour in the first two seats to declare their results, pushing the Conservatives into third place.

“Much of the damage to the Conservative Party tonight is being done by Reform, even if it is the Labour Party that proves to be the beneficiary,” John Curtice, Britain’s most respected pollster told the BBC.

However, the exit poll suggests overall British voters have shifted support to the center left, unlike in France where Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party made historic gains in an election last Sunday.

It was not just the Conservatives whose vote was predicted to have collapsed. The pro-independence Scottish National Party was forecast to win only 10 seats, its worst showing since 2010, after a period of turmoil that has seen two leaders quit in little over a year.

“If this exit poll is correct, then this is a historic defeat for the Conservative Party, one of the most resilient forces that we have seen in British political history,” Keiran Pedley, research director at Ipsos, which carried out the exit poll, told Reuters.

“It looked like the Conservatives were going to be in power for 10 years and it has all fallen apart.”

Biden tells supporters at White House Independence Day celebration that he’s ‘not going anywhere’

President Joe Biden speaks during a barbecue with active-duty military service members and their families on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

US President Joe Biden vows to keep fighting despite calls for him to bow out of the 2024 election race, saying at an Independence Day celebration at the White House that he’s “not going anywhere.”

The 81-year-old president, responding to a supporter who told him to “keep up the fight,” says: “You got me man. I’m not going anywhere.”

Disney heiress says she will halt donations to Democrats until Biden drops out of race

Abigail Disney, granddaughter of Walt Disney who founded the company that bears his name DIS.N, will halt donations to the Democratic Party until President Joe Biden steps down from the 2024 US presidential election race, the heiress tells CNBC.

Biden has repeatedly said he will not do so, although since his performance in the first presidential debate he has faced growing calls to step down from the Democratic nomination for president ahead of the November 5 election against presumed Republican candidate former President Donald Trump, who Biden defeated in 2020.

Abigail Disney has not immediately returned calls seeking further comment.